Litigation Paralegal

Cotten Schmidt is a dynamic, collaborative, and tech-forward firm headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with additional offices in New Orleans, Corpus Christi, and Houston. From Fortune 500 companies to emerging businesses and international investors, we handle complex commercial litigation and transactional matters with creativity and collaboration. We are seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join our growing team and support trial‑ready attorneys across multiple offices.

What You’ll Do

• Own the litigation lifecycle – manage cases from initial intake through verdict, judgment, or settlement.
• Master the calendar – track and meet all federal and state court deadlines.
• Draft & file – prepare pleadings, motions, discovery requests/responses, and other court filings; e‑file in state and federal courts.
• Command discovery – collect, organize, review, and produce documents; maintain Relativity, LiveNote, or similar databases.
• Prepare for the spotlight – coordinate depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials; create exhibit and witness binders, trial notebooks, indices, and demonstratives.
• Proof & cite‑check – ensure briefs and discovery are polished, accurate, and properly cited.
• Collaborate with vendors – manage service providers for e‑discovery, trial graphics, court reporting, and courtroom technology.
• Travel & flex – attend trials/arbitrations and work overtime when deadlines demand.
• Keep us organized – enter time daily, follow firm procedures, and contribute to process improvements.

What You Bring

• Education – Bachelor’s degree preferred; ABA‑approved paralegal certificate ideal.
• Experience – 5 years as a litigation paralegal (commercial litigation or insurance defense a plus).
• Rule mastery – deep knowledge of Texas & Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and e‑filing protocols.
• Tech fluency – Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, e‑discovery platforms and cloud document management platforms (preferably NetDocs).
• Project savvy – proven ability to juggle multiple matters, anticipate needs, and meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Communication – crisp writing, clear verbal skills, and confident interaction with lawyers, clients, courts, and vendors.
• Analytical edge – strong reasoning, issue‑spotting, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Team mindset – collaborative spirit with the poise to work across offices and practice groups.
• Integrity & discretion – commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics.

Why Cotten Schmidt

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k) match, and paid time off
• Genuine collegial culture—no stuffy hierarchy, open doors, and supportive leadership
• Meaningful responsibility on high‑profile matters from day one
• Professional development and continuing education support

Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.