Sr. Paralegal - Washington Family Law

Core Objectives:

1. Assistance to Attorneys. Utilize strong work ethic, an amassed knowledge of local and state rules, and expertise with basic legal proceedings complemented by the ability to assist with court processes to provide legal assistance to Attorneys in the Family Law department.
2. Internal Training. Provide mentorship and training to Paralegals by coordinating and delegating projects to Paralegals and overseeing the outcome of the project that was delegated.
3. Client Experience. Provide excellent care to our clients from beginning to end of the case.

Goals and Responsibilities:

Below is a sample list of responsibilities that address the core objectives. This list is not intended to be exclusive but will identify some specific projects and tasks as the building blocks to achieve the core objectives. Senior Paralegals are assigned to specific Attorneys; however, they will be asked from time to time to assist others in the department.

Client Assistance:

• Maintain working knowledge of the entire client file, including the status of discovery. 
• Provide information to clients regarding status, track pending matters and documents. Provide information regarding procedures and explain processes.
• Meet with clients to review and sign documents as needed.
• Work directly with clients to complete forms and pleadings, Uniform Support Declarations, UCCJEA information, affidavits/declarations in support of other pleadings.
• Prepare child support worksheets and parenting time calendars.
• Assist clients by troubleshooting questions/problems when the Attorney is unavailable.
• Take client phone calls, listen, and provide procedural information (gatekeeper duties).

Case Management:

• Track litigation process and assist with management of case.
• Track case deadlines, reminders, and other necessary dates with tickle system.
• Provide discovery-related assistance; coordinate discovery-related matters and correspondence to Attorneys.
• Discovery organization and preparation of draft asset and debts sheets, as requested.
• Create hearing notebooks, trial preparation materials, outlines and trial exhibit notebooks and Parenting evaluation notebooks.
• Coordinate and communicate with other opposing counsel and other outside professionals (DHS, police officers, mental health professionals, evaluators, government officials).
• Coordinate with Paralegals to (re)schedule hearings, depositions, mediation, arbitration, etc. with courts, Attorneys, clients, and witnesses. 
• Interview potential references/ witnesses on client’s behalf.
• Coordinate with GM Accounting Department regarding expert & witness fees, payment of invoices and check requests. 
• Assist Paralegals to prepare files to be closed, prepare post-judgment or post-agreement checklists for clients and Attorneys.
• Assist with case coverage during Attorney absences. Coordinate with other Attorneys to provide assistance to clients and outside counsel.

Discovery and Case Processing:

Initial preparation and follow up of: 

• Uniform Support Declarations
• Certificates of Compliance
• Request for Production 
• Responses to Requests for Production
• Protective Orders and Non-Disclosure Agreements/Confidentiality Notices 
• Notices of Deposition w/Subpoenas 
• Motion to Compel with Exhibits and Supplements
• Declarations (TRO’s, MTC’s, Protective Orders, Status Quo Orders)
• Organize and profile eDiscovery and Discovery File Organization and Production
• Hard Copy File Indexing and Organization
• Analyze Income Accounts/Trace Funds
• Create Demonstrative Exhibits, including Spreadsheets, Accounts, Maps, Graphs, Diagrams, Power Point Presentations
• Support Calculations 
• Mediation Memorandums
• Settlement Agreement Outlines
• Parent Evaluation Notebook
• Initial contact and monitor progress with appraisers and other expert witnesses
• Develop lists of additional needed items for Attorneys
• Create, revise, monitor and maintain 8.010 
• Create 8.010 comparisons and develop settlement scenarios

Deposition, Trial, Mediation and Settlement Conference Preparation: 

• Proactively and independently anticipate and attend to case needs and coordinate workflow with Attorneys and/or other Paralegals and staff.
• Conduct statutory, regulatory, or factual research with respect to client matters. Such research might include investigation of federal or state laws and regulations, local court rules, relevant markets, corporate participants and industry standards and practices.
• Travel, as required by the Practice and/or client.
• Prepare: 
• Settlement Agreements
• Exhibits and Exhibit Notebooks
• Trial/Mediation Notebooks
• Witness Coordination: Pre-trial Conference, Trial Appearance, Exhibits
• Testimony Outlines
• Initial Witness Interviews
• Trial Notice Letters to Clients and Experts
• Initial draft of trial memo
• Deposition Exams

Attorney Assistance:

• Provide paralegal support on complex/complicated client matters. 
• Provide coverage for other Senior Paralegals during absences or overloads.
• Research and pull statutes, rules, cases, legislative histories, etc.
• Research regarding potential assets (real property TRIOs, Secretary of State business searches, on-line searches, prior criminal and civil case histories, etc.)

Other:

• Enter time into billing system
• Assist in training and implementation of technology systems for Attorneys (i.e., e-discovery)
• Participate in internal paralegal education, development trainings, and department meetings.
• Represent the Firm in legal and community events and activities.
• Participate in Firm committees, events, and socials.

Required Work Experience:

• A Minimum of 5 years of experience in Washington Family Law.
• Experience which enables independent assessment of client matters.
• Experience which enables contribution to the development of case strategy, including working independently and proactively come up with strategic moves and anticipation of next steps.  

Required Skills:

• Developing and maintaining processes to collect, store, and maintain paper and digital case files.
• Ability to learn and follow internal protocols.
• Manage multiple tasks, Attorneys, and clients.
• Good organizational skills.
• Develop interpersonal relationships with other Attorneys, staff, and experts.
• Proofread and edit spelling, punctuation, grammar and required language (content).
• Use technology systems (software) or proven ability to learn. 
• Learn and use technology systems (hardware) including telephone, computer, copier/scan and fax machines.

Required Specialized Knowledge:

• Specialized knowledge related to division of assets (real property, retirement, investments, stocks, life insurance, business formation documents, trust and estate documents, etc.) and the tax implications thereof.
• Experience reading and interpreting tax returns, K1s, and other asset statements.
• Experience with all stages of litigation.
• Experience preparing for and attending trials/arbitrations/mediations/hearings.
• Knowledge of local and state filing rules, procedures and terminology.

Necessary Personal Traits/Attributes:

• Exercise high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Passionate about helping families.
• Team player/Contributor
• Pays high attention to detail

Required Languages:

• Written and Verbal comprehension of English

Required Physical Ability:

• Generally sits for long periods of time (up to 3 hours at a time).
• Consistently work 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday). Occasional overtime may be requested to meet expectations and deadlines.
• Consistent use of computer throughout the day.
• Occasionally climbing stairs.
• Occasionally lifts up to 20 pounds.