Paralegal Specialist

Dow•Midland, MI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet. Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. About you and this role In this role, you will provide paralegal support on a wide range of legal topics, across all legal practice areas (excluding Litigation), as a member of the Core Legal Practices team with emphasis on demonstrated competencies such as work ethic; interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, communication, collaboration, and collegiality; initiative and judgment; interconnected thinking and action; and agility and continuous learning. Responsibilities This role includes a significant amount of agreement work and requires demonstrated experience, competence, and proficiency in contract/agreement processing, reviewing, reading for comprehension, summarizing, proposing, drafting, negotiating, redlining, amending, and utilizing defined terms, among other agreement work competencies. Interviewing candidates should expect to participate in short exercises to demonstrate skills in these areas. Review incoming client requests, proactively assess such requests for gaps or legal risk, and apply work process standards to complete such requests. Take initiative to ask follow-up questions when requests are ambiguous or lack key details or documents. “Know what you don’t know” and refer requests, as necessary, and/or in keeping with work process instructions. Utilize a combination of standards, context, experience, critical thinking, and judgment to achieve best outcomes. Communicate timely and professionally, and with critical thinking, common sense, anticipation, and empathy, to support easy, enjoyable, and effective experiences with internal and external stakeholders. Meet or exceed committed turnaround times and positively impact metrics for the team, department, and Company. Work autonomously and serve as a valued team member. Successfully balance individual success with that of the larger team. Back up team members and receive reciprocal back up. Participate actively and authentically in team discussions and team building events. Foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion through the many diverse perspectives, experiences, expertise, education, personalities, and roles found in a global department and company. Increase professional development through the large and varied books of work, fast pace, and high performance and productive environment that transcends all Legal department practice areas and geographies. Recognize and react with vigor to opportunities to gain knowledge and experience, as well as work more efficiently and effectively, while incorporating historical learnings, institutional knowledge, and strategic underpinnings. Utilize tools and technology that complement human resources and aid in working smarter, including the use of artificial intelligence and smart automation. Work with professional, successful, authentic, highly supportive, collegial, and fun colleagues with ‘better together’ team mindset and shared team priorities of candor, transparency, teaching, learning, cross-training, back-up support, ongoing self and team improvement, and pride in work and achievement.

Requirements

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree OR an associate's degree plus commitment to earn bachelor’s degree within three years OR relevant military experience at or above a U.S. E5 or Canadian Petty Officer 2nd Class or Sergeant ranking.
Ability to work in-office/on-site in Midland, MI, at least 4 business days per week. This is not a remote role.
Demonstrated experience, competence, and proficiency in contract/agreement processing, reviewing, reading for comprehension, summarizing, proposing, drafting, negotiating, redlining, amending, and utilizing defined terms, among other agreement work competencies. Interviewing candidates should expect to participate in short exercises to demonstrate skills in these areas.
A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.

Nice To Haves

Substantive experience in an agreement-focused role (e.g., legal, real estate, banking, or other contract work).
Experience working in a corporate legal department.
Experience in contract lifecycle management (CLM), specifically, drafting/negotiating/redlining within a CLM system.
Communication: Effective written and verbal communication and people skills, including the ability to communicate, negotiate, exercise versatility in style to meet others where they are at, and effectively persuade all levels of the organization, customers, and third parties.
Self-Starter: Ability to work well in a dynamic, complex, client- and team-focused environment with minimal oversight and an agile and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

Review incoming client requests, proactively assess such requests for gaps or legal risk, and apply work process standards to complete such requests.
Take initiative to ask follow-up questions when requests are ambiguous or lack key details or documents.
“Know what you don’t know” and refer requests, as necessary, and/or in keeping with work process instructions.
Utilize a combination of standards, context, experience, critical thinking, and judgment to achieve best outcomes.
Communicate timely and professionally, and with critical thinking, common sense, anticipation, and empathy, to support easy, enjoyable, and effective experiences with internal and external stakeholders.
Meet or exceed committed turnaround times and positively impact metrics for the team, department, and Company.
Work autonomously and serve as a valued team member.
Successfully balance individual success with that of the larger team.
Back up team members and receive reciprocal back up.
Participate actively and authentically in team discussions and team building events.
Foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion through the many diverse perspectives, experiences, expertise, education, personalities, and roles found in a global department and company.
Increase professional development through the large and varied books of work, fast pace, and high performance and productive environment that transcends all Legal department practice areas and geographies.
Recognize and react with vigor to opportunities to gain knowledge and experience, as well as work more efficiently and effectively, while incorporating historical learnings, institutional knowledge, and strategic underpinnings.
Utilize tools and technology that complement human resources and aid in working smarter, including the use of artificial intelligence and smart automation.
Work with professional, successful, authentic, highly supportive, collegial, and fun colleagues with ‘better together’ team mindset and shared team priorities of candor, transparency, teaching, learning, cross-training, back-up support, ongoing self and team improvement, and pride in work and achievement.

Benefits

Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals.
Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only). Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)