Paralegal

Purpose of the Job:
Responsible for supporting attorneys in the various aspects of litigation related to case preparation, management, and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Obtain, review, analyze, and summarize legal documentation pertaining to cases.
• Track requests for documents and regularly follow up on progress of receipt.
• Regularly review files and proactively work to move cases forward.
• Document files and update clients when necessary regarding the status of cases.
• Participate in all aspects of discovery and file or trial preparation as required by supervisor.
• Schedule depositions and other meetings with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court reporters, and others.
• Make travel arrangements and provide directions and other necessary information to attorneys.
• File documents with the various courts.
• Perform research pertaining to legal issues and precedents related to particular cases.
• May draft legal documents such as answers, jury demands, interrogatories, and responses.
• Maintain an expert database and research opposing counsel's experts.
• Identify, locate, interview, and evaluate potential experts and send expert packages to parties for review.
• Perform clerical duties such as typing and filing to the extent required to produce work product or assure proper organization of case files.
• Ensure all functions are performed in exact accordance with applicable client guidelines.
• Enter billable time into the computer on a daily basis.
• Meet a minimum billing requirement of 140 hours per month and 1,680 hours per year. This requirement is not reduced by paid or unpaid time off, mandatory training, or performance of non-billable functions.
• Perform non-billable functions, including but not limited to participating on strategic committees, assisting in seminar development, assisting with production of presentations, and mentoring and training new employees.
• Remain flexible and open to requests for support or assistance outside the scope of this job description and perform other duties as directed by the Management team.

Required Qualifications:
Education

• Associate's degree or certified paralegal education preferred, or an equivalent level of knowledge of legal principles and practices.

Experience

• Knowledge of legal principles and practices sufficient to provide support for attorney team members in case management and information gathering.
• Knowledge of the various courts, their rules, and filing requirements.

Skills

• Interpersonal skills necessary 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.
• Comprehensive computer and office equipment experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Work requires sitting, bending, stooping, computer keyboarding, continuous use of the hands, telephone contact, and reading.
• Work may require lifting 25 to 50 pounds or more.
• Work may require traveling to offsite locations for the collection of records and information or filing of documents with courts; therefore, work may require driving.

Performance Measures:
Goals

• Timely and accurate support of attorneys in litigation case preparation, management, and execution.
• Accurate and timely handling of discovery, document tracking, court filings, and case status updates.
• Daily entry of billable time.
• Achievement of the minimum billing requirement of 140 hours per month and 1,680 hours per year.
• Performance of work in exact accordance with applicable client guidelines.

Competencies

• Legal research and analytical ability.
• Organization and attention to detail.
• Client service and communication.
• Confidentiality and integrity.
• Initiative, flexibility, and responsiveness.

Working Conditions:

• Work may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position and to meet financial goal requirements.
• Professional office environment with frequent interaction with attorneys, staff, clients, experts, courts, and outside parties.
• Work may include offsite travel for records collection, information gathering, and court filings.