LITIGATION PARALEGAL

Litigation Paralegal -


Job No: 77801 – http://www.jobs.dc.gov/ or http://www.dcnetworks.org/

Position Description


For a Paralegal whose primary duties consist of performing litigation work in any department and/or office of the firm:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

1. Meeting expectations of billable hours with an annual billable hours target of 1,725 unless otherwise specified;

2. Performing work in an efficient and cost-effective manner so as to permit the Firm to reasonably collect fees for such work;

3. Organizing, reviewing, analyzing and controlling case documents;

4. Assisting in design and preparation of databases;

5. Preparing and maintaining case calendars;

6. Assisting in preparation of pleadings, affidavits, declarations and memoranda of points and authorities;

7. Preparing trial notebooks and exhibits;

8. Assisting attorneys during trial by keeping track of witnesses, exhibits, testimony and documents;

9. Preparing bills of costs;

10. Researching public records; and

11. Cite checking and bluebooking briefs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Able to maintain a sedentary position for up to 2½ hours at a time while operating a personal computer;

2. Able to type, grasp, grip, push and pull file drawers and doors;

3. Able to walk and climb stairs or use elevator to coordinate with other Firm departments;

4. Able to bend, stoop, kneel and/or stand to access files and documents; and

5. Able to lift up to 20 lbs. of files and/or boxes.

ATTENDANCE:

Prompt and daily attendance required. Some overtime, including early morning, evening and/or weekend work, may be required.

TYPICAL DUTIES:

1. Digests/summarizes depositions and other transcripts, including those of technical or expert witnesses;

2. Analyzes/summarizes documents, interrogatories, medical records and other factual information, including sophisticated or technical information related to legal issues;

3. Supervises and participates in document productions;

4. Prepares any and all documents/pleadings requested by the attorney, including, but not limited to, the following: subpoenas, deposition notices, document requests, document responses, responses to interrogatories, requests for admissions, complaints, and answers to complaints;

5. Locates and interviews witnesses; arranges for expert witnesses;

6. Drafts declarations and affidavits;

7. Reviews files to recommend documents to obtain or witnesses to interview/depose;

8. Reviews pleadings and briefs for accuracy of factual information;

9. Cite checks, Shepardizes and proofreads;

10. Performs statistical, factual and some legal research and compiles data into chart formats or analyses; performs computer investigations of individuals and businesses;

11. Assists in design, implementation of and/or revisions to system for computer support litigation;

12. Drafts pretrial statements and settlement conference memos;

13. Prepares drafts of jury instructions and voir dire;

14. Pretrial activities: assesses needs for trial and witness books; organizes and supervises preparation of same; organizes trial exhibits; arranges witness attendance at trial; prepares charts/graphs to be used at trial;

15. Trial activities: attends and assists at trial, which includes: monitoring documents and evidence; assuring presence of witnesses; preparing and monitoring visual aids; taking notes on testimony; tracking of exhibits introduced and marked into evidence; digesting trial transcripts;

16. Post-trial activities: assists in drafting of appellate briefs; locates assets and collection of judgments; prepares bill of costs; and

17. Coordinates case/team activities with clients’ legal staff/departments and participates in client meetings.

Management retains the discretion to add to or change the Essential Functions or Typical Duties of the position at any time.

Requirements:

1. Four-year college degree; and

2. Paralegal certificate from ABA-approved program or relevant experience.

Ability to:

1. Recognize, evaluate and organize relevant facts and legal concepts;

2. Work well with attorneys and other paralegals in a team environment;

3. Work under pressure;

4. Meet constant deadlines;

5. Handle multiple case assignments from multiple attorneys;

6. Organize and prioritize and manage time effectively so as to be able to perform both short-term and long-term assignments;

7. Prepare and respond to all types of discovery, including subpoenas, interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, etc.;

8. Prepare correspondence, memos, privilege logs and other documents;

9. Organize and analyze documents and maintain control of documents and files;
10. Perform limited factual and legal research, including, but not limited to, research using the Internet, Lexis, Westlaw or other computer services and/or software;

11. Communicate effectively with clients, both orally and in writing;

12. Learn and become proficient in the use of new computer skills and applications;

13. Develop and maintain good relations with governmental agencies and officers of the court;

14. Maintain flexible working hours, including working overtime as needed (with little or no advance notice);

15. Travel out of town (with little or no advance notice) when required; and

16. Uphold a high level of ethical standards.

In addition, an individual with the title “Paralegal” will be expected to have the ability to:

A. Perform entry-level tasks (i.e., less complex or substantive projects);

B. Work under the frequent supervision by senior paralegals and attorneys;
C. Follow procedures, forms, guidelines, etc., established by the department or the Firm;
D. Have limited responsibility for projects;

E. Have limited client contact on an individual basis (or have client contact under the supervision of attorneys or senior paralegals); and
F. Perform limited factual and legal research under an attorney’s supervision

HOW TO APPLY: See Job Order number 77801 or Title, Litigation Paralegal by visiting http://www.jobs.dc.gov/
or http://www.dcnetworks.org/

WORKSHOP FOR BECOMING A CERTIFIED INSURANCE SPECIALIST

Omni Insurance will hold a Workshop for learning How to Become a Certified Insurance Specialist

Wednesday, August 25, 2010
10 AM - 11:30 AM @ 2626 Naylor Road SE - One Stop Career Service Center
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM @ 1500 Franklin Street NE - One Stop Career Service Center

To RSVP, please leave send an email to naisummer@yahoo.com or leave a message at 814-409-9354. In the message, please leave your name, contact number and identify which location you are planning to attend (10 am at Naylor Road or 1 pm at Franklin Street)