Litigation Paralegal

Role and Scope of Position:

Assists the Company attorneys with specific legal duties and tasks through the collection, organization, and preparation of factual and legal documentation.

Litigation:

Support the litigation attorneys with specific legal duties and tasks with respect to various litigation and pre-litigation matters handled in-house as well as by outside counsel.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to manage and organize large caseload including scheduling, short calendar, calendaring, and confirming litigation deadlines and other litigation related events (e.g. depositions, trials);
• Maintains case files and documents including both physical and electronic file management;
• Monitors, accepts and distributes service of process of court documents including complaints, pleadings, subpoenas, and other documents;
• Drafts pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and other routine legal documents as assigned, for review by attorneys;
• Ability to work independently and with in-house claims personnel to gather relevant documentation and assist in factual investigations necessary for legal matters (such as accident investigation, discovery requests, depositions, or company-customer relations);
• Summarizes transcripts, prepares detailed medical chronologies, and participates in witness preparation at the supervising attorney’s request;
• Categorizes and interprets data; reviews and analyzes reports, discovery responses and records produced by opposing counsel including the use of electronic discovery tools;
• Responsibility for responses to third-party subpoenas including tracking deadlines, gathering and reviewing company records for responsiveness, completeness and privilege for attorney review;
• Conducts legal research including federal, state and/or local statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances, decisions and/or case law;
• Prepares memoranda for attorneys which clearly and accurately summarize the collection and findings of research on specifically assigned projects;
• Files records and documentation with official offices, courts, and other state agencies;
• Responds to telephone calls and questions on routine procedural matters and refers important or substantive legal matters to the attorney after preparing the background necessary for attorney action;
• Ability to research officially recorded documents such as deeds, easements, attachments and recorded notices at various state agencies throughout the State(s);
• Provides support to the attorney on specific cases or projects as required and assigned;
• Attention to routine administrative and office responsibilities associated with litigation matters;
• Maintains databases relating to active and closed litigation matters;
• Maintains confidentiality of company records and litigation matters;
• Researches and reviews a wide variety of documents and records in various company files and official offices and courts to obtain necessary information for presentation to the attorney;
• Assists attorneys in organizing and coordinating legal transactions, meetings, and associated activities between various Company departments and outside contacts;
• Conducts interviews with company personnel and outside contacts to obtain factual information necessary for particular legal matters (such as accident investigation, discovery requests, depositions, or company-customer relations);
• Opens matters in online billing software;
• Assists in the creation of Legal Holds and perform ESD searches in existing eDiscovery software program;
• Assists in the development and execution of Case Management Plans for specific litigation matters;
• Provides support to attorneys in other practice areas in the Legal Department, as needed.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education/Licenses/Certifications:

• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Power Point, Excel and Adobe Acrobat;
• Knowledge of motions, discovery, evidence, litigation documentation, court rules, procedures and practices;
• Experience with state and federal court e-filings and systems such as short calendar, PACER and ECF;
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments;
• Understanding of legal principles as they relate to litigation;
• Ability to use clear and concise written and verbal techniques; deal with employees at all levels and outside contacts in a confidential and professional manner;
• Evaluate and analyze relevant data, research and prepare memoranda in a clear and accurate summation;
• Evaluate and analyze moderately complex factual situations in a supervised legal context;
• Must possess strong organizational and inter-personal skills;
• Familiarity with and/or willingness to learn eDiscovery software program;
• Willingness to travel between CT/MA/NH on an occasional basis, as needed to support legal work.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, Associate’s degree, completion of Paralegal Studies Certificate Program or equivalent.
• Ten (10) years of relevant experience