Paralegal

Vanderbilt University - Nashville, TN

Full-time

Nashville, TN

Educational Services

About the position

The Paralegal position at Vanderbilt University is an integral part of the Legal Clinic within the Law School, providing essential legal administrative support to both faculty and students. This role involves assisting students with various legal tasks, including legal formatting and filing procedures, conducting legal research, scheduling meetings and hearings, and preparing subpoenas and other legal documents as required. The Paralegal will also serve as the primary administrative support for the Trial Advocacy Program and will be responsible for interpretation and translation during many client meetings. Reporting directly to the Legal Clinic Manager, this position plays a crucial role in the operation of 7-8 live client legal clinics, the International Practice Lab, and other clinical legal education opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience in the legal field. The Legal Clinic provides students with the opportunity to learn both the theory and practice of law in a real-world context. Under the expert guidance of law faculty, students assume the role of lawyers, working with actual clients and on real cases. This hands-on experience helps them develop their legal skills and understand the complexities of the legal system, while also fostering an appreciation for professional responsibility. The Paralegal will be involved in various key functions, including performing legal research using databases such as Lexis, assisting with research projects, providing general administrative support, maintaining client databases, and preparing legal documents such as motions, orders, and pleadings. Additionally, the Paralegal will assist clinical faculty members and students in trial preparation, maintain faculty calendars, and support the Trial Advocacy Program by coordinating mock trials and class materials. This position requires a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as Vanderbilt University values a diverse community that celebrates differences and promotes individuality. The Paralegal will contribute to this mission by supporting a diverse range of clients and students, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected within the legal clinic environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research using Lexis or other databases and the USPTO website, Metro Caselink, and Federal PACER databases.
• Assist with research projects or special projects, which are often lengthy, technical, and complex.
• Provide general administrative support for the department, including receiving and distributing mail, answering phones, and handling confidential client records.
• Draft correspondence for faculty/student attorney signature and maintain client database and student attorney time-keeping records.
• Assist with class materials and preparation, including ordering textbooks and maintaining class materials on Brightspace.
• Perform notary public services and provide instructional support for clinical professors.
• Assist with creating and organizing the yearly clinical newsletter, including obtaining submissions and formatting.
• Assist with requesting background checks from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations for clients and acquiring copies of records from court clerks.
• Assist with preparation of legal documents such as motions, orders, pleadings, briefs, discovery, and contract leases.
• Prepare pleadings, format them per court requirements, and file documents with the courts as necessary.
• Assist in trial preparation by scheduling meetings and depositions, drafting letters for subpoenas, and organizing documents for court hearings.
• Maintain clinical faculty calendars, scheduling meetings, court appearances, and client meetings as needed.
• Provide primary administrative support to the Trial Advocacy Program, including secretarial duties for adjunct faculty and coordinating mock trials.
• Assist clinical faculty members with non-clinical courses and pro-bono immigration cases, maintaining client binders and digital files.
• Back-up administrative support to the externship program.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or GED is necessary.
• A Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in the legal field or relevant industry is necessary.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with legal research databases such as Lexis and PACER.
• Familiarity with court filing procedures and requirements.
• Proficiency in Spanish for interpretation and translation tasks.