Human Resources Associate

POSITION SUMMARY Porter Law Firm is seeking a driven and highly organized HR Associate to join our administrative team. This is a hands-on, generalist role with a strong emphasis on the full employee lifecycle - from attracting and hiring great talent, to setting new team members up for success, to managing performance and, when necessary, navigating separations with professionalism and care. The right candidate is a self-starter who understands the unique culture of a civil litigation firm and is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy while staying closely aligned with firm leadership. This role reports directly to the COO and works closely with the Managing Partner and department heads across the firm's Houston and Austin offices. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Own the full-cycle recruiting process for staff and attorney positions, including drafting job descriptions, posting openings, screening applicants, coordinating interviews, and extending offers Build and maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates for specialized roles (paralegals, legal assistants, litigation support) Manage relationships with external recruiters and staffing agencies; review and negotiate placement agreements in coordination with firm leadership Track recruiting metrics including time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and source effectiveness Represent the firm with professionalism and enthusiasm at job fairs, law school events, and community hiring events as needed Onboarding & New Hire Integration Design and execute a consistent, welcoming onboarding experience that reflects the firm's culture and sets new hires up to be effective quickly Coordinate Day 1 logistics — workstation setup, system access, benefits enrollment, and first-week scheduling — in collaboration with IT and department supervisors Facilitate new hire orientation sessions covering firm policies, procedures, culture, and expectations Manage onboarding documentation and I-9 compliance; maintain accurate and complete personnel files Conduct 30- and 90-day check-ins with new employees and surface concerns to the COO proactively Performance Management Administer the firm's annual and mid-year performance review process, including calendar management, form distribution, and tracking completion Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors on delivering effective feedback, documenting performance issues, and managing underperformance Draft performance improvement plans (PIPs), written warnings, and related documentation in coordination with the COO and Managing Partner Monitor and track performance-related documentation to ensure consistency and proper recordkeeping Support the development and implementation of performance standards and metrics across departments Employee Relations & Separations Serve as a trusted, accessible resource for employees with questions, concerns, or workplace issues Manage involuntary terminations with care and consistency — ensuring proper documentation, appropriate communication, and coordination of offboarding logistics Process voluntary separations including resignation acceptance, final pay coordination, COBRA notification, and exit interviews Ensure all terminations are handled in compliance with applicable federal and Texas employment law Escalate potential legal exposure or pattern concerns to the COO and Managing Partner promptly HR Administration & Compliance Maintain and update the employee handbook and HR policies in coordination with firm leadership Track and ensure compliance with Texas and federal employment law, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and EEO requirements Support benefits administration, open enrollment, and day-to-day employee benefits questions Manage and audit personnel files, HR records, and data in the firm's systems Assist with payroll-related inquiries and escalations in coordination with the COO QUALIFICATIONS Required 3–6 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated responsibility across recruiting, onboarding, and employee relations Solid working knowledge of Texas and federal employment law (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, NLRA) Experience managing terminations and documenting employee performance issues Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism High degree of organization and attention to detail - this role requires managing multiple open positions and employee matters simultaneously Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with HRIS or ATS platforms Preferred Prior experience in a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field PHR or SHRM-CP certification (or active pursuit) Experience supporting a multi-office or multi-location organization Familiarity with legal staffing roles (paralegals, legal assistants, litigation support) WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off and firm holidays A collegial, professionally engaged team that takes the work seriously and supports each other Direct access to and partnership with firm leadership - your voice will be heard and your work will matter ABOUT PORTER LAW FIRM PLLC Porter Law Firm is a Houston-based commercial real estate firm with a second office in Austin. We represent clients in HOA and community association law, construction defect, and real estate disputes. Our team of approximately 50+ professionals - including 15 attorneys - is built around a culture of responsiveness, quality advocacy, and genuine collaboration. We're proud of what we've built and are growing intentionally. Porter Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. J-18808-Ljbffr