What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction Law Paralegal position at Bernstein Shur?
Bernstein Shur, a New England-based law firm that advises clients across the U.S. and around the world, is seeking a Construction Law Paralegal to work in its Portland, Maine office.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Construction Law Paralegal is responsible for supporting and facilitating the both the transactional and litigation needs of Construction Law attorneys. The successful candidate will be a resourceful and technically proficient team player who is able to anticipate and proactively manage day-to-day administrative needs in a fast-paced, yet uniquely positive office culture. The firm’s paralegals have exceptional organizational skills, demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, and exercise the utmost discretion.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
- Conduct pre-claim investigation, legal research, and initial case assessments
- Conduct title searches, draft abstracts, lien certificates, and lien discharges
- Proofread and redline documents, correspondence, and memoranda to ensure accuracy of grammar, punctuation, and syntax
- Draft pleadings, motions and supporting documents for attorney review
- Maintain pleadings and discovery indexes
- Cite check briefs and other pleadings, create appendices, and tables of authority
- Organize exhibits, documents, evidence, briefs, and appendices
- Aid attorneys with interrogatories and other discovery requests and responses as well as assist with all aspects of eDiscovery
- Conduct legal and factual research, organize documents, and manage extensive document production for litigation cases.
- Liaise between trial teams and internal/external third parties
- Attend trial, handle exhibit presentations, etc.
- Assist with case settlements
- Coordinate conference calls, Zoom meetings, interoffice and outside meetings
- Attend to file maintenance within the firm’s document management system
- Billable work as assigned with a goal of 1200 billable hours per year
- Perform a variety of administrative and paralegal functions
- Additional duties as assigned
DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Ambitious, enthusiastic, positive can-do attitude, and polished professional demeanor; a healthy sense of humor will be considered a plus. Tenacious in meeting deadlines with a strong sense of timeliness, decision-making, and good self-management discipline
- Technologically savvy; expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite 365; ability to work effectively within the firm’s document management and billing applications
- Superior ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization and with firm clients
- Superior writing skills
- Work discretely with confidential information
- Must be proactive, accountable and have excellent judgment
- Detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment while making very few errors
- Must be adaptable to change and remain calm under pressure
- 5 years of construction law, real estate law, or litigation experience a plus
- Paralegal certificate a plus
ENVIRONMENT
- Office Setting
- Computer based work
- Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 15 lbs
- Sit/stand for extended periods of time
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Reliable attendance in the office
BENEFITS PACKAGE
- Hybrid work environment (at least three days in the office, Wednesday anchor day)
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Group life and disability insurance
- Financial wellness program
- 401(k) employer match and profit sharing
- 23 days PTO in the first year of employment
- 11 paid holidays
- 16 weeks paid parental leave
- Mobile data reimbursement
- Free parking
ABOUT BERNSTEIN SHUR
Our 100 award-winning attorneys and professionals are driven, dominant, and deliver results. The ideal candidate will have a growth mindset, strive to achieve the highest level of professional excellence, and thrive in an atmosphere that’s collaborative, authentic, and respectful. We have exceptionally high standards for everything we do, and we’re looking for high-energy candidates who want to make a big impact. We work together to continually raise the bar and put our clients’ interests first. In 2023, Bernstein Shur was named one of Maine’s Best Places to Work for the twelfth time. It’s a reflection of our values and firm-wide commitment to create a culture that believes in diversity, flexibility, and family-friendly policies. Simply put, we desire to do great work—and have great lives.
Bernstein Shur is an equal opportunity employer.
