Paralegal

Under the direction of the Director of Legal Operations and designated attorneys, Paralegals play a key role in providing legal-related assistance and administrative support for different functional areas of the organization including government, litigation, real estate, employment and labor, transactions and intellectual property management, as applicable based upon individual experience and need.
The Paralegal role is an integral part of the Legal Department, supporting a team of attorneys and a legal operations team in enabling the efficient and effective delivery of legal services to Tribal government and enterprise partners. This Paralegal role offers an unparalleled opportunity to increase your professional network, gain valuable experience, and grow with the organization as we pursue strategic initiatives in 2022 and beyond.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Leads the locating, gathering, and sorting matter/case files and documentation in existing Legal databases. Conduct 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. Assess legal compliance and recommend viable alternatives to enhance business decisions. Assist attorneys when needed to draft and update charts, presentations, reports, and other documents.  Keep track of changes in legal framework and provide timely updates on the changes to the requesting attorneys. Organize, archive and maintain important documents and advice - both physical and digital, and categorize them as needed. 

2. Collaborate with the Contract Administration team and provide timely support in the Legal Department’s efficient delivery of contract management, including the initial stages in preparing, drafting, reviewing, revising, negotiating and posting to the existing contract repository business contracts such as NDAs, vendor agreements, consulting agreements, master services agreements and statements of work.  Coordinate with internal business partners regarding contract terms and appropriately escalate complex legal and compliance issues to attorneys and assist with resolution. Obtain all necessary and appropriate internal approvals for contract terms. Provide oversight of the contracting process and effectively communicate and respond to inquiries regarding contract terms and obligations. Maintain the systems for tracking, filing, and managing contracts.

3. Assist in managing complex assignments and larger-scope legal matters. Coordinate and monitor 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. Interview and prepare witnesses for depositions and trials.  Manage and process settlement agreements and other litigation-related payments. Liaise with attorneys and cross-functional teams to coordinate document review and approval to ensure efficient process and case management.

4. Assist with the preparation of responses to demand letters and government agency charges and complaints, including initial review and response to government subpoenas for information and document requests. 

5. Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external IP counsel and assist in electronic filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as required. Monitor trademark applications and trademark deadlines. Assist in filing replies/requests for reconsideration during phases of process. Provide periodic IP Portfolio reports as required.

6. Assist in legal matter lifecycle management with efficient document retention.  Collaborate with Legal Operations to track budget items, analyze outside counsel spend and enforce SMBMI’s billing requirements to ensure timely billing by the legal service providers.

7. Work with Legal Operations to define, design and maintain legal databases and support systems. Actively participate in the implementation of Legal Management Systems as required.

8. Serve 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.

9. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

Education/Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum five (5) of related experience as a paralegal or legal assistant preferably in a large law firm and/or corporate in-house legal department and/ or equivalent combination of education and experience.   
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational/experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the American legal system, including federal and state court systems and legislative and administrative systems and substantive and procedural civil law; the ability to identify sources of American law.
• Excellent technical knowledge of computerized legal research systems, the Internet, word processing and spreadsheet software, 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 and attention to detail.
• Strong critical thinking and sound problem solving skills.
• Must be able to use of 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.

Certificates/Licenses/Registrations

• At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license.
• A qualified candidate/employee must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as determined by the Tribe’s insurance carrier.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with 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!