Exempt Organization Paralegal - Washington, D.C.

JOB TITLE: Paralegal 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DIVISION: Exempt Organizations (EO)

REPORTS TO: Attorneys/Firm Administrator

SUMMARY:  Under attorney supervision, the Exempt Organizations paralegal will perform a variety of duties to assist attorneys to provide services to clients by performing tasks that require substantive knowledge regarding the matters to which they are assigned.  The ideal applicant will have a strong interest in working with nonprofit organizations and, ideally, experience in doing so; or alternatively, experience in corporate or transactional practices. All applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, the ability to track and manage various deadlines, and the ability to work as a team player. 

Interested candidates, please send your resume to Karla Monroe at kmonroe@capdale.com.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  These are primarily job duties that the EO paralegal must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable assistance or training provided by the Firm.

• Formation/Incorporation and Organization of Tax-Exempt Corporations: Checks availability and reserves corporate name. Prepare and file articles of incorporation and takes other action required for incorporation under state law. Drafts other organizational documents, bylaws, notices, resolutions, consents and minutes of meetings. Drafts and files various federal and state forms, including IRS Form 1023 and 1024 applications for exemption and state-level tax exemption applications and charitable and doing-business registrations and annual fillings. Drafts and circulates board resolutions and other documents for client review and signature. Serves as point of contact for clients for professional registered agent service providers.
• Other Corporate Matters: Assists attorney in drafting various agreements. Drafts and files documents to amend the corporate charter. Prepares and files annual reports with state authorities. Assists with dissolutions. Manages tracking systems to ensure timely corporate filings and charitable solicitation renewals across all U.S. jurisdictions.
• Trademark: Supports the firm’s trademark practice, including performing trademark searches in USPTO database, drafting, filing, and docketing USPTO trademark applications and trademark maintenance filings, creating specimens of use, managing databases, utilizing trademark docketing system, and performing investigative research.
• Cooperates with Team Efforts: Provides assistance to other Paralegals as time permits. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with other departments and individuals in the firm. Attends Paralegal Department meetings, as well as weekly Exempt Organizations Practice Group meetings.
• Productivity: Prepares and submits time sheets on a timely basis. The EO Paralegal is rarely required to work overtime, but from time to time, other practice groups may need additional paralegal overtime assistance.

Qualifications and Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree required with minimum 5–7 years of relevant paralegal experience, ideally in exempt organizations/nonprofit or corporate law. Experience with trademark filings and maintenance and USPTO filing system and search database is a plus.
2. Ability to proofread material for contextual, grammatical, typographical and/or spelling errors, and the ability to write effectively and efficiently. Exceptional attention to detail is required
3. Ability to conduct legal and factual research and prepare supporting memoranda
4. Exceptional organizational and file management skills, including familiarity with document management systems
5. Ability to multitask, manage filing deadlines, and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints
6. Ability to work independently. The EO Paralegal works under general attorney supervision and must exercise a moderate to advanced level of discretion and independent judgment.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with clients, government agencies, and vendors on behalf of attorneys, and observe confidentiality of client matters.
8. The ideal candidate will be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, DocuSign, and a variety of legal databases, including Bloomberg Forms and the CompuLaw trademark docketing system.

*Note:  The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered fosters an inclusive culture that celebrates different ideas, social identities, and experiences.  The Firm is committed to attracting and developing professionals from all backgrounds.