Paralegal - Legal

Under the direction of the Vice President Associate General Counsel Government, the Paralegal - Legal role plays a key role in providing legal-related assistance and administrative support for different functional areas of the organization including government, litigation, real estate, employment & labor, transactions and intellectual property management, as applicable based upon individual experience and business needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads the locating, gathering, and sorting matter/case files and documentation in existing Legal databases. Conducts comprehensive legal research using texts or online databases (e.g. Westlaw, LEXIS and Internet), identify and analyze legal issues and case information, summarize and relay findings for further review. Assesses legal compliance and recommend viable alternatives to enhance business decisions. Assists attorneys when needed to draft and update charts, presentations, reports, and other documents. Keeps track of changes in the legal framework and provides timely updates on the changes to the requesting attorneys. Organizes, archives, and maintains important documents and advices - both physical and digital- and categorizes them as needed.
2. Collaborates with the Contract Administration team and provide timely support in the Legal department’s efficient delivery of contract management. Obtains all necessary and appropriate internal approvals for contract terms. Provides oversight of the contracting process and effectively communicate and respond to inquiries regarding contract terms and obligations. Maintains the systems for tracking, filing, and managing contracts.
3. Assists in managing complex assignments and larger-scope legal matters. Coordinates and monitors activities, initially evaluate and draft for attorney review diverse legal documentation including litigation answers, interrogatories, depositions, settlement agreements, and subpoenas, and correspondences such as letters, transmittals, and releases. Interviews and prepares witnesses for depositions and trials. Manages and processes settlement agreements and other litigation-related payments. Liaises with attorneys and cross-functional teams to coordinate document review and approval to ensure efficient process and case management.
4. Assists with the preparation of responses to civil demand letters and government agency charges and complaints, including initial review and response to government or third-party subpoenas for information and document requests.
5. Coordinates with internal stakeholders and external intellectual property counsel and assist in electronic filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as required. Monitors trademark applications and trademark deadlines. Assists in filing replies/requests for reconsideration during phases of the process. Provides periodic IP Portfolio reports as required.
6. Works with Legal staff and Legal Operations to define, design, and maintain legal databases and support systems. Actively participates in the implementation of Legal Management Systems as required.
7. Serves as key technology support for the attorneys and stay current on the use of hardware, software, and digital devices critical to the day-to-day performance of legal services.
8. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.
9. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related field such as legal studies, criminal justice, or political science is required.
• Minimum of five (5) of related experience as a paralegal or legal assistant, preferably in a large law firm and/or corporate in-house legal department is required.
• Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

• Extensive knowledge of legal system, including tribal, federal and state court systems and legislative and administrative systems and substantive and procedural civil law; the ability to identify sources of tribal, state and federal law.
• Excellent technical knowledge of computerized legal research systems, the Internet, word processing and spreadsheet software, and PowerPoint legal software applications and programs and ability to operate a personal computer; ability to develop search strategies, report formats and extract pertinent information.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Strong critical thinking and sound problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to use discretion and confidentiality and work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication, organizational, and documentation management skills.
• High level of personal integrity and professional ethics.
• Strong ability to interact diplomatically and with professional maturity with senior executives, staff, and external business partners.
• Time management planning and organizational skills and the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively under pressures of deadlines and established priorities.
• Positive, team-oriented, and collaborative attitude with a willingness to learn.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Smart Sheet) and Lexis-Nexis.
• Experience with online entity management systems, e-billing systems and Contract Lifecycle Management Systems are preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

• At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license.
• Paralegal certification required.
• Authorized Driver: Role requires operation or driving of Tribe-owned vehicles or driving patron vehicles. A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as determined by the insurance carrier is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING CONDITIONS – ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Primary work environment is in a climate-controlled office setting.
• Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences.
• Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
• Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Sedentary work: involves sitting most of the time. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person, via videoconference and over the telephone.
• Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone.
• Visual acuity that meets the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading and visual inspection of employees, visitors or facility.
• Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend and kneel, and enter, exit and operate a motor vehicle in the course of travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows and San Manuel properties.
• Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.
• The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles including secondhand smoke.

Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well-being of its employees. Join our team today!