Paralegal Manager

Paralegal ManagerFreeman Mathis & Gary, LLP is a nationally recognized Am Law 200 law firm with over 500 attorneys servicing clients in 40 offices and 22 states seeking an experienced paralegal to join our Boston, Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, or Newark office. The Paralegal Manager oversees and manages an assigned group of Paralegals. The Paralegal Manager onboards, trains and supervises their assigned paralegal team and will be the first contact for any questions related to the paralegal role, offering advice and guidance on substantive work. Responsibilities include coordinating assignments and workflow, assisting with firm initiatives, coordinating and/or providing training, and maintaining direct daily contact with attorneys and support staff. This position reports to the Director of Legal Operations. Candidates must have substantive familiarity with the litigation process (i.e., case management, discovery, databases, privilege logs, court filings, e-filing, cite checking) and have the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Paralegals need well-developed Microsoft Office skills, the ability to solve problems, and communicate well with all levels of the FMG team.The following set of success factors describe the characteristics of those who are successful in our Firm:Helpful, Congenial, Personable, PositiveUnpretentious, Approachable, Respectful, Team OrientedAccountable, Takes Ownership, Corrects MistakesOrganized, Timely, Confidential, Responsive (within 24 hours)Essential Job Functions:Monitors and assigns paralegal support to specific matters, determining scheduling and support requirements while ensuring that all deadlines are metManages timekeeping of direct reports by reviewing and approving weekly timecards, PTO requests, and monitoring and managing overtime requestsConducts performance reviewsCoordinates training regarding all paralegal skills and support applications (includes coordinating seminars and educational gatherings as needed and ensuring MCLE requirements are met)Understand and able to perform basic employee relationsRecruit, interview, and hire Paralegals; review/vet resumes, conduct and coordinate interviews, and obtain final approval for hiringWork closely with firmwide Directors and Managers to implement and improve Paralegal policies and proceduresMonitor costs and expenses to assist in budget preparationAssists in analyzing and reporting on paralegals' time to assess workload, productivity, and ability to meet ongoing Firm needsProvides paralegal support to attorneys with case organization, document management, witness interviews, discovery matters, administrative tasks, and trialsAssists attorneys with the preparation of a civil case for trialObtains, reviews, analyzes, and summarizes legal and evidentiary documents pertaining to casesManages discovery process and conduct records managementSchedules depositions and other meetings with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court reporters and othersIdentifies, locates, interviews, and evaluates potential experts and sends expert packages to parties for reviewTracks requests for documents and regularly follows up on progress of receiptSummarizes case records, create chronologies, and summarize discovery responsesOrganizes and prioritizes numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints with minimal supervision and exceptional attention to detailPerforms legal research quickly and efficiently to inform attorney decisionsOrganizes and maintains case files, coordinating with Legal Assistants and other staffRegularly reviews files and proactively works to move cases forwardEnsures all functions are performed in accordance with applicable client guidelinesKeeps accurate time records and meet a 600 annual billable hours requirementMaintains positive relationships with firm attorneys, co-counsel, clients, and vendorsAssist with special projects and additional duties as assigned.Education, Experience, and Skills:Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience requiredCertificate in Paralegal studies required5-7 years defense litigation paralegal experienceCivil litigation experience requiredFamiliarity with performing legal and factual research tasks using web-based legal research servicesProficiency in an electronic file setting, comfortable with a paperless systemiManage experienceMust successfully pass a background/drug screenExperience billing time in compliance with client guidelines and meeting a monthly billing targetProficient in software programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Westlaw and Kofax PDF editorAbility to work independently and as part of a teamAbility to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraintsFamiliarity with workflow, roles, and responsibilities of professionals on legal teamsExcellent communication skills and ability to work with a wide variety of people at every level of the organizationConsummate professional, even tempered, and problem solverExperience in a leadership or management role a plusAbility to manage changing priorities and pressure situationsOpen to improving and eager to develop professionallyWhat we offer you:Competitive compensationComprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and visionHSA and FSA plans available for employees and dependentsWork-life balanceGenerous PTO policy401K plan including a 3% Employer Safe Harbor contributionFirm paid life insurance and long-term disabilityEmployee Assistance ProgramYear-end bonuses and referral fee programsEEO Statement:Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP (FMG) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees by maintaining a workplace free of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status as provided by law. FMG complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This position is subject to our drug?free workplace policy, which includes the ability to pass a pre?employment drug screen. Employees may be subject to reasonable?suspicion drug testing in accordance with Firm policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.