Paralegal (Dallas, TX) - Austin Industries - Austin Professional Svcs, Inc.

Austin Industries is one of the nation’s largest, most diversified U.S.-based construction companies. With more than 7,000 employee-owners, Austin Industries provides nearly every type of civil, commercial and industrial construction services through the expertise of our operating companies: Austin Bridge & Road, Austin Commercial and Austin Industrial.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Paralegal professional to join the Legal Department at Austin Industries! The Paralegal will be responsible for providing paralegal assistance and support to the legal team at Austin Industries, working closely with all in-house attorneys and legal staff, as well as other professionals inside and outside the organization, as necessary.  This position reports to the Austin Industries General Counsel and is located in our corporate office located in Dallas, Texas. Please note this is not a remote work position.

Functional Areas of Responsibilities:

• Assist in-house attorneys with legal activities and functions across the entire organization, which include, without limitation, activities and/or functions involving contracts, risk management, compliance, project team support, corporate services support, labor and employment matters, litigation, and claims.
• Support corporate governance functions for Austin Industries and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, assisting with the preparation, collection, execution, and maintenance of corporate records (e.g., resolutions, meeting minutes, etc.), and interfacing with agent for service of process.
• Provide support for internal and external audits, internal and external investigations, pre-litigation claims/complaints, administrative matters, and litigation matters, including, without limitation, collecting relevant information/documents, organizing and maintaining information/documents collected, calendaring deadlines, and assisting with scheduling meetings, witness interviews, and depositions.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and assist with business licensing and registration for Austin Industries and its subsidiaries.
• Prepare, review, revise and format contracts, agreements, legal memoranda, and other documents, including proofreading, tracking changes between drafts, and identifying inconsistencies.
• Maintain a library of pre-approved form documents, contract clauses, templates, and historical documents, and add or revise material as needed.
• Assist in-house attorneys with legal due diligence, record searches, and legal research.
• Monitor and track status of government audits/investigations, pre-litigation claims/complaints, administrative matters, and litigation matters.
• Assist with preparation and filing of legal documents, including, without limitation, position statements, audit/investigation responses, pleadings, discovery, liens, indemnity bonds, agreements, and releases for in-house attorneys and outside counsel.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of electronic discovery (E-Discovery), coordinating and working closely with the IT Department, custodians, in-house attorneys, outside counsel, and E-Discovery vendors/consultants.
• Provide support pertaining to the engagement of outside counsel and consultants, including, without limitation, updating the Legal Department’s billing guidelines, assisting with the review, revision, and execution of engagement letters, and maintaining the foregoing records.
• Oversee and manage the Legal Department’s e-billing system and all invoicing for outside counsel and consultants.
• Manage the litigation hold process, coordinating with the IT Department and other personnel as needed.
• Assist with responding to insurance carrier information requests for employment matters and tracking of employment-related claims for insurance purposes.
• Assist with the development of training and/or presentations on legal topics, including, without limitation, employment law, construction law, contract law, and other construction related legal issues.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

• Associate degree required and/or Paralegal Certification from an ABA approved paralegal education program or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of paralegal experience with a law firm and/or in-house legal department. Knowledge and experience related to the construction industry (or a related industry such as architecture or engineering) is a plus.
• Strong technical, organizational, and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Experience drafting legal documents.
• Ability to meet the high expectations of a demanding work environment while maintaining independence and objectivity.
• Highly organized and very detail-oriented individual.
• Ability to work autonomously, efficiently, and proactively on multiple projects under tight deadlines while maintaining a commitment to quality.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately consult with or seek attorney review when necessary.
• Sharp, resourceful, dedicated individual with strong work ethic.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to relate to a diverse workforce.
• The desire to constantly grow and learn. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and PDF editing software.
• Familiarity with Pacer, Westlaw, and ability to search court records.
• Familiarity with use of contract management software a plus, but not required.
• Familiarity with e-discovery protocol and process strongly preferred.
• Must be able to spend significant amounts of time working in front of a computer.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

Benefits & Compensation

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K plan. We are proud to be a 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)! To learn more about our employee-ownership structure, please go to https://www.austin-ind.com/our-company/100-employee-owned.

Austin Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

See the “Know Your Rights” poster available in English and Spanish.

See the “Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision” poster available in English and Spanish.

About Austin Industries

Austin Industries and its operating companies engage in almost every type of civil, commercial and industrial construction. Austin is owned entirely by its employees through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Austin Industries has a rich history. We are one of the largest and most diversified construction firms in the nation. Austin stands on the core values of Uncompromising Integrity, Employee-ownership, Exemplary Service and Excellence in Safety. To learn more about our history, culture and operations, visit us at www.austin-ind.com.

No Third-Party Inquiries Please

This Company does not accept and will not consider unsolicited resumes or any other unsolicited candidate information submitted to the Company or any of its employee-owners by staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters in response to a posted vacancy. The Company will not pay any placement fee(s) without a written agreement to do so (i.e., payment must be required pursuant to the terms of a written agreement). 

Any unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted to this Company or any of its employee-owners becomes the property of the Company. 

Accessibility Note

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Team at (877) 831-1217.

Experience

• 3 year(s): + of paralegal experience with a law firm and/or in-house legal department.

Education

• Associates or better