Job Description

• Summary:

  Assists attorneys in all aspects of litigation with a primary focus on product liability, construction, commercial and administrative law. Position requires working with clients and attorneys to prepare and maintain documents. Administers multiple deadline- sensitive case management duties. Tracks project deadlines, identifying and applying various guidelines of differing jurisdictions. This position requires someone who is extremely well organized and a self-starter.

  FLSA Status:

  Hourly Non-Exempt

  Other Responsibilities— Specific Areas:

  • Incertain cases, preparation of stipulation extending period in which to answer or otherwise respond to complaint;
  • Preparationof initial draft of answer or other responsive pleadings;
  • Obtain and index/organize all documents provided by the client relative to the litigation, including chronology of documents;
  • Preparation of initial draft of interrogatories, requests for admissions and requests for production of documents;
  • Ifnecessary, schedule appointment with expert witness(es), prepare draft letter to expert, forwarding materials for his/her review;
  • Preparationof initial draft notices of depositions, scheduling of reporter and conference room, preparation of subpoena, when necessary;
  • Incertain cases, review of deposition transcript and preparation of outline of same;
  • Extensive preparation and organization of client's documents for production, in certain cases by e-discovery;
  • Extensive organization of documents produced, in certain cases by e-discovery;
  
  
  • Scheduling of witness interview, informing witness of trial dates; in certain cases, the paralegal may be asked to conduct an initial interview;
  • Preparationof motions as requested by assigning attorney, for example, motions to compel, motions to show cause, motion in contempt;
  • Schedulecourt reporter and arrange for location for deposition;
  • The litigation paralegalmay be requested to do limited legal research, jury verdict research, expert witness research, obtaining case law, sherardizing and cite checkinp cases from briefs; (the litigation paralegal should have a good working knowledge of Westlaw);
  • Preparation and selection of and marking exhibits for depositions and/or trial;
  • Pre-trial check of jury questionnaires and jury lists;
  • Ifnecessary,   work with attorneys on arbitration/trial exhibits and potential testimony using litigation support software;
  • In certain cases, the paralegal will be asked to attend arbitration/trial with the attorney;
  • In cases which are settled, preparation on an initial draft of release and dismissal entry;
  • In cases to be appealed, preparation of Notice of Appeal, precise and docketing statements as well as preparation of outline of trial transcript;
  • In certain cases, preparation of post-judgment documents, including principes for certificates of judgment; non-wage garnishments and wage garnishments;
  • Thelitigation paralegal should follow-up various details in specific cases as requested the assigning attorney;
  • Closingfiles: work on organizing all files, with detailed index for easy retrieval in the future, in

  The above listing is by no means exhaustive, however, it does give a basic

  outline of the type of work which the litigation paralegal will be asked to perform. Education, Experience and Skills Required:

  • Minimum five years' experience in litigation law practice; construction experience preferred
  • Strong understanding of litigation terms and technological skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, some knowledge of the capabilities of litigation software such as: Relativity
  • Superior research skills, including the use of online services, databases and the Internet
  • Superiororganizational skills
  
  
  • Projectand case management skills including a strong aptitude for managing and prioritizing multiple projects and deadlines
  • Excellentwritten and verbal communication skills as well as analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills
  • Ability to work independently and maintain a high degree of confidentiality

  Physical Requirements:

  • Sitting frequently, six out of eight hours per day
  • Sitting position static for up to one-half hour at a time
  • Liftingand carrying up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to one hour per day
  • Bendingand stooping occasionally, up to one-half hour per day