Senior Paralegal and Legal Ops Specialist

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) • Houston, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This dual-role position combines advanced paralegal expertise with strategic
legal operations responsibilities, supporting the legal department through
managing key projects, matter organization, and ensuring operational efficiency.
This role requires a high degree of collaboration, discretion, and technical
proficiency.

Requirements

• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Advanced proficiency in legal research, document drafting, and operational processes.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint.
• Experience with matter management systems such as SharePoint and Legal Tracker.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to liaise effectively between internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with utmost discretion and confidentiality.
• Associate degree (accredited) with Paralegal emphasis, or in lieu of degree, High School Diploma (accredited) or GED (accredited) and two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Ten (10) years of previous legal experience (in addition to education requirements)
• A.B.A. Approved Paralegal Certificate.
• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge with Microsoft office products.
• Ideal candidate must have strong oral and written communication skills.
• Highly detailed oriented.
• Experience with case or matter management systems and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Legal Hold Management: Draft and issue legal holds for matters handled by the VP of Litigation. Assist other attorneys in drafting and issuing legal holds. Manage custodian responses and send reminders to unresponsive custodians. Review custodian responses and assist with document collection.
• Engagement Letters: Manage the Legal Department’s Engagement Letter process by drafting and facilitating the execution of engagement letters (internally and externally), ensuring full compliance with legal and operational standards. Collaborate with the VP of Litigation to negotiate requested edits or changes to engagement terms.
• Service of Process (SOP): Provide backup support for SOPs as needed.
• Class Action Settlement Filings: Review class action settlements for WM claims. Collaborate internally to collect information needed to prepare and file required documentation for class action settlements.
• Matter Management: Utilize Legal Tracker matter management system to open new matters, review outside counsel invoices, and review/track budgets. Provide backup for the matter intake process.
• Reserve / Audit Reports: Collaborate with VP of Litigation to provide quarterly litigation updates in Legal Tracker. Generate and prepare Reserve and E&Y reports using Legal Tracker.
• Board Presentations: Prepare and update litigation slides and materials for Board of Directors meetings.
• Special Projects: Manage and execute assigned special projects, leveraging organization and technical skills to achieve objectives.

Benefits

• At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
• As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more!
• Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days.
• Please note that benefits may vary by site.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree