Remote Insurance Defense Paralegal

About this role

Zirtual is a work-life balanced company that offers law firms practice area specific, experienced virtual paralegals. Our US-based paralegals strive to meet and exceed attorney-client needs and expectations.  Zirtual offers paralegals in every practice area and state, both transactional and litigation.

Our paralegals are vital members of Zirtual. The paralegal is the main point of contact with their assigned client(s) and will work independently with the law firms. The paralegal will receive support from their assigned Account Supervisor, who will assist the paralegal & law firm relationship with plan modifications, questions, feedback on quality, delegation and collaboration best practices, and more.

The paralegal will provide a high-level professional service by working on tasks and projects as assigned by the client, and ensuring they are executed on time and to the highest level of quality. The paralegal is responsible for being the main point of contact for their assigned client(s), and being familiar with each clients’ needs and preferences.

The paralegal must have consistent and proactive communication with clients and the Account Supervisors. Paralegals are expected to be available for clients during business hours as agreed upon with each client, but around-the-clock availability is not expected. Paralegals ensure time is entered on a daily basis using a provided tool, respond to all communication within a mutually established response time expectation tailored to each client’s needs, maintain detailed and up-to-date client profiles, and follow Zirtual's best practices for success.

Job Overview Paralegals within Zirtual’s Paralegal Division are custom matched based upon the client’s specific needs, practice areas and state. The outlined tasks below will vary based on each client and practice area. When reviewing, please consider those tasks applicable to your specialty. In general, paralegals are expected to have a minimum of 3 years of experience handling the below outlined duties. When offered a client, you will be provided with a Statement of Work that outlines the pay rate for the specific client as well as any area specific additions. While paralegals may be asked to handle legal assistant tasks, the rate will be outlined in the provided Statement of Work.

PARALEGAL SUPPORT Hours: Approximately 80 hours per month to start, with potential for growth Schedule: Flexible, with preference for candidates available during Pacific Time business hours About the Role A California attorney serving as outside general counsel to an insurance company is seeking a highly organized, tech-savvy paralegal to help manage a growing legal practice and support innovative legal AI initiatives. This is an ideal opportunity for a paralegal who enjoys creating order from chaos, building systems and processes, and staying on the cutting edge of legal technology. The practice currently manages approximately 140 active insurance claims, and the attorney is looking for a trusted partner who can help streamline operations, manage communications, and support legal research using emerging AI tools. This role offers significant opportunity for growth and increased responsibility for the right candidate. Key Responsibilities Inbox & Communication Management Manage a high-volume email inbox Prioritize communications and flag urgent matters Draft responses and maintain organized correspondence workflows Help ensure important deadlines and follow-ups are not missed Legal AI Research & Operations Conduct factual and legal research using AI-powered legal tools Assist with monitoring and reporting on AI-related workflows within an insurance claims environment Evaluate information gathered through legal databases and AI platforms Stay current on emerging legal technology and AI developments Claims & Matter Tracking Monitor and track approximately 140 active insurance claims Maintain accurate records and status updates Help identify issues requiring attorney attention Support database management and reporting efforts Systems & Process Development Create and improve SOPs, workflows, and organizational systems Develop efficient methods for managing legal work and information Recommend tools and processes that improve productivity Assist with future case management software implementation and setup Additional Administrative Support Calendar management and scheduling as needed Meeting coordination Project support and special initiatives

What We're Looking For The ideal candidate is more than an executor—they are a problem solver who enjoys building structure, improving processes, and helping busy professionals stay organized. You'll thrive in this role if you: Take initiative and enjoy finding better ways to do things Have strong attention to detail and accuracy Are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment Enjoy technology and learning new tools Can balance multiple priorities without losing track of details Appreciate a collaborative, conversational work environment Requirements Required Paralegal experience or equivalent legal industry background Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills Strong written communication abilities Experience conducting legal research Comfortable learning and utilizing AI-powered legal tools Ability to work independently and proactively identify solutions U.S.-based candidate Preferred Experience with legal AI platforms and databases Familiarity with ChatGPT, Claude, or similar AI tools Insurance defense, insurance coverage, or claims-related experience Experience implementing systems, workflows, or operational improvements Case management software experience Benefits COMPENSATION & BENEFITS You will be compensated as a 1099 independent contractor. When matched out of our preferred network, and depending on your practice area, you can expect to earn a minimum of $28 per hour for paralegal work. You can expect to earn $20 per hour for legal assistant work. Pay…