Paralegal (Labor & Employment)

Basic Function

The Paralegal (L&E) primarily supports the Labor & Employment practice section in all facets including litigation support, legal file intake and maintenance, client contact, scheduling, and other projects. Maintains strict confidentiality and discretion in all aspects of client representation. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with all applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Provides paralegal support primarily for the Labor & Employment practice section.  
• Assists in preparing and responding to all forms of discovery, scheduling, arranging depositions, ordering records, preparing, reviewing, analyzing, and organizing documents for labor/employment litigation matters.
• Performs state and federal law research, locates case law, statutory authority, administrative regulations, and other pertinent legal resources.
• Drafts responses to EEOC and state agency charges, memos, correspondence and other materials for review and finalization by assigned attorney.
• Tracks and maintains calendar to monitor and ensure compliance with court, statutory and other deadlines.
• Coordinates and maintains the schedule for assigned attorneys.
• Participates in all aspects of trial preparation, creates, and maintains trial notebooks, updates discovery, schedules and prepares witnesses, and files relevant pleadings. 
• Handles case intake and direct internal client communication.
• Assists in compilation of responses to requests under the Texas Public Information Act. 
• May be assigned to assist in other legal practice sections of the Legal department. 
• Works with Legal team to achieve annual and quarterly goals and objectives for the Legal Department.
• Works with the Legal team on assigned tasks including administrative support and file management as directed. 
• Participates in special projects as assigned both within the department and throughout the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
   

Education Requirement

High School Diploma or GED is required. Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.

Years & Experience Required

Minimum five (5) years’ experience as a paralegal to include litigation support, legal research, and writing. Labor and employment experience preferred.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Successful completion of Paralegal Certificate Program required. Working knowledge of on-line legal research and filing resources. Strong organization, writing and effective communication skills with the ability to interact with various departments at all levels of the organization and external parties. Must have extensive knowledge of state and federal rules of civil procedures and e-filling. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) required. Knowledge of practice procedures of various federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), state Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and related governmental agencies is preferred.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.