Job DescriptionThe Law Department, Practice Operations Strategic Support, Center of Excellence is seeking a highly motivated candidate who demonstrates a strong commitment to compliance and understands the vital importance of accountability. The individual must be able to exercise independent judgment and possess the ability to render sound business decisions. The ideal candidate must be well organized, detail oriented, flexible to handle multiple assignments, and meet deadlines in a demanding, high-volume environment. Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Must make customer experience a priority and effectively interact with customers, employees in other departments, outside agencies, and various levels of management. This position requires knowledge of litigation practices, information gathering and strong communication skills. This role also includes people leader responsibilities for direct reports, including coaching and feedback, staff development, workload management, performance oversight, and fostering collaboration across the team. Additionally, this role entails people leadership responsibilities for direct reports, including coaching, providing feedback, employee development, overseeing workload and performance, and promoting teamwork within the group.
ResponsibilitiesCore Responsibilities- The Center of Excellence Manager serve as liaison between attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff to ensure accurate processing of legal documents in compliance with CPLR requirements, industry standards, and docketing deadlines.
- Collaborating with legal practice areas, train, guide, and support litigation paralegals and legal support staff while monitoring workload balance and work quality.
- Oversee incoming workflow and develop productivity metrics to evaluate performance and efficiency, and identify opportunities for process improvements.
- Responsible for drafting legal documents including, but not limited to: pleadings, motions and discovery.
- Maintain current knowledge of industry standards to ensure that the completion of work assignments align with procedural and docketing deadlines. Ensures that all actions comply with the CPLR.
- Utilize AI tools responsibly for legal research, document review, investigations, and data analysis, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Support investigations and coordinate with governmental and regulatory agencies during major events. Collaborate with managing attorneys on docket audits, case monitoring, and case management initiatives.
- Responsible for the leadership of company employees and contractors, including coaching, providing feedback, employee development, overseeing workload and performance, and promoting teamwork within the group.
- Lead change management efforts, including rollout of new standards, processes, and tools, with quality assurance in LawManager.
- Assist the company during system emergencies by performing a System Emergency Assignment. This may require off-hour and weekend emergency response.
QualificationsRequired Education/Experience- Bachelor's Degree and 7 years of related experience or
- Associate's Degree and 10 years of related experience or
- High School Diploma/GED and 15 years of related experience
Preferred Education/Experience- Bachelor's Degree and 7 years of related experience
Relevant Work Experience- Demonstrated ability to provide advanced paralegal support to attorneys, including drafting pleadings, motions, and complex discovery responses; conducting legal research; supporting trial preparation; and ensuring all matters are handled in compliance with applicable laws; minimum 7 years, required.
- 5-7 years Demonstrated expertise as a paralegal supervisor or managing clerk in a law department or court, preferred.
- 5-7 years Extensive knowledge of court rules and procedures, required.
- Excellent organizational written, interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, required.
- 3-5 years Experience in organizing complicated projects and directing and supervising the work of others, required.
- Proficient with MS software, required.
- Working knowledge of docket management software (e.g., CourtAlert, eDockets, LawManager, or equivalent), required.
Skills and Abilities- Demonstrated problem solving skills
- Articulate and responsive to colleagues
- Demonstrated written communication skills
- Effective conflict management skills
- Excellent collaboration and team building skills
- Ability to inspire and develop staff
- Effective leadership skills
- Builds and manages effective teams
- Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information
- Highly thorough and dependable
- Performs work independently with minimal supervision
- Maintains a high degree of professionalism
- Ability to work within tight timeframes and meet strict deadlines
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Friendly and service-oriented
Licenses and Certifications- Driver's License Required
- Other: NYS Notary 60 Days Required
- Other: Paralegal Certificate Preferred
Physical Demands- Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 25 pounds
- Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 40 pounds
- Sit or stand to answer a phone for the duration of the workday
- Sit or stand to use a keyboard, mouse, and computer for the duration of the workday
- Possess manual dexterity and the ability to use hands for the duration of the workday
- Ability to stoop, bend, reach, and kneel throughout the workday
- Stand to use/operate office equipment for the duration of the workday
- Ability to read small print and symbols
Additional Physical Demands- The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
- The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
