Miguel A. Elias, P.L.C.
Miguel A. Elias, P.L.C., a mid-sized Kenner immigration law firm that serves the New Orleans metropolitan area, is seeking a bilingual immigration paralegal. The ability to read, speak, and write in Spanish is required. The paralegal will work along-side attorneys, helping them to acquire information needed to prepare for hearings, closings, trials, and corporate meetings. The paralegal must be able to handle a file from intake to trial with little supervision. Knowledge of Immigration Law is highly recommended. The firm is willing to train, but the ideal candidate will have some experience in Immigration Law and be bilingual in English and Spanish. Benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance, and 401k are available. A relocation allowance will be provided with a 2-year commitment.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Organizing documents and coordinating document productions, including the redaction, duplication, and indexing of documents.
Setting up and maintaining files, which are organized chronologically, numerically and/or by subject matter.
Working with Practice Support on electronic productions.
Under the guidance of an attorney, categorizing documents by subject matter, preparing a chronology of facts, and creating production charts.
Conducting various document searches and factual research.
Creating and maintaining internal case databases, running searches on internal and external document databases and systems, and culling relevant information from a variety of resources such as newspapers, magazines, libraries, case documents, Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, and other legal search engines.
Preparing discovery and matter materials for case preparation.
Scheduling office appointments for clients.
Answering discovery, drafting discovery responses and other relevant documents for attorney review and case preparation (including but not limited to subpoena duces tecums).
Preparing for depositions and, under attorney supervision, gathering and preparing documents relevant to the deponent, organizing exhibits and digesting transcripts to summarize highlights of a proceeding.
Motion practice: Under attorney supervision, pulling relevant documents, proofreading papers, organizing exhibits and creating document indices in preparation for motion filing.
Drafting and defending summary judgments.
Preparing initial pleadings and following up on service.
Under attorney supervision, analyzing information, investigating facts, drafting initial pleadings (including but not limited Petition for Damages and Concursus), and following up on perfection of service on defendants.
Court filings: Working with attorneys and the Managing Attorney's Office in the preparation and filing of all court documents.
Creating, binding, and distributing both file and courtesy copies. Organizing the briefs, exhibits and appendices.
E-filing both federal and state judicial documents.
Acting as liaison among various internal departments and with outside agencies.
Overseeing the progress of documents through litigation support departments, ordering transcripts from reporting services, and fulfilling requests from outside counsel and others.
Preparing for trials. Organizing exhibits, files, and all other supporting documents; coordinating trial set-up and logistics; assisting attorneys in the courtroom by taking notes, handling exhibits, and marking documents referenced by counsel; assisting in the preparation of witness testimony; and serving as liaison between trial attorneys and in-house staff.
Additional duties. Supervising and delegating responsibilities to Junior Paralegals and/or Legal Secretaries.
Answering phones, scanning, copying, printing, faxing, and any other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
- B.A. or B.S. degree in Paralegal Studies is preferred;
- A minimum of 2 years of Paralegal experience and a Paralegal Certificate required;
- Advanced knowledge in immigration law;
- Superior organizational and time management skills;
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to delegate and supervise;
- Must be a team player as well as be able to work independently.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
If you are interested and meet the qualifications, please send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample via email to HR Assistant Elana Williams. Email only. No Phone calls, please.