Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Ag & Business Legal Strategies - Hiawatha, IA

Full-time - Entry Level

Hiawatha, IA

About the position

Ag & Business Legal Strategies is a boutique law firm located in Hiawatha, IA, dedicated to providing bespoke legal services to distressed organizations. We pride ourselves on being professional and agile, with a mission to assist business owners and farmers in navigating serious financial challenges. Our work environment is characterized by a modern office setting equipped with cutting-edge technology, comfortable surroundings, and ample free parking, making it easy for our team to commute and focus on their work. We are currently seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Paralegal or Legal Assistant to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in legal research, drafting, and interviewing, particularly in the areas of debt restructuring and bankruptcy. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a professional to contribute to a collaborative and fast-paced environment while honing their skills in legal document management, client service, and adherence to ethical standards in the practice of law. The Paralegal Assistant will perform duties under the supervision of one or more attorneys and will be managed by the Office Administrator. It is important to note that Paralegal Assistants are prohibited from practicing law as per the ABA's Rules of Professional Conduct and state bar association rules. All work performed must support and be directly supervised by an attorney, ensuring that client interactions do not inadvertently lead to unauthorized legal advice or actions.

Responsibilities

• Organizing and maintaining digital files, including saving documents submitted by clients.
• Docketing (scheduling) events in Clio's calendar to ensure all internal, court, and client-driven deadlines are met.
• Filling out legal forms, such as discovery plans, bankruptcy schedules, and other documents.
• Drafting legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, letters, and simple court documents.
• Writing reports and legal briefs to be reviewed by responsible attorneys before submission.
• Preparing trial exhibits, discovery requests, and responses to discovery requests.
• Preparing bankruptcy schedules from client-provided documents and obtaining necessary information directly from clients.
• Filing documents with various courts as required using CM/ECF for the federal system and EDMS for state courts.
• Assisting attorneys in preparing for hearings and trials, including preparing documents and organizing case files.
• Initial intake of potential new clients, using Clio Grow to record and transmit information to appropriate parties.
• Communicating with clients, outside attorneys, and other professionals to ensure cases progress smoothly and all necessary information is gathered.

Requirements

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• A degree in paralegal studies, law, or a related field OR a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
• Excellent communication and interviewing skills, with an ability to manage client interactions while adhering to ethical guidelines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Nice-to-haves

• 2 years' experience as a paralegal or in a related legal field.
• Proficiency in legal research, drafting, document management, and docketing.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance