Most Baker Botts offices employ a three-tiered paralegal program consisting of paralegal clerks, paralegals and senior paralegals.

PARALEGAL CLERKS
These entry-level positions are typically filled by candidates with little or no legal experience. Many are recent college graduates who want exposure to the legal profession but don't want to enter law school or graduate school immediately. Other candidates include those individuals who are interested in a career as a paralegal and who would like to get training and experience. All clerks benefit from learning the practical aspects of trial preparation, corporate transaction preparation and contact with paralegals and lawyers. Typical assignments include indexing and coding documents, performing database searches, preparing trial notebooks and assembling closing binders.

PARALEGALS
Baker Botts maintains a low lawyer-to-paralegal ratio, which gives paralegals the opportunity for significant responsibility and professional growth. Our objective is for paralegals to increase their value by developing a specialized area of expertise. Our paralegals customarily draft documents, perform factual and legal research, assist at trials and in closings and have substantial client contact. Most paralegal positions require some prior experience as a paralegal or paralegal clerk.

SENIOR PARALEGALS
Senior paralegals are valued employees who have demonstrated exceptional performance and have at least five years of experience as a paralegal, with three of those years being at Baker Botts. Individuals promoted to senior paralegal are recognized for their leadership ability and often serve as case managers and trainers. Senior paralegals enjoy an enhanced benefits package and increased educational opportunities.