Paralegal

Organization Background & Mission

The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe trace their roots to St. Francis of Assisi, who in 1206 A.D. renounced his wealth and social status in favor of a life dedicated to God and the service of the poor and marginalized. His life and ministry inspired other men to join him and become the first Franciscan friars. Today, the Order of Friars Minor (or the Order of Little Brothers, in English) comprises more than 100 provinces (administrative groupings by region) located around the world.

As an order of the Roman Catholic Church, the Gospel life of the friars has four central tenants: 1) a commitment to a life of prayer 2) a commitment to live as “lesser ones” in service to others 3) a commitment to the creation of a brotherhood of mutual care for all the brothers of the Order and 4) a commitment to “go about the world” and serve all peoples, no matter who they are, as heralds of God’s love and peace.

The Role

Under the direction of the General Counsel, you will support canonical and civil legal needs of the newly formed Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with special attention to legal research, contract review and contract drafting across all areas of law and operations. The role has the opportunity to promote to a Staff Attorney position upon passing the Bar Exam and admittance to the Bar of any U.S. State.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct legal research and analysis on discrete issues pertaining to the Province’s operations
• Review and provide analysis of a wide range of contracts for final review and assessment by the General Counsel
• Draft contracts under the supervision and direction of the General Counsel
• Assist in the management of and coordination with outside legal counsel
• Support the General Counsel with strategic initiatives and operational needs of the Province, including but not limited to due diligence, transaction structuring, corporate governance, and regulatory filings
• Assist the General Counsel with the administrative needs of the Office of Legal Affairs, including but not limited to maintaining, organizing, and managing legal files and archives

Required Qualifications and Attributes

• A J.D. degree (aspiring for Staff Attorney upon admittance to the Bar), with a preference of 1 – 2 years work experience
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact in a caring manner with members of the religious community
• Experience working at a law firm or other in-house legal department as a paralegal, legal assistant, or legal intern, with a preference for non-profit work, corporate work, and exposure to the areas of real estate, employment, and corporate governance
• Excellent communication skills, including strong writing abilities
• Strong analytical skills, solid judgment and ability to identify and manage risk
• Strong project management, organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and multi-task.
• Creative approach to problem-solving and process improvement
• Strong analytical ability and implementation skills
• Self-directed work style
• Strong initiative and a get-it-done attitude
• Proven ability to develop and nurture work relationships
• Customer service oriented, as demonstrated by strong attention to detail, organization and ability to prioritize work tasks and manage deadlines based upon internal and external need

Diversity & Inclusion

Franciscan values do not merely accept differences, they celebrate them. The Provincial community celebrates, supports, and thrives in the rich and diverse expressions and experiences of our partners in ministry as we demonstrate our spirituality and charism for the benefit of all people, particularly the underserved and marginalized. The Province is committed to creating and nurturing an environment of mutual respect rooted in the inherent dignity of every person.