Job description

Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community. As a Legal Assistant (Paralegal) you will provide legal and administrative support for commercial contracting, intellectual property portfolio management, regulatory compliance, and legal operations. This role works closely with in-house attorneys, business stakeholders, outside counsel, and international affiliates to ensure the efficient management of contracts, trademarks, patents, licensing matters, and legal records. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. At Valero, this role performs duties that support our commitment to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity, and unmatched execution, including: • Update and maintain legal templates, forms, and standard agreements. • Prepare amendments, contract execution documents, and related legal records. • Assist attorneys with contract review and revision processes. • Maintain accurate contract files and tracking systems. • Maintain and manage U.S. trademark portfolios, including applications, renewals, docket tracking, and recordkeeping. • Coordinate with outside counsel, international affiliates, and business personnel regarding trademark prosecution and maintenance activities. • Assist with international trademark matters, including coordination of filings, renewals, status reporting, and related administrative activities. • Manage trademark watch services, review watch reports, and coordinate follow-up actions such as cease and desist letters and opposition filings as appropriate. • Coordinate with outside counsel and inventors regarding patent filing and prosecution activities. • Administer patent maintenance fee payments, subscription services, and related vendor relationships. • Support copyright compliance initiatives, including authorized reuse of copyrighted materials and related licensing requirements. • Administer corporate copyright licensing programs and conduct periodic compliance reviews and surveys. • Manage renewals and administration of performing rights organization licenses and related agreements. • Maintain regulatory licensing dockets and databases. • Coordinate with outside counsel and internal stakeholders to ensure timely filings, renewals, and regulatory compliance. • Monitor deadlines and maintain accurate records related to licenses and permits. • Coordinate legal vendor invoicing, budgeting, and expense tracking for intellectual property and licensing matters. • Prepare annual budget estimates and forecasts related to intellectual property and legal operations activities. • Track outside counsel engagements and review billing information for accuracy. • Maintain legal records, databases, and reporting tools. • Conduct legal, regulatory, and business-related research to support attorneys and business clients. • Retrieve and organize industry publications, regulatory materials, and other legal resources. • Prepare summaries, reports, spreadsheets, and presentations as needed. This position is salaried nonexempt status, which means you are eligible for overtime pay. Minimum Requirements: • High School Diploma or GED required. • 3+ years of experience in a legal department, law firm, intellectual property, or legal operations environment required. • Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero San Antonio location, required. Preferred Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree preferred. • Certificate from accredited paralegal training program preferred. • Experience with legal technology tools, including Legal AI software preferred. • Experience supporting trademarks, patents, licensing, contracts, or regulatory compliance matters preferred. • Experience with trademark and patent docketing systems preferred. • Familiarity with intellectual property law, trademark prosecution, copyright licensing, and patent maintenance processes preferred. • Experience managing legal budgets, invoices, and vendor relationships preferred. • Experience supporting multinational or international legal operations preferred. • Certified Paralegal preferred. Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits: • Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program • 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, with immediate vesting • Company-sponsored Pension Plan • Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Programs • Onsite Daycare Center • Onsite Employee and Family Wellness Centers (Physician & Pediatrician) • Onsite Pharmacy • State-of-the-art 24-hour Fitness Center free for employees and spouses with access to Tennis and Basketball Facilities • Onsite cafeteria open for breakfast and lunch • Sprawling campus with walking paths and access to biking trails Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee’s eligibility and work location. Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We’re invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visit Valero.com/Careers . Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero’s market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites. The posting may close earlier than the advertised date based on applications received. Note: Valero’s pre-employment process includes successful completion of a background check and hair-analysis drug screen.

Requirements

Must-haves

At Valero, this role performs duties that support our commitment to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity, and unmatched execution, including:
Update and maintain legal templates, forms, and standard agreements.
Prepare amendments, contract execution documents, and related legal records.
Assist attorneys with contract review and revision processes.
Maintain accurate contract files and tracking systems.
Maintain and manage U.S. trademark portfolios, including applications, renewals, docket tracking, and recordkeeping.
Coordinate with outside counsel, international affiliates, and business personnel regarding trademark prosecution and maintenance activities.
Assist with international trademark matters, including coordination of filings, renewals, status reporting, and related administrative activities.
Manage trademark watch services, review watch reports, and coordinate follow-up actions such as cease and desist letters and opposition filings as appropriate.
Coordinate with outside counsel and inventors regarding patent filing and prosecution activities.
Administer patent maintenance fee payments, subscription services, and related vendor relationships.
Support copyright compliance initiatives, including authorized reuse of copyrighted materials and related licensing requirements.

Nice-to-haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Certificate from accredited paralegal training program preferred.
Experience with legal technology tools, including Legal AI software preferred.
Experience supporting trademarks, patents, licensing, contracts, or regulatory compliance matters preferred.
Experience with trademark and patent docketing systems preferred.
Familiarity with intellectual property law, trademark prosecution, copyright licensing, and patent maintenance processes preferred.
Experience managing legal budgets, invoices, and vendor relationships preferred.
Experience supporting multinational or international legal operations preferred.
Certified Paralegal preferred.
Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits:
Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
Company-sponsored Pension Plan

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

Platform: taleo
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Vision

401(K)

Wellness