Litigation Assistant

The Legal & Corporate Affairs team is responsible for safeguarding the company’s reputation, ensuring we are operating with integrity and in line with our strategic initiatives. The Legal team provides high-quality legal services, ensures legal compliance and mitigates risks.  The Corporate Communications team works to execute strategic and effective communication efforts that drive brand awareness, preference and reputation with internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the Corporate Social Responsibility & Belonging teams support the company’s environmental and social commitments with a strong focus on pets, people and the planet.  The collective team supports the overall success and positive reputation of the company.  

Collaborative Work Environment:
At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

The Litigation Assistant will support PetSmart’s Legal Team. This role provides administrative and litigation support to senior paralegals and attorneys in connection with claims, pre-litigation matters, and active litigation.

This position involves regular coordination with a variety of internal business partners across departments. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter with a broad understanding of administrative processes and demonstrated experience supporting litigation, matter management, and document processes within a corporate legal department or law firm environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:

• Matter Discovery Support. Assists with discovery for claims and litigation, including factual research and information gathering; coordinates with internal business partners and accesses systems to collect documents responsive to subpoenas, discovery requests, and other requests for records; tracks pertinent information; assists with eDiscovery efforts and legal holds.
• Matter Management Support. Provides general support and tracking for litigation matters, including using information systems to create, update, and maintain case files, prepare necessary reporting, and manage related communications; serves as a secondary contact for matter management system administration, including managing user profiles and access, new account creation, training, vendor assignment and account maintenance, and system questions; manages sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Reporting. Prepares Word, Excel, PowerPoint presentations, agendas, reports, and other documents; generates reports from informational systems and other databases; maintains a variety of information trackers.
• Legal Settlement and Vendor Support. Processes Legal settlement payments in accordance with settlement agreement terms; coordinates vendor set ups.
• Legal Document and Inbox Management. Monitors, acknowledges, and routes incoming legal documents and service of process to appropriate individuals for handling. Monitoring and routing of general inquiries received in department mailboxes; maintains organized electronic and physical files in accordance with records retention policies.

• General Support. Performs additional work and supports special projects as may be assigned; assists with mail processing and routing; meeting planning; prepares correspondence; provides back-up support to other Legal Team administrative functions as needed.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a fast-paced corporate legal department or law firm environment requiring confidentiality, discretion, flexibility, multitasking, and strong attention to detail.
• Previous experience researching and responding to subpoenas and other records requests in a corporate law department law firm setting is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.

• Demonstrated problem-solving, prioritization, and organizational skills required.
• Experience helping to develop and improve internal processes preferred.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines, coordinate across stakeholders, and perform basic legal and business research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally and confidently with individuals at all levels of the organization; discretion regarding confidential and sensitive information is required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint) required. 
• Experience using collaboration tools such as Teams, Zoom, and WebEx required.
• Experience using AI tools to streamline work efficiencies is preferred.
• Experience with Legal and HR software platforms preferred (e.g., Legal Tracker, PACER, SAP, ServiceNow, or similar systems).
• Retail operations experience is a plus.
• High School diploma required; associate/bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands and work environment are characteristic of those found in a typical business office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. 

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.