California Paralegal Manager

Summary: A vital element of Practice Support at the firm, this department leadership position is responsible for regional management of paralegals in California to ensure the effective provision of paralegal services to the firms lawyers.

Key components of the role include monitoring the performance of individual paralegals, both on specific case teams as well as within the department over time, proactive engagement to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the paralegal services and related case management, resolution of any performance problems, mentoring paralegals and modeling and teaching best practices; staying current with legal industry trends, and the evolving needs of the firms lawyers.

This is a hybrid position based out of the Firm's San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Palo Alto office with regular, regional travel required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the success of the CA office paralegal program according to standard business metrics such as utilization, equity in hours, client satisfaction, and quality of work product and services provided.
• Actively manage the productivity and effectiveness of paralegals. Assign projects and coordinate workflow and resource availability. Assume a lead role in the initiation of new projects and, as needed, the remediation of any projects and staffing situations that are not optimal.
• Acquire and maintain a working knowledge of active case schedules, required paralegal skills, and case-teams compositions. Play a lead role in assisting senior lawyers on cases to ensure effective case management.
• Provide continuing training for paralegals by coordinating outside training resources, and by creating and presenting in-house training programs.
• Review and approve paralegals billable and pro bono hours. Maintain other administrative records, including attendance and Paid Time Off. Produce corresponding documentation/reports as needed.
• Facilitate yearly performance evaluations and compensation reviews, in addition to providing continuous performance management, feedback and constructive criticism to paralegals.
• Manage and resolve personnel problems. Partner with Human Resources to carry out escalated disciplinary actions, including terminating employees.
• Ensure effective communication, collaboration and cooperation between the Paralegal group and other Firm departments.
• Liaise and coordinate with paralegal management in other Firm offices regarding paralegal resource availability and assignments involving cross-office matters.
• Lead regular departmental meetings, as well as individual meetings with paralegals, as needed.
• Oversee and guide the annual recruitment, interviewing and selection process of entry-level paralegals. Facilitate senior and specialist paralegal recruiting and selection.Coordinate candidate interviews with practice group leaders and Firm management, as appropriate.
• Assume full ownership of departmental orientation, integration, and training of new paralegals.
• Perform other duties as directed by Firm management and Sr. Paralegal Management.
• Uphold high standards of confidentiality, discretion, and integrity, particularly with respect to all sensitive and/or confidential firm and client information to which this position will have access.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will have at least five years of paralegal supervisory/management experience in an AMLAW 100 or 200 firm or similar corporate legal environment. Prior experience as a litigation paralegal is strongly preferred.
• Work experience must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the modern US civil litigation and arbitration processes, trial support, and commensurate litigation support and discovery management procedures and concepts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.Demonstrated diplomacy and sound judgment managing in a large, fast-paced corporate setting. Proven ability to forge collegial relationships with staff and management at all levels.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software programs, particularly Word and Excel, for the preparation and maintenance of budgets and schedules.
• Experience with common litigation support platforms (e.g., Concordance, Relativity) is preferred.
• Working understanding of AI tools like CoPilot and Harvey.
• Travel is required to the other California offices (SF and PA) twice a month, or more frequently, as dictated by case needs.
• BA or BS degree required; JD or MBA preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Status: Exempt

Reports To: Sr. Paralegal Manager

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Salary Range of $136,000 - $179,000 (Dependent on experience and location)

Candidates hired for staff positions with a minimum work schedule of 30 hours per week are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare insurance. Learn more about benefits at Covington.

View Covington job applicant privacy notice here:

Covington & Burling LLP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any aspect of employment, including hiring, salary, promotion, discipline, termination, and benefits, on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family responsibility, disability (including physical handicap), or any other improper criterion.

Covington will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with applicable laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.