The litigation paralegal will support all aspects of large-scale, complex litigation primarily within the Supreme Court and Appellate group. The position will require overtime and may involve some travel.
Duties and Responsibilities: Appellate Case Preparation and Support
- Support attorneys in all phases of appellate litigation, including matters before the United States Supreme Court and federal and state appellate courts
- Assist with preparation, review and filing of briefs, appendices, joint appendices and other appellate submissions
- Compile and organize appellate records, including trial court documents, transcripts and record excerpts
- Format briefs in strict compliance with applicable court rules, including word limits, citation format and technical requirements
- Track briefing schedules, deadlines and jurisdiction-specific procedural requirements
- Draft and distribute high-level summaries of appellate orders and opinions to the Supreme Court and Appellate group
- Coordinate printing, binding, service and electronic filing of appellate submissions
- Assist with preparation for oral arguments, including assembling moot court materials and presentation binders
- Prepare demonstratives and other presentation materials as needed
Legal Research and Citation Support
- Perform expert-level Bluebook citation and cite-checking, including proofreading briefs and other appellate filings with exceptional precision and attention to detail
- Verify record citations and confirm accuracy of quoted authorities
- Conduct legal and procedural research using Westlaw, LexisNexis, PACER, and related tools
- Assist with drafting procedural motions and preparing tables of authorities and contents
- Maintain in-depth familiarity with Supreme Court and appellate court rules and procedures
Case Management and Document Administration
- Support complex litigation matters transitioning from trial through appeal
- Maintain organized tracking systems for filings, deadlines and case developments
- Coordinate with trial teams to obtain and organize materials relevant to appellate review
- Manage electronic and hard copy documents using Firm-specific technology
- Prepare and process electronic filings using PACER, CM/ECF and other court-specific systems
- Maintain databases of briefs, opinions and key authorities
Collaboration and Professional Responsibilities
- Coordinate with attorneys, business professionals, vendors and court personnel regarding appellate matters
- Delegate tasks to and oversee Project Assistants and temporary staff when appropriate
- Maintain proficiency in technology relevant to appellate practice
- Communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal formats
- Perform other duties as requested or assigned
Education and/or Experience: Required:- BA/BS with strong academic credentials
- At least seven years of paralegal experience at a medium or large law firm, or equivalent experience in academia, including work toward and completion of an advanced degree
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications and Adobe Professional
- Strong research, analytical and written communication skills
- A writing sample must be submitted with the resume
Preferred:- Paralegal Certificate from an ABA accredited program
- Prior experience supporting appellate or complex litigation matters
- Proficient in the use of Relativity, Case Notebook and other eDiscovery software
Other Skills and Abilities:In addition to the above, the following are required of the successful candidate:
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent attention to detail and proofreading skills
- Good judgment
- Works harmoniously and effectively with others as part of a team
- Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
- A self-starter who shows ownership and commitment to the role
- Exercises discretion and maintains confidentiality
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The target salary range for this role is:
$120,000 - $140,000 if located in Washington, D.C.
Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.
