Paralegal Analyst (New York)

Balestriere Law Firm is seeking a paralegal-legal analyst for immediate hire who wants the best training you can get before law school if you want to be a trial lawyer.

We seek recent college graduates to make a commitment of at least a year and a half through at least May 2028. Please do not apply if you cannot commit to this time period.

This is a full time, business hours, in-office position. There is overtime. There can be weekend work; there will be weekend work if you're on trial, have a major filing, or must address a significant client emergency.

We want those who interested in increasing responsibility during their time at the firm, doing work that actually matters, growing and learning as our firm grows, ready to be on teams and take direction, but also able to take initiative and get through the day without being told every task to perform.

You will have a huge amount of freedom and autonomy to do your work, but at the same time will have to be ready to have your schedule during work hours taken over by having to jump in, without notice, on work at the direction of lawyers -- from straightforward tasks such as being on a previously unplanned call, to shifting gears entirely and throwing yourself into a new case.

No education beyond college is needed. Prior writing experience helps, but if you're a good writer we'll make you a great one. Being careful is essential. Being organized and liking rules means this job and this profession may be for you. Flexibility is key. You will learn a ton, but you have to be ready to take the initiative to do all you can to teach yourself under the supervision of highly experienced trial lawyers, besides whom you'll work on complicated cases that matter.

If you want this position be ready to work hard, grow, have fun, do justice, and serve clients.

KEY FEATURES OF THIS ATYPICAL POST-COLLEGE, PRE-LAW SCHOOL POSITION

Analysts work very closely with one another as well as our lawyers on all aspects of our very diverse array of disputes and investigations, and in all parts of running our firm as a business.

This is not a typical paralegal position. It is not for everyone. You will not be coddled. You will have real responsibility. We handle highly complex, very sensitive matters at our small practice, in courts and arbitrations in New York and around the country, for clients from all around the world. We cannot do what we do for our clients without great, committed analysts who own their work and want to do a great job with their colleagues, both on cases, and ensuring our success as a business.

There are regular touch-base meetings and other protocols we follow, but it is hard to describe a typical week or day. We do what is needed working together to win for clients.

You will matter at this firm - to your colleagues and to firm clients - so we require at least two full months' notice (absent exigent circumstances) before you move on which we will help you to do however we can.

To that end, please keep in mind that we do not favor those leaving any employment position less than 12 months after working in such position so if you do apply please be prepared to explain why you are leaving your present position within a year of starting work.

TRAINING

Development of analysts in the law is baked in to the job.

There is some organized training including weekly meetings on the first day of the week when junior staff share what they have learned with senior staff commenting, generally weekly training lunches regarding a topic of present concern, and a few times a year when we have day long training sessions to tighten our practices.

However, most training is done by the constant back and forth of working with senior lawyers on all kinds of trial matters. This includes discussion after key events (such as a hearing or a large filing) of what we did well and how we can improve, but also near daily revision of documents, and frequent discussion at daily case meetings of the work we do.

START DATE IS WITHIN WEEKS

Please note: we do mean immediate hire -- we would like someone to begin with us in the next few weeks. Please keep this in mind if you do not live locally.

NOT FOR LAWYERS

Please further note: if you have a law degree of any kind, whether from the United States or overseas you are not a good fit for this position. Please do not apply if you are in law school, have a J.D., or have an LL.M .

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ABOUT OUR FIRM AND THE POSITION

Balestriere is a trials and investigations law firm.

Our firm serves businesses, institutions, and individuals involved in disputes around the world. Our team represents our clients at all stages of a dispute including at trial, in arbitration hearings, and in appellate courts, in intense negotiations, in investigations, and when dealing with the government. We drive cases to win.

Some (but not all) Responsibilities of an Analyst

• Assist lawyers and any firm staff, including co-counsel of the Firm, in any work of any kind needed to serve clients and run the firm as a business.
• Manage case calendars and dockets.
• Conduct factual and legal research.
• Prepare and file and otherwise address legal documents under supervision of lawyers.
• Coordinate and participate in case events.
• Communicate with clients and assist in managing client relationships.
• Conduct client and witness interviews.
• Serve as a liaison between attorneys and the courts.
• Serve an essential role in all aspects of evidence development and discovery including exchange of evidence and in depositions, as well as all manner of court and arbitration appearances, including arguments, evidentiary hearings, and trials.
• Run and follow up on invoices.
• Assist in marketing and client development.
• Perform any administrative, business, or executive assistant tasks of any kind which are needed to run the Firm as an efficient, client focused, winning, profitable, justice oriented business.

Required Degree and Skills

• Bachelor's degree (further degrees not needed nor preferred; do not apply if you have an advanced degree - but please do not apply if you do not yet have a college degree unless you are graduating within the month).
• Superior writing and editing skills (which we will hone and develop).
• General proficiency in general office programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently under strict deadlines.
• Flexibility to pivot from one task to another, including addressing unexpected tasks on a routine basis.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, adherence to the rules of courts and practices of our firm, and a commitment to accuracy.
• Desire to grow and learn, particularly in working in teams, in writing, and in tactical thinking.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, and an ability to work independently as well as closely with others; in particular certain tasks will often be done alone, and after given direction, without constant supervision.
• An ability to multitask and prioritize and trust your judgment and to make decisions on your own.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

• We have a particular interest in hiring those who are first generation college graduates in their family.
• Note : no prior paralegal training or experience is required or even expected.
• Highly Desired (but not required) : One to three years of prior work experience in any work environment.

Salary and Benefits

The starting salary is $60,000 per year. Employees participate in the firm's health, vision, and dental insurance plans, and the firm pays for most costs associated with insurance. The firm is developing (but does not yet have) a retirement or pension program. Raises are given after six months of successful employment and twelve months of successful employment along with a reaffirmation by the paralegal analyst to her time commitment.

Application Process

Please apply initially through LinkedIn. If we are interested in an interview we shall message you to set up a video meeting and at that time ask you to email your resume (even if you have sent it previously), writing samples, and a list of references. We shall not immediately contact references.

If we proceed through the process we shall then ask you to come into our office space (please note we do not provide reimbursement for any travel) to meet with multiple staff.

After an initial in office meeting, and perhaps a second office meeting with further staff, we will ask to speak with your three references (and we prefer employer, rather than school, references) whom we will contact.

Finally, after that we may ask you to return to the office for a final in person interview.