Paralegal

SUMMARY:

Responsible for supporting attorneys in the various aspects of litigation, case preparation, management, and trial. Civil defense experience preferred, but not mandatory. A sense of humor and good work ethic are mandatory.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: “Essential functions” are primarily job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation made by the employer.

Obtains, reviews, analyzes, and summarizes legal documentation pertaining to cases.

Schedules depositions and other meetings with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court reporters and others.

Identifies, locates, interviews, and evaluates potential experts and sends expert packages to parties for review.

Tracks requests for documents and regularly follows up on progress of receipt.

Regularly reviews files and proactively works to move cases forward.

Documents files and updates clients when necessary regarding status of case.

Participates in all aspects of discovery and file or trial preparation as required by supervisor.

May prepare draft discovery documents. 

Maintains an expert database and researches opposing counsel’s experts.

Makes travel arrangements and provides directions and other necessary information to attorney.

Performs research pertaining to legal issues and precedents related to particular cases.

Files documents with the various courts.

Performs clerical duties such as typing and filing to the extent required to produce work product or assure proper organization of case files.

Enters billable time into computer on a daily basis.

Meets a minimum billing requirement of 140 hours per month (1680 per year). This requirement is not reduced by any paid or unpaid time off, mandatory training, or the performance of any non-billable functions. Such time off, training, or performance of non-billable functions are not counted toward the minimum billing requirement.

Performs non-billable functions, including but not limited to, participating on strategic committees, assisting in seminar development, assisting with production of presentations, mentoring and training new employees.

Ensures all functions are performed in exact accordance with applicable client guidelines.

Remains flexible and open to requests for support or assistance outside of the scope of this job description and to other duties as directed by the Management team.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Knowledge of legal principles and practices in order to assume responsibility of providing support for attorney team members in case management and information gathering at a level normally acquired through completion of an associate’s degree or certified paralegal education.

Knowledge of the various courts, their rules and filing requirements.

Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys, staff, and clients and to provide information with ordinary courtesy, diplomacy and tact.

Demonstrated organizational, prioritization, and attention to detail skills to allow for timely, effective, and accurate performance of job duties.

Ability to demonstrate impeccable integrity in confidential matters.

Accurate typing ability of 45 wpm and comprehensive computer and office equipment experience.

Work may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position and to meet financial goal requirements.

Work requires sitting, bending, stooping, computer keyboarding and continuous use of the hands, telephone contact, reading, and may require lifting of 25-50 lbs. or more.

Work may also require traveling to offsite locations for the collection of records and information or filing of documents with courts, therefore work may require driving.

Under certain circumstances the Firm may substitute experience for educational requirements and vice versa.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.