Litigation Paralegal

Company: Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
Location: Edwardsville
Posted on: March 17, 2023

Job Description:

Overview

Our Madison County, IL/Edwardsville, IL office is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join our team. The ideal candidate would have experience in general liability and asbestos litigation.

The paralegal's purpose is to support a minimum of four (4) attorneys depending on the practice area(s) and complexity of cases in all aspects of discovery and trial preparation. Through formal education, training and experience, paralegals are expected to have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney. The paralegal will perform a broad range of case-related duties from case inception to conclusion (including through trial, as needed), all under the supervision of an attorney. This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including a 401K with employer contribution.

Responsibilities

The following list of essential functions is not exhaustive and other duties may be assigned in addition to those listed. The items listed are considered daily functions associated with this position:

• Meet the billable expectation of 1,600 hours per year
• Work hand-in-hand with attorneys on case planning, development and management
• Review and organize all records, documents and deposition testimony to ensure completeness of all file materials
• Extensive document management
• Draft correspondence, discovery, discovery responses, mediation and arbitration briefs, pleadings, motions, and reports upon request of attorney
• Contact opposing counsel when discovery responses are not timely provided
• Review and summarize information relevant to the case obtained through discovery requests, depositions and records
• Coordinate and schedule depositions; prepare notices and subpoenas as needed
• Coordinate with parties, witnesses and experts regarding interviews and meetings, including taking written statements if needed
• Coordinate and attend site and document inspections, as required
• Review all documents being produced for any privileged information and prepare privilege logs, as necessary
• Attend team calendar meetings and make sure that all individuals involved in any case are aware of all calendar items
• Schedule and notice IMEs
• Conduct research through the library both manual and electronic, as needed
• Assist in the preparation of the case for trial by drafting and preparing pre-trial documentation, including opening statements, jury questionnaires, jury instructions, and motions in limine; contacting witnesses and preparing subpoenas as necessary; prepare attorney trial notebooks, as well as witness/exhibit binders
• In some cases, the paralegal will be required to attend trial and jury selection, as well as meetings with witnesses and experts
• Coordinate and arrange for required fees to be paid during trial, including experts, jury and reporter fees
• Act as liaison between attorney and clients, carriers, experts, witnesses and other counsel, when requested by attorney
• May provide computer litigation support Qualifications
  
  Qualified candidates will have a minimum of five (5) years litigation experience in a legal environment. A Paralegal certificate may be required based on region, state or client requirements. An individual in this position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
  
  Must be able to operate required automated equipment, including but not limited to computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, calculators and telephone system. Must be able to exert up to 15 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects as needed. This is a sedentary position that involves sitting for long periods of time, but may involve walking, standing, bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, pulling or pushing. Work occasionally requires more than forty hours/week to perform the essential duties of the position. Overtime requires pre-approval of the direct supervising attorney or the Office Administrator. Work may require local or overnight travel
  
  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Follow the ethical requirements as set forth by the Rules of the Court and State Bar
  • Knowledge of State/Federal court rules and procedures (including calendaring)
  • Proficiency in legal research, including the use of Lexis, Westlaw, CD-Rom services, Internet services and library materials, as well as factual research
  • Demonstrated ability to interact at a professional level with clients and attorneys
  • Effective communications and organization skills; detail-oriented
  • Effective planning, problem solving and analytical skills, ingenuity, judgment and administrative skills in managing practice areas
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure as required by deadlines, etc.
  • Ability to exhibit professionalism and promote positive work habits, including effective and timely communication, teamwork and respect for co-workers
  • Communicate critical information by conveying that information clearly, accurately, honestly and concisely in accordance with firm policies and procedures
  • Identify, coordinate and optimize resources needed to execute plans; modify goals and plans, when needed
  • Use systematic approach to problem solving and troubleshooting
  • Strive to exceed goals and expectations
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize, with little supervision; must be well organized
  • Ability to comply with safe work practices, including the use of safe work procedures, maintenance of a safe work area and the use of safety equipment
  • Ability to grasp and apply new ideas quickly and with minimal instruction
  • Ability to adapt to changing work situations
  • Computer literate
  • MS Office, CACI, legal research software

Keywords: Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, Springfield , Litigation Paralegal, Legal , Edwardsville, Illinois