Founded in 1951 by five prominent attorneys, McDonald Sanders is one of Fort Worth’s oldest and most respected law firms. With a rich history of advising clients who have shaped the growth of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and North Texas, we remain deeply rooted in our community while serving clients across Texas and the nation. As a proud member of Geneva Group International (GGI), we offer a unique combination of local expertise and global resources to help our clients achieve their goals.
At McDonald Sanders, we blend innovative thinking with proven legal experience. We’re dedicated to providing exceptional representation while promoting a healthy work/life balance and a competitive benefits package. For those who value professionalism, collaboration, and community, working at McDonald Sanders is both fulfilling and rewarding.
Clerkship Program
Our summer clerkship program provides law students with meaningful exposure to a broad range of practice areas. We keep our clerk classes small to ensure hands-on training and direct interaction with associates and shareholders. In addition to gaining real legal experience, clerks enjoy Fort Worth-focused outings that highlight our city and firm culture. The program typically runs for six weeks—from after Memorial Day through early July.
Associate Opportunities
While many of our associates begin with us through the clerkship program, we also welcome applications from experienced lateral associates who bring knowledge in our core practice areas and share our values. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and letter of interest via the contact form on the right.
Legal Support Staff
Our firm’s success is driven by our outstanding legal support team—including administrative staff, file clerks, paralegals, and legal assistants. If you're a detail-oriented, team-driven professional who values a collaborative environment, we invite you to submit your resume and letter of interest through the contact form on the right.
Legal Assistant
Legal Administrative Assistant
Job Description
Provides high-level administrative support to the attorneys and legal teams at McDonald Sanders, ensuring smooth daily operations and efficient workflow. Maintains positive and professional contact with clients, attorneys, and support staff, and upholds strict confidentiality of client, personnel, and firm matters. Assists in managing schedules, preparing legal documents, and coordinating communications, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the firm's legal services.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Coordinate and schedule travel, meetings and appointments for attorney(s); assist with expense reimbursements
- Provide accurate timesheet entry, review and revision; participate in timely review and submission of prebills and/or client bills
- Maintain good communication with clients and observe confidentiality of attorney-client relationship; answer client phone calls and messages to attorneys in a timely and courteous manner
- Manage hard copy documents and transmit for safekeeping, profile electronic documents/emails and manage distribution of correspondence and legal documents
- Manage and prioritize incoming workflow to meet all deadlines
Requirements
- Must be highly organized and able to manage multiple concurrent projects
- Comfortable communicating with clients
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word and Outlook
- Working knowledge of legal documents, formatting, table of contents, styles, track changes, inserting and labeling pdf documents and inserting into documents and converting pdf documents to Word
- Experience working with a document management system (AIM experience a plus).
- Good grammatical and writing skills
- Ability to multi-task and work closely with attorneys in a fast-paced busy role.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience
- Experience working in a law firm preferred
- Experience with PUC filings, SOAH & TCEQ filings
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Health insurance after probation time
- Paid vacation time and sick leave
- Healthy work-life balance is promoted as part of our company culture
- Fun, team-building events such as company dinners, tickets to live sporting events, etc.
- Financial help with continuing education
- Voted 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work in Fort Worth by Fort Worth Inc. Magazine
Paralegal
Litigation Paralegal
Job Description
The ideal candidate will be responsible for assisting attorneys in all stages of litigation matters. This candidate should feel comfortable conducting research, doing data entry, scheduling, maintaining case files, and completing other ad-hoc requests, as needed.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Assist attorneys in managing and organizing case files from inception through trial and post-trial proceedings.
- Coordinate and manage discovery processes, including drafting and responding to discovery requests, subpoenas, and interrogatories.
- Draft, proofread, and format legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence.
- File legal documents with state and federal courts, ensuring compliance with court rules and deadlines.
- Conduct legal research on case law, statutes, regulations, and other legal resources to support case preparation.
- Summarize findings and assist attorneys in developing case strategies.
- Prepare and organize research materials for attorney review.
- Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, and other parties involved in litigation, ensuring timely and accurate information flow.
- Maintain confidentiality of all client information and case details.
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or associate degree in paralegal studies is required.
- Paralegal certification from an accredited program is preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience as a litigation paralegal, preferably in a law firm setting.
- Strong understanding of litigation processes, including court procedures, discovery, and trial prep.
Skills:
- Proficiency in legal research tools and software.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and legal document management software.
- Ability to manage large volumes of documents and information with attention to detail.
Personal Attributes:
- High level of professionalism and ethical standards.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically.
- Ability to handle stressful situations with composure and efficiency.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Health insurance after probation time
- Paid vacation time and sick leave
- Healthy work-life balance is promoted as part of our company culture
- Fun, team-building events such as company dinners, tickets to live sporting events, etc.
- Assistance with obtaining or completing certification requirements applicable to the position
- Voted 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work in Fort Worth by Fort Worth Inc. Magazine
Attorney
Litigation Associate (Civil & Commercial)
Job Description
McDonald Sanders, P.C., one of Fort Worth’s most established full-service law firms, is seeking an associate attorney with 2–5 years of substantive civil and commercial litigation experience to join our our litigation team.
Our litigators serve as both trusted advisors and experienced courtroom advocates, representing clients across industries in complex business and commercial disputes. We value strategic thinking, clear communication, and a practical approach that reflects our deep roots in the Fort Worth community.
This position offers meaningful, hands-on experience across a broad spectrum of civil and commercial litigation. From the outset, associates at McDonald Sanders are actively involved in every phase of litigation—including client strategy sessions, discovery, depositions, motion practice, trial preparation, and courtroom appearances.
The successful candidate will join a collaborative team environment where initiative is encouraged, mentorship is genuine, and contributions directly impact client outcomes.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Handle all phases of litigation from case intake to resolution, including discovery, motion practice, depositions, and trial preparation.
- Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other substantive filings with precision and clarity.
- Conduct legal research, prepare memoranda, and deliver practical, strategic analysis.
- Advocate for clients in court appearances, hearings, mediations, and arbitrations.
- Work collaboratively with clients, senior attorneys, and support staff to develop and implement effective legal strategies.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
- 2–5 years of litigation experience (civil or commercial focus strongly preferred; judicial clerkship experience considered).
- Experience in state and federal court practice, including drafting pleadings, managing discovery, taking and defending depositions, and arguing motions.
- Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and organization.
- Ability to work independently with sound judgement, while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
- Proactive mindset with ability to anticipate next steps, take initiative, and drive matters forward.
- Professionalism, integrity, and a strong commitment to client service.
Benefits
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- Substantial firm-paid coverage for employee medical insurance, with HSA contributions for participants.
- Firm-provided life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.
- Firm-sponsored Profit Sharing and 401(k) programs, available once eligible.
- Paid leave benefits, including major medical/maternity leave, vacation, sick leave, and firm holidays
- Payment of professional dues (including bar memberships) and continuing legal education (CLE) expenses.
- Commitment to healthy work-life balance.
- Collegial, team-oriented environment that values initiative, collaboration, and professional excellence. Recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work For in Fort Worth (2023-2025) by Fort Worth Inc. Magazine.