Paralegal – Construction (Project Engineer)

Lane Powell has nearly 150 years of experience serving as a strategic business advisor and legal counsel to premier public and private companies. Our lawyers work with a venerable list of clients in the Pacific Northwest and around the globe — from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and startups — and we take great pride in serving not only as their trusted legal counsel, but also as their partners in business.

Position Summary

This position is for a construction-specific paralegal to work in Lane Powell’s top-ranked Construction Practice Team.  Responsibilities include working with team members on substantive review, analysis, and organization of construction project records for large, complex construction disputes, drafting documents and pleadings, and providing a key role alongside attorneys in trial preparation and arbitrations. Other duties may include managing construction contract review and documentation. We are looking for a team player who fosters positive interactions and seeks a dynamic, collaborative work environment. The ideal candidate for this role has 5 years or more experience in the construction industry in a role focused document review (Project Engineer or similar roles) OR the candidate will have 5 years or more experience as a paralegal handling construction matters. This is a full time position that may require overtime and travel. The Construction Practice Team works in the Seattle office and this position will require at least 3 days a week in the office, working with team members.

Essential Functions

• Maintains primary responsibility for the content, organization and maintenance of complex project records, case files, and throughout all phases of the pre-litigation and post-litigation dispute process, including data intake, analysis of documents, identifying key records, and production tracking logs.
• Performs statistical and factual research on complex construction matters (pre-litigation and during litigation or arbitration), including review of documents and public records, prepare case chronologies, analyze and/or summarize documents, and other factual information related to legal issues.
• Drafts or creates case related documents and pleadings.
• Manages and assists in construction contract tracking, review, and documentation. Willing to learn standard form construction documents for client use.
• Works with the firm’s Discovery Services Manager or Office Administrator when helpful/needed, and keeps team apprised of current workload and issues.
• Follows all Firm policies and procedures including those related to security, time entry, reporting, and attendance.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years minimum in the construction industry as a Project Engineer or working as a paralegal on construction matters.

• Basic knowledge of software and hardware with an emphasis on document review and management tools.
• Strong verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills required. Ability to communicate well with team members, others in the Firm, and clients of different skill levels.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced organizational skills, a self-starter mindset, highly motivated, and values attention to detail/commitment to excellence.
• Demonstrated interest in and/or experience in the construction industry.
• Knowledge of software and litigation support applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, and other such programs that the Firm may acquire to assist with litigation support, or a willingness to learn such programs.
• Ability to work and communicate professionally in a consultative and collaborative manner, both internally and externally with clients, attorneys, and co-workers. Respond to inquiries quickly and accurately.
• Ability to write clearly and informatively, and edit work for errors.
• Ability to make well-reasoned decisions and utilize good judgement by gathering enough information to allow for a trustworthy assessment of risks and benefits.
• Able to work independently and to prioritize incoming jobs.
• Able to work in high stress, high stakes situations and under stringent timelines to deliver accurate, timely, work product.
• Ability to handle sensitive or difficult issues with confidence and professionalism.

Hours / Schedule / Location:

• 37.5 hours per week / Monday through Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM / Seattle office
• This is a full-time, non-exempt position that requires regular and predictable attendance. Overtime may be required during periods of high demand.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week in the Seattle office
• Infrequent travel may be required for cross-office projects
• This position reports directly to the Discovery Services Manager

Salary Range:

• $85,000 - $113,000 annually

Other Compensation:

• Other compensation may include bonuses, profits sharing, HSA employer contributions, prizes and gifts

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, and Life and AD&D insurance, additionally we offer voluntary accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance plans
• 401(k) Retirement and Profit Sharing plan
• Paid Time Off - we offer PTO starting at 18 days annually for employees that accrues per pay period

Pre-Employment Screening

• Any job offer will be conditional upon successfully completing a pre-employment background screening and reference check.  

Lane Powell PC is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications for employment from qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds. If you need reasonable accommodations to apply for any position, please let us know. All employment decisions, practices and procedures are carried out without regard to gender, race, color, religion, national origin, political ideology, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or any other applicable legally protected status. This policy applies to all personnel activities including employment, promotion, transfer, compensation and termination.