Paralegal
Job Description
Westland is headquartered in Long Beach, CA and believes in continually growing and expanding the Westland family while providing high-quality service and making a positive impact on each community we serve. Our company values are Family, Opportunity, Commitment and Results. Come and join the Westland team where growth is key!
Position Brief:
The Paralegal will assist attorneys in managing litigation as well as in supporting Westland business operations. A litigation paralegal plays a vital role in litigation practices and provides an essential level of support to attorneys. They often manage a high volume of cases while
working within strict deadlines, so the ability to work efficiently is crucial to success in this role.
Preferred Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field; or
- Certification from a legal assistant or paralegal program.
Essential Requirements:
- Strong organizational skills with extreme attention to detail.
- Ability to research case law and legal topics proficiently.
- Working familiarity with G-Suite (google), Microsoft Office, Westlaw or Lexis, litigation support software, and electronic document management systems.
- Comfortable working under pressure and tight deadlines.
- Effective communication skills to interact with attorneys, legal support staff, and other operational departments, while exercising discretion, good judgment and maintaining confidentiality of communications.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Adept at multitasking, prioritizing workload efficiently, and time management.
- Understanding of legal language and principals, including federal and California state court rules and procedures and research methods.
- A minimum of two years of experience in a paralegal role (experience with litigation and/or real estate is preferred).
Responsibilities:
- Conducting legal research related to the case and collating data and precedents.
- Assisting attorneys in drafting or proofing reading legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery.
- Coordinating with clients and gathering evidence, including documents, witness statements, and deposition transcripts.
- Managing court deadlines and ensuring that all court documents are filed accurately and timely, in accordance with all applicable judicial procedures.
- Organizing and maintaining case files, records, and databases.
- Assisting attorneys in preparing for trial, including coordinating court appearances, scheduling witnesses and experts, assembling trial exhibits, and creating presentation slides for oral arguments. Assisting during trial by handling exhibits, taking notes, reviewing trial transcripts, and enabling electronic presentation aids may be required in rare circumstances.
- Preparing for depositions and other legal proceedings.
- Assisting in negotiations and settlements with opposing counsel and parties.
- Assist in supporting operations, including drafting initial responses to escalated tenant complaints, requests for accommodation, and letters. Assist in investigations and preparation of responses to administrative investigations by such agencies as the California Civil Rights Department (Housing section) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Summarizing discovery, including interrogatories and
depositions, and preparing reports based on evidentiary materials.
- Investigating factual information and public records to ensure accuracy of legal filings.
The ideal candidate will be focused on our company’s growth and success. S/he is focused on our business during our core business hours, while understanding that pressing deadlines may require additional service on occasion.
Benefits:
Westland takes pride in its team members and proudly offers the following benefits:
- Medical (dependent coverage options as well)
- Dental (dependent coverage options as well)
- Vision (dependent coverage options as well)
- Life Insurances (dependent coverage options as well)
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- 401K with employer matching
- 6 Sick Days a year
- 10 Vacation Days a year to start
- Paid Holidays
- Rent Discounts and More!
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
All applicants being considered for employment must pass a background check, drug screening and any other applicable pre-employment screening.
Westland Real Estate Group is an equal opportunity employer.