Paralegal / Legal Assistant

About Lepore Law Lepore Law is a new and growing law firm devoted to representing homeowners associations, condominium associations, and other non\-profit organizations throughout Oregon and Washington. We serve as general counsel to over 120 associations, taking direction from and advising boards of directors. In doing so, we strive to be a “one\-stop shop” for our clients’ legal needs. Our work includes corporate governance, covenant enforcement, collections, litigation, foreclosures, contracts, elections, real estate matters, and day\-to\-day legal advice. Although the firm is new, our practice and most of our client relationships are well established. Our current team consists of the firm’s owner/partner attorney, an associate attorney, and two paralegal/legal\-support professionals working from different locations. We operate as a closely connected team through regular communication, shared systems, and modern technology. Our work is varied, practical, and meaningful. We help volunteer board members make sound decisions, resolve disputes, maintain common property and community amenities, enforce governing documents, and ensure that association expenses are allocated fairly among the owners who benefit from them. The Position We are seeking a highly organized, capable, and composed Paralegal / Legal Assistant to join our team. This is a true combined role. The successful candidate will perform substantive paralegal work while also taking primary responsibility for several essential legal\-assistant and client\-service functions. In particular, this person will generally serve as the first point of contact for people calling the firm. Responsibilities will include answering the firm’s main telephone line, routing calls, gathering information from prospective clients, scheduling consultations, responding appropriately to client questions, and handling initial communications from clients who may be concerned or upset about invoices or other issues. Our Hybrid Work Arrangement This position offers meaningful flexibility regarding where the employee works, provided that client needs, telephone coverage, incoming mail, deadlines, and office responsibilities are handled reliably. The firm’s owner lives and works in Bend, our associate attorney works remotely from Minnesota, and another paralegal works remotely from Beaverton. We rent a small and quaint office in Northwest Portland. We will accept candidates living in the Portland metro area or Central Oregon. The precise balance between office and remote work will be discussed during the interview process and may evolve as the firm grows. Primary Responsibilities Telephone, Intake, and Client Service Answering calls to the firm’s main office line during regular business hours; Determining the nature and urgency of incoming calls and routing them appropriately; Gathering initial information from prospective clients; Conducting preliminary conflict\-check intake; Scheduling consultations, meetings, hearings, depositions, and conference calls; Serving as an initial point of contact for existing clients; Responding professionally to clients who have questions or concerns about invoices; Documenting calls and ensuring that follow\-up assignments are communicated and completed; Communicating with association managers, board members, opposing counsel, courts, vendors, owners, and other parties; and Remaining calm, courteous, and professional during difficult or emotionally charged conversations. Paralegal and Legal Support Drafting correspondence, notices, resolutions, pleadings, discovery documents, and other legal materials under attorney supervision; Reviewing and organizing declarations, bylaws, rules, contracts, correspondence, financial records, and litigation materials; Preparing document summaries, chronologies, exhibits, and attorney work files; Assisting with association governance, covenant enforcement, collections, litigation, and foreclosure matters; Filing documents with Oregon and Washington courts; Monitoring court deadlines, response dates, hearing dates, and other important time requirements; Maintaining calendars, task lists, and matter\-management systems; Opening new matters and maintaining complete and orderly electronic files; Preparing engagement materials and routine client communications; Proofreading legal work for accuracy, grammar, formatting, and consistency; Assisting with billing, time\-entry review, document management, and administrative projects; and Identifying unfinished tasks, following up proactively, and helping ensure that commitments are completed on time. Collections and Debtor Communications A substantial portion of our practice involves collecting unpaid assessments on behalf of homeowners associations and condominium associations. This work may include demand letters, payment arrangements, lawsuits, lien enforcement, and judicial foreclosure proceedings. We are looking for a candidate who has: Prior experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, litigation assistant, administrative professional, or in a comparable professional\-services role; Excellent verbal communication and telephone skills; The ability to remain composed when speaking with frustrated, emotional, or angry callers; Excellent written communication, grammar, and proofreading skills; Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail; The ability to prioritize a substantial number of assignments and deadlines; The ability to work independently without continuous in\-person supervision; Comfort using modern office technology and learning unfamiliar systems; A professional, courteous, and solutions\-oriented communication style; and A willingness to ask thoughtful questions and follow assignments through to completion. Experience with civil litigation, real estate, collections, foreclosure, community\-association law, or Oregon and Washington court procedures is helpful but not required. Who Will Thrive in This Role This position may be an excellent fit for someone who: Enjoys supporting both litigation and advisory legal services; Is comfortable answering telephones; Can recognize when a matter requires immediate attorney attention; Can comfortably discuss collection of delinquent accounts with debtors; Enjoys autonomy and does not require a busy office environment to remain engaged; Takes ownership of responsibilities without waiting to be reminded; Notices details that others miss; Takes satisfaction in completing work accurately and on time; Communicates promptly when priorities conflict or additional direction is needed; Values teamwork, accountability, and mutual respect; and Wants to grow with a small firm and become an important long\-term member of the team. Please submit: A résumé; A brief cover letter explaining why this combined paralegal and legal\-assistant position interests you; and A writing sample or professional correspondence sample that reflects your own work. Lepore Law, LLC is an equal\-opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants and make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Pay: $55,000\.00 \- $70,000\.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) Free parking Health insurance Paid sick time Paid time off Professional development assistance Work from home Experience: Law office: 2 years (Required) collections or foreclosure: 1 year (Preferred) real estate or HOA law: 1 year (Preferred) * OR / WA state court procedure: 1 year (Preferred) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portland, OR 97209