Schroeder Law Offices, PC, has a Portland Paralegal Opening

Schroeder Law Offices, PC (SLO) is a boutique western regional law firm. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon and Reno, Nevada with satellite operations in Idaho, Washington, and Utah. SLO’s clients include domestic and agricultural users as well as water management organizations, cities, counties, and irrigation districts as well as individual farmers and ranchers since 1991.

The Portland Paralegal

Paralegals at SLO prepare basic legal documents and correspondence in both transactional and litigation matters, in state and federal court, and in government administrative agency proceedings, including contested case hearings.

Analytical and detailed oriented, paralegals will review uncover and request relevant documents in support of factual development of a client’s case often called upon to prepare attorneys for depositions, motions, trials and contested cases.  On the transactional side, paralegals assist in preparing due diligence reports and draft transactional documents for the purchase and sale of real property and water rights. They finalize documents and correspondence, priding themselves in producing flawless work product. Part of a small office, routine clerical and administrative duties are covered by all team members including attorneys and paralegals.

Ideal candidates have strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills and apply them to case management and docketing. They set priorities and have exceptional time management skills. Additionally, they must have proficient email, telecommunication, and video conferencing skills and may frequently interact with clients, courts, and administrative agencies. The position may involve travel to client sites or to other SLO locations. More about SLO may be found at www.water-law.com

The Portland Paralegal position requires:

• Knowledge and skills consistent with experience
• JD-Paralegal encouraged
• Skill in the Microsoft Office Suite and ability to master other software including TABS3 and NetDocuments
• Strong personal skills both in person, by video, and on the phone
• Related experience in water resource use, irrigation, agriculture, real property or title work
• Ability to lift a banker’s box of paper
• In-person at the Portland Office

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Simplified Retirement Plan (SEP) available with  3% Employer matching
• Health insurance for Employee
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Required)
• Paralegal: 3 years in legal field (Required)

Ability to Commute or Relocate:

• Portland, OR 97212 (Required)
• Portland, OR 97212: Relocate before starting work (Required)

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and relevant qualifications
• Resume
• List of three references: two legal and one personal

Email application materials to SLO Office Manager, Heather Allen at h.allen@water-law.com

Associate Attorney in Water Law and Real Property

Schroeder Law Offices, PC (SLO) is a boutique western regional law firm and a trusted leader in water rights and real property since 1991. With offices in Portland, Oregon and Reno, Nevada and satellites in Idaho, Washington, and Utah, SLO provides comprehensive water rights and real property legal services. Our transactional expertise includes farm and ranch due diligence, contract negotiation and preparation, state and federal permitting. We also litigate in state and federal courts and administrative forums to support our diverse clientele including domestic and agricultural users, cities, counties, irrigation districts, and water management organizations, as well as individual farmers and ranchers.

We are seeking an Oregon-licensed attorney with two years of experience to join our Portland office. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop a full-service practice in a highly specialized field while learning from domain experts. SLO provides clear advancement potential, extensive professional development opportunities, and the chance to work on impactful legal matters affecting small communities and agricultural producers of food and fiber across the western United States.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients with the opportunity for direct interaction with clients under the supervision of a shareholder or partner
• Monitor and manage diverse client tasks to ensure timely and accurate completion
• Develop transactional water rights solutions with thorough legal analysis and execution
• Litigate in administrative, state, and federal forums, including matters of first impression, from initiation through post-trial and appeals
• Delegate tasks effectively to support staff and maintain consistent communication on client matters
• Bill required hours daily, providing complete and accurate time narratives
• Bill a minimum of 1600 billable hours annually
• Travel to remote and rural areas as necessary or desired for client development and representation

Qualifications

• Active bar membership in Oregon. Admission in another jurisdictions is a plus
• Demonstrated interest in state law related to water use and natural resources, real property transactions, municipal law, state agency regulation, administrative and civil litigation
• Minimum of two years legal experience, preferably in real property, land use, natural resources law, or related fields
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and responsibilities with professionalism
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Willingness to travel and engage with clients in rural and agricultural communities
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to professional growth
• This is a 100% on-site position
• Remote opportunities available for applicants who reside in rural Oregon, have actively engaged in farming or ranching enterprises for five years, with good internet, excellent virtual communication skills and demonstrated excellent and timely deliverable work product.
• Base salary depends on experience, with strong receipt-based bonus structure

Benefits Include

• Simplified Retirement Plan (SEP) available with 3% Employer matching
• Health insurance for Employee
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Moving expenses

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and relevant qualifications
• Resume
• Legal Writing Sample
• List of three references: two legal and one personal

Email application materials to SLO Office Manager, Heather Allen at h.allen@water-law.com.

Reno – Paralegal

Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. is seeking a Senior Paralegal with at least four years of experience to join our Reno team. With offices in Portland, Oregon and Reno, Nevada, and satellite operations in Idaho and Washington, our firm has been a trusted leader in water rights and real property law since 1991.

This position offers a unique opportunity to develop a career in a highly specialized field, with clear advancement potential and the chance to work on impactful legal matters affecting small communities and agricultural producers of food and fiber across the western United States.

Industry

• Legal Services

Employment Type

Full-time

Portland Office Paralegal

Paralegals prepare legal documents and correspondence. He or she knows legal procedures for working with courts and other government agencies.  The paralegal understands relevant facts about the clients’ circumstances and may have paraprofessional duties on one or more areas of law under the direction of a partner. There are also routine clerical and administrative duties. 

The ideal paralegal must have strong organizing and project managing skills. They apply these skills to case management and docketing. They set priorities and have exceptional time management skills.

There may be travel to client sites or to other Schroeder Law Offices locations.

The Reno Office Paralegal position requires

1. Four or more years in the legal field
2. Demonstrated interest in state law related to water use, real property transactions, municipal law, state agency regulation, administrative and civil litigation
3. A bachelor’s degree (although an associates degree may be acceptable in some circumstances)
4. Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
5. Skill in the Microsoft Office Suite and ability to master other software including TABS3 and NetDocs
6. Ability to manage multiple deadlines and responsibilities with professionalism
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both in person or on the phone
8. Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to professional growth
9. Related experience in water resources, irrigation, agriculture, or title work is a plus
10. Ability to lift a bankers box of paper

How to Apply

To be considered for this position please email resume, cover letter and references to Heather Allen

Schroeder Law Offices Returns to the Nevada Junior Livestock Show!

On May 7, 2022, Schroeder Law Offices attended the Nevada Junior Livestock Show in Reno, Nevada.  The three-day show was at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center. The show is a place for the National FFA Organization, 4-H, youth Grange, and independent youth members to exhibit their livestock projects before the public. They develop skills and practices related to livestock production.  These youth organizations are a popular part of Nevada’s agricultural community. They often are an important family activity for our agricultural clients.

Animals at the show included turkeys, pigs, lambs, goats, and steers.  Livestock were judged for quality and breed standards. Youths also competed in showmanship events. These events judged their skills and knowledge in animal handling and rearing.  The show ended with the annual market auction.  Youth are encouraged to contact local businesses and individuals. Then they can attend the auction and bid on livestock. The Western Nevada Grange invited Schroeder to bid on broad breasted white turkeys raised by the Club’s youth members. 

Winning at the Auction

We loved seeing familiar faces in the crowd and attending the Buyer’s dinner. AND we won the bid for Western Nevada Grange Member Sabella Thompson’s turkey! This was Sabella’s first year showing and selling an auction animal for Grange. Sabella sent Schroeder staff home with homemade cookies and her own artwork as a thank you for being her buyer.  The cookies didn’t last long, but Sabella’s art is proudly displayed in the office.   Schroeder Law Office staff also bid on other livestock to support additional local youth in their livestock rearing endeavors.

On May 8, 2021, Schroeder Law Offices supported local youth by attending the Nevada Junior Livestock Show in Reno, Nevada.  Schroeder was invited by Carson City resident, Conner Simerson to bid on his broad breasted white turkey.  The three-day show took place at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center. The purpose of the show is to provide an opportunity for the National FFA Organization, 4-H, youth Grange, and independent youth members to exhibit their livestock projects before the public and develop skills and practices related to livestock production.  These youth organizations are a popular part of Nevada’s agricultural community and often are an important family affair for our agricultural clients.

Animals at the show included turkeys, pigs, lambs, goats, and steers.  Livestock were judged for quality and breed standards. Youths also competed in showmanship events where their skills and knowledge in animal handling and rearing were judged.  The show ended with the annual market auction.  Youth are encouraged to contact local businesses and individuals to attend the auction and bid on their livestock.  Livestock are then processed by third parties and provided to bid winners to fill their freezers.

In addition to seeing a few familiar faces in the crowd and attending the Buyer’s dinner, we won the bid for Simerson’s turkey!  Schroeder Law Office staff were also able bid on other livestock and support additional local youth in their livestock rearing endeavors. 

Schroeder Law Welcomes new Legal Assistant and is happy to announce the newest addition to its Reno team, Leslie Velazquez. As our newest Legal Assistant, Leslie will be working to assist our paralegals and attorneys on client matters, marketing, and other administrative duties. Leslie earned her Associates of Arts degree from Truckee Meadows Community College in May of 2016. Shortly after, she obtain her Bachelors of Liberal Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno in December of 2018, majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.

Leslie was born and raised in Reno, Nevada where she saw the development of Nevada’s agriculture grow and extend over the years. She is eager to develop knowledge on Nevada’s Water Rights. She enjoys spending time family, hiking, and playing soccer year around. She is excited to join the Schroeder team working to assist our community with all their water needs.

Beginning Tuesday, September 3, Schroeder Law Offices, P.C., resumes regular office hours:

Monday through Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 p.m.

Schroeder Law will be closed, Monday, September 2, to observe Labor Day.

This summer we experimented with a nine day rotation, Monday through the next Thursday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. The tenth day, every other Friday, either the Reno or Portland office was closed covering work for the other office alternatively.

In an emergency, please phone or email your attorney directly. Our goal is to return your call or email within 24 hours.

For the past decade, Schroeder Law Offices has provided opportunities to law students interested in learning water and natural resource law. Former SLO law clerks have established successful legal practices across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Schroeder Law Offices is pleased to introduce our 2019 summer law clerk, Katie Jourdan. Katie is returning to work with the attorneys and staff after having clerked previously with SLO during the fall of 2018.

Katie is entering her last year of law school at Lewis and Clark Law School, where she will complete her Juris Doctorate in May of 2020. With an emphasis on Natural Resource and Land Use Law, Ms. Jourdan has experience researching and analyzing water rights issues. Previously, Katie worked with the Western Resource Legal Center on land use and agriculture issues. She also interned with the Washington Cattlemen’s Association where she conducted research on recent land use legislation. 

Katie holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Journalism from Gonzaga University, where her enthusiasm for natural resources has paved her way to law school. Her background in agriculture and small farm life further nurtures an empathy for water users and the issues that rural America faces.

This summer, Katie is putting to good use her time spent in the classroom and exercising her proficiency in legal research. She is working with the attorneys and staff at Schroeder on client cases, educational presentations, and litigation preparation. In the fall, Katie will begin her final year at Lewis and Clark.

Schroeder Law Offices is pleased to announce that Attorney/Partner Sarah Liljefelt accepted the position of Water Resources Committee Chair for the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, beginning in the coming year. Sarah has been a member of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association for many years, and has been very active with the Oregon CattleWomen as Vice President and Legislative Committee Chair. She is excited to use her Oregon water resources knowledge to support and defend the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association’s water interests in the years to come.

Sarah’s new position was announced earlier this week when she presented at the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association’s Mid-Year Conference in Canyonville, Oregon. Sarah provided an update on the Klamath River Basin Adjudication and conjunctive surface water/groundwater management in the Klamath Basin. Some of the other highlights from the conference included an update of Western Resources Legal Center’s recent victories by Executive Director Caroline Lobdell (Sarah is a former WRLC law clerk), and a trip to Melrose Vineyards (https://www.melrosevineyards.com/) with the Oregon Cattlewomen – beautiful location, friendly staff, and great food and wine!

Taking time away from their busy schedule, Schroeder Law Offices attorneys and staff spent an educational weekend together while also celebrating their newest achievements!

Oktoberfest! On Friday, October 12, 2018, Schroeder Law Offices hosted an “Oktoberfest” event in downtown Portland to honor attorney Sarah Liljefelt as the newest Shareholder of the firm and to celebrate our newest associate attorney, Jakob Wiley. We were happy to share their recent accomplishments with many of our Oregon clients, consultants, family, and friends.

Farm Tour! After an evening celebrating, Schroeder Law Offices packed it up and headed out to the country on Saturday for an educational opportunity touring a client’s farm. We learned about different agricultural irrigation techniques, multiple land use opportunities combining mining and agriculture, and processing various agricultural products from farm to table.

Utilization Concepts! We then met up with Professor Todd Jarvis of the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University to discuss water rights issues in the West, learning a bit about the water basin utilization project he and associate attorney Jakob Wiley are working on. Professor Jarvis and attorney Wiley (with some other contributors) are collaborating to write a book on the unitization of aquifers as a way to manage water use – while still in the research phase, the book is expected to be completed by the Summer of 2019. We look forward to sharing their discoveries and plans as they move forward.

We Escaped! Finally, Schroeder Law Offices took the opportunity to do some additional team building and participated in two different escape rooms at “Stumptown Escape Games.” The games were challenging but our teams escaped by putting their heads together and succeeding under pressure!

Schroeder Law Offices is celebrating 27 years of representing water users in the West! To celebrate, SLO’s attorneys and staff from several states will travel to Portland, Oregon for an Oktoberfest party at the Portland City Grill to thank our clients, consultants, friends, and families for their contributions to our success over the years. SLO will also be celebrating attorney Sarah Liljefelt as its newest shareholder, attorney Lindsay Thane’s admission to the Montana Bar, and our newest attorney in our Portland office, Jakob Wiley. As part of the weekend event, the SLO crew will visit a farmer and food processor client in the Willamette Valley to learn more about their operation. We are all very excited for the opportunity to spend time with the members of SLO from different states!  

Attorney Sarah Liljefelt presented at Halfmoon’s Water Laws and Regulations seminar on June 7^th on the topic of Oregon Groundwater, teaching a group of engineers about groundwater ownership, regulation, and acquisition of groundwater use rights in Oregon. This week, on June 28^th, Sarah will present at the Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section’s “brownbag” continuing legal education seminar on the topic of groundwater regulation in the Klamath Basin in Oregon. Her co-presenter is Lisa Brown of WaterWatch, who will speak about groundwater in Harney County. If you are interested in attending, please visit the Section’s Events page or Schroeder Law Offices’ Coming Events page for more information. Sarah’s presentation materials are available on the Section’s Events page.

Stay tuned to Schroeder Law Offices’ Water Law Blog for more news!

Schroeder Law Offices is happy to announce that intern, Valley Urricelqui is joining us this summer in the Reno Office. Valley was born and raised in the Northeastern part of California where her family runs a hay and cattle ranch.

Valley is a strong advocate in the Cattle Industry as she is the Public Relations Officer for the Chico State Young Cattleman’s Association. In April this year, Valley received the title of California State Beef Ambassador representing the North State. In this position she represents the State of California as a voice for the Beef Industry and is helping to spread the good word about the agriculture industry as a whole in efforts to gain more support from the public. Her goal is to present in elementary classrooms to educate our youth about where their food comes from, the hard work and processes necessary for raising livestock and food supplies, and the nutritional health benefits of our food.  Making the “farm-to-fork” connection is an important mission for Valley.

Valley is currently attending Chico State University where she plans to graduate with a degree in Agriculture Science and Education come Spring 2019. After graduation from Chico State, Valley plans to attend law school in hopes of becoming a water or land rights attorney. Being born and raised in the agriculture industry she has grown a strong passion for protecting individual property interests and natural resources. As Valley states, “I have watched my family, as well as other good ranching and farming families, deal with land and water right issues for years.”

Valley’s passion is providing support in the protection of farmers and ranchers, to ensure generations to come continue to add to the food security of our nation.   Regardless of the path Valley will choose, she wants to continue being an advocate for the industry and wants to increase awareness of agriculture especially with our younger generations.

On Thursday March 15, 2018, Schroeder Law Offices’ Portland office hosted first year law students for an annual “1L” (first year law student) reception, to learn more about our office and our water law practice. The students met with each attorney, Sarah Liljefelt, Laura Schroeder, and Lindsay Thane to learn about each of their practices at SLO. Next, Schroeder Law held a social gathering that allowed the law students to meet with the entire office.

The 1L reception program allows first year law students to tour multiple law firms, learn more about what each firm does, and begin to think about their career goals after law school. It also provides a “foot in the door” with potential employers for summer law clerk positions and eventual associate positions.

If you or someone you know is looking for a summer law clerk position and is currently a 2L or 3L student, Schroeder Law Offices’ Portland office is currently hiring. Click here to learn more.

Schroeder Law Offices is excited to announce that Jakob Wiley will be joining the firm as a J.D. Paralegal this fall. He plans to later continue with the firm as an Associate Attorney at the Portland location after passage of the July, 2018 Oregon bar examination. He will receive a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law in May, 2018 and will also complete a concurrent M.S. in Water Resources Policy and Management at Oregon State University. His studies focus on aquifer governance, voluntary management agreements, and transboundary aquifer policy.

Jakob grew up in Fallon, Nevada on his family’s alfalfa farm and cattle ranch. Jakob enjoys hiking and ocean fishing near his parents’ new home near Toledo, Oregon. Jakob also enjoys traveling to Germany and Switzerland in his free time. He is excited to join the Schroeder team working to solve your water issues!

2017 was an eventful year for the team at Schroeder Law Offices (“SLO”). As SLO moves toward a productive 2018, we are pleased to highlight the exciting events of 2017 and what’s ahead in the New Year!

In February we hosted a reception honoring Al Steninger at the Society for Range Management in St. George, Utah. Shareholders Laura Schroeder and Therese Ure, as well as Alan Schroeder, had the honor of celebrating the Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award for range consultant Steninger, long-time friend and consultant to the firm.

In April 2017, our Reno Office received a new home moving from the mid-town area to south Reno. The new office includes convenient parking and approx. 2,600 sq feet divided into a roomy, reception area, large and small conference rooms, multiple private offices, and work areas. Should our out-of-town client need a space to work or meet in Reno for a day or more, we have space to share.

After settling in, SLO hosted an open house for all of our clients, consultants and friends to come check out the new Reno space! We enjoyed this event as the Portland team came to Reno to assist in this celebration, complete with Stix Cattle Company barbequing tri tip!

Following the Open House event and team Schroeder’s participation in the Dust Devil Triathlon in Fallon, NV, the SLO team went out to the field! Our firm serves a wide variety of water users including local farmers, and we had a great time learning more about irrigation systems in Northern Nevada from local expert Norm Frey of Frey Ranches, learning about the cattle industry at Stix Cattle Company, and touring the local livestock auction at Fallon Livestock LLC.

While we had a busy year among our Reno Office move, open house, and field day, we are honored to highlight some of our SLO team member’s developments during 2017.

• Associate Attorney Lindsay Thane passed not only the Oregon State Bar in May 2017, but also passed the Montana State Bar in September 2017 – adding a seventh state to our firm’s licensing!
• Legal Secretary Mollie Finke joined our Portland team in April, making her debut in the legal field.
• In November, our Portland team added a new Paralegal, Rachelq Harman.
• In December, paralegal Tara J. Jackson took a sabbatical, chasing sunny weather with a couple of weeks exploring the north island of New Zealand, enjoying beautiful vistas and mountain biking and finished out her time in Arizona spending more time on her bike and with family. Tara is now back on board.

In the New Year, SLO is looking forward to hosting more classes and/or workshops regarding water law. In 2017 as well as past years, SLO Shareholders Therese Ure and Laura Schroeder have hosted water rights bootcamp classes as well as real estate water right classes. Keep an eye on our coming events list for classes and events to come in 2018, or check out our speaking and presentations page for a list of topics.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries annual convention was held on November 3^rd and 4^th at the Salishan Spa and Golf Resort, in Gleneden Beach, Oregon. The convention is a forum used to discuss issues vital to Oregon nurseries, vote on OAN bylaws, and honor the industry’s achievers at the annual president’s Awards Banquet. In an effort to support OAN, Schroeder Law Offices donated two bottles of Oregon whiskey for the silent auction at the President’s Awards Banquet.

Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. will be closed for some holiday dates in 2017, as described below:

Thanksgiving
November 23, 2017 & November 24, 2017
Schroeder Law Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th.
We will reconvene regular business hours on Monday, November 27, 2017.

Christmas
December 25, 2017
Schroeder Law Offices will be closed on Monday, December 25th.
We will reconvene regular business hours on Tuesday, December 26, 2017.

New Year’s Day
January 1, 2018
Schroeder Law Offices be closed on Monday, January 1st.
We will reconvene regular business hours on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

During these holiday periods, we will not be routinely responding to phone calls/ messages, emails, or mail. In an emergency, please phone or email your assigned team associate attorney directly or email counsel@water-law.com. The attorneys will check their email at least once each day and attempt to get back to you within 24 hours of your call or email.

Schroeder Law Offices (“SLO”) represents a wide variety of water users ranging from municipal to agricultural to domestic. On August 12, 2017, the Portland and Reno teams took an educational field trip to learn more about some of the industries that it supports in Northern Nevada.

The first half of the field trip included touring Western Nevada Cattle Feeders facilities in Fernley, NV, participating in an informational and educational discussion with feedlot owner Dave Stix about his cattle business as well as the cattle industry as a whole. Following the feed lot tour, the SLO team was able to tour two sale yards in Fallon, NV. The first sale yard, Fallon Livestock LLC, was not holding a sale which provided us the opportunity to walk through the entire facility and learn how cattle are bought and sold. The second sale yard, Nevada Livestock Market, was holding a special sale which provided the Schroeder Law team with a view the fast pace of a live auction.

The second half of the field trip included a tour of irrigated, farm land in Fallon, NV as well as learning about the sources and process of water delivery for the farmers of the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District with our tour guide and expert for the day, Norm Frey of Frey Ranches in Fallon, NV. This provided the Schroeder Law team the opportunity to learn about the Newlands project and gain a better understanding of farming and the specific irrigation systems in Northern Nevada. Education included identifying crops as well as learning more about how the science of farming in Northern Nevada including the tremendous strides made with the use of technology.

By taking field trips and learning about the businesses, industries and geographic regions that our clients reside in, our team’s goal is to be better prepared to understand the issues of our clients and to represent their interests.