Paralegal

About Us

Shepherd is an AI-native, hybrid law firm built specifically for startups. We’re on a mission to democratize access to world-class legal services by combining AI with the judgement of great attorneys. We’re reimagining the traditional law firm- replacing slow, opaque, billable-hour legal services with speed, transparency and fairness- without sacrificing quality or integrity. Join us in building the first intelligent, accessible, modern law firm of the future.

The Opportunity

• We’re seeking a Founding Paralegal to help build and operationalize the legal engine behind Shepherd.
• This role sits at the intersection of legal services and technology—supporting attorneys while helping design systems that enable faster, more scalable legal delivery for startups. You’ll work directly with our founding legal and product teams to execute core legal workflows, improve internal processes, and ensure high-quality, efficient client service.
• This is a rare opportunity to help define how legal work gets done in a new model: AI-powered, attorney-guided legal services built specifically for startups.

What You'll Do

• Support attorneys across a wide range of startup legal matters, including contracting, employment, and fundraising
• Draft, review, and manage standard legal documents (NDAs, MSAs, employment agreements, SAFEs, etc.)
• Coordinate and manage end-to-end legal workflows, ensuring timely delivery and clear client communication
• Conduct legal research and assist in preparing client-facing materials and guidance
• Maintain organized document management systems and client records
• Interface directly with clients to collect information, track requests, and provide status updates
• Help implement and improve internal processes to increase speed, consistency, and quality of legal work
• Work closely with the product team to inform how legal workflows are translated into software
• Assist in building playbooks and templates that standardize and scale legal service delivery
• Support compliance and corporate governance processes across multiple client accounts

What We're Looking For

Required

• 2–5 years of experience as a paralegal, preferably in a law firm or startup environment
• Strong experience with legal documentation, drafting, and workflow management
• Familiarity with corporate, employment, and commercial contract processes
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, early-stage environment

Preferred

• Experience working with startups, venture-backed companies, or emerging companies
• Familiarity with fundraising processes (SAFEs, convertible notes, priced rounds)
• Exposure to legal tech tools or workflow automation platforms
• Experience supporting high-volume legal operations or alternative legal service models
• Interest in AI and how it can transform legal service delivery

Essential Qualities

• Operator mindset- You bring structure and efficiency to complex workflows
• Builder mentality- You’re excited to help design systems, not just execute tasks
• Detail-oriented- You take pride in producing high-quality, accurate work
• Client-focused- You understand the importance of responsiveness and clarity
• Adaptable- You thrive in an evolving, early-stage environment
• Mission-aligned- You’re excited to improve how legal services are delivered to startups

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation: $70,000–100,000 base salary
• Meaningful equity: Early-stage equity with significant upside potential
• Direct impact: Help build the operational foundation of a new legal model
• Founder collaboration: Work directly with the founding team and legal leadership
• Mission-driven work: Help modern startups access faster, more transparent legal services

Our Core Values

Be Bold & Take Intelligent Risks

We believe ambitious outcomes are possible. We explore unconventional ideas, test them rigorously, and act on the data- learning fast without distraction or comparison.

Demand Excellence

Mediocrity has consequences. We set the highest standard in our execution, judgement, and how we show up everyday- because excellence compounds.

Execute Relentlessly

Speed and urgency are habits that when modeled consistently and scaled through automation, become contagious across the team, the product, and our customers.

Earn Trust Through Action

Legal work runs on trust, not features. We earn trust by being responsive, transparent, and accountable to our customers- particularly when it’s uncomfortable.

Be a Good Person

We pair high standards with empathy and ambition with humanity. Respect and integrity are NOT separate from winning- they are how we win.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.