Litigation Paralegal

Job Description

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

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Litigation Paralegal

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The Commercial Litigation Paralegal is responsible for providing advanced legal support and assistance to attorneys in the coordination, management, and supervision of all aspects of litigation, with a focus on construction litigation, commercial real estate and leasing disputes, land use disputes (easements, declarations, and covenants), and complex commercial and business disputes (e.g., breach of contract, partnership and joint venture actions, business torts, fiduciary duty and fraud claims, and trade secret matters), including related arbitration and mediation proceedings in federal and state courts primarily in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The Commercial Litigation Paralegal maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and firm matters.

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Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).

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Client billable hour requirement: 1,550 hours annually

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Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

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Document Production and Discovery

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• Partner with internal teams and vendors to employ and maintain electronic database for large case management.
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• Develop and maintain familiarity with key files relevant to the matter.
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• Prepare subject matter and deposition preparation files by identifying relevant documents in e-discovery databases and preparing chronologies and related analyses based on those documents.
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• Prepare and manage deposition exhibits.
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• Coordinate document retrieval from clients, opposing parties, and third parties under the supervision of the supervising attorneys.
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Motion Practice Support

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• Draft subpoenas, notice letters and similar documents; arrange for service of process for documentation.
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• Assist attorneys with complex caseload research, subject and topic research, and briefing of court cases, including local rules, information and precedent related to venues.
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• Prepare draft responses to pleadings, interrogatories, and requests for admissions.
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• Checks legal and fact cites for proper format, content, standing, and accuracy utilizing Westlaw, LexisNexis and The Bluebook.
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• Working knowledge of Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) procedures is required.
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Trial and Hearing Preparation

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• Attend trials and complex hearings, and provide administrative and logistical trial support, coordinating with vendors, venues, as well as internal and external teams.
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• Assist in the preparation of documents for trial, including maintaining trial exhibit and witness lists.
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Miscellaneous Support

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• Maintain docketing calendar to ensure timely filings, advise attorneys of status dates and changes.
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• Summarize depositions, arbitration transcripts, briefs, and other related documents.
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Supervisory Responsibilities

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• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, has the authority to delegate and supervise work performed by Project Assistant and/or Paralegal I staff on a case-by-case basis.
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Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

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• Bachelor’s degree and nine or more years of progressive work experience in the litigation practice area in a law firm environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Legal research knowledge and ability to use a law library are required. Trial, arbitration, or complex hearing experience required. Paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program a plus.
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• Must have applicable knowledge of the principles of judicial and administrative processes and filing requirements, and experience working with methods of legal research, court rules and procedures, litigation terminology and documentation, docketing procedures, and bates numbering.
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• Proficient in the use and maintenance of Relativity databases, including but not limited to, running and monitoring complex electronic document productions.
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• Proficient with working knowledge of Westlaw and other Internet databases.
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• Proficient with working in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
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• Exhibit high degree of initiative with excellent analytical, technical, and critical-thinking skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic in order to analyze and research litigation-related data, process information, conduct legal research, and perform essential duties.
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• Excellent organizational skills including record keeping, data collection, and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e‑mail, or verbally.
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• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with courtesy and diplomacy, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, clients, staff, and outside contacts.
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• Analytical skills requiring an aptitude for detail and accuracy in order to analyze and research litigation-related data, process information and perform essential duties.
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• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently and make decisions within scope of the position’s responsibilities.
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• Ability to organize, prioritize, and oversee numerous tasks from inception to completion, and ensure work is completed within strict deadlines.
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• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment, adapt to changes in workflow and ensure work is completed within defined deadlines. Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution and follow-through skills.
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• Possess excellent knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, spelling, punctuation, proofreading, and formatting in order to interpret source data, prepare litigation documents and forms, proofread material for grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, and perform file maintenance.
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• Ability to operate standard office equipment including computer, laser printer, telephone, photocopier, calculator, scanner, facsimile, etc.
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• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation and copies, or office supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
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• Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.
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• Ability and availability to travel to other firm locations when required.
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The annualized salary range for this position is $105,000 to $130,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

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We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution, parental leave, transportation fringe benefit program, back-up care option, generous paid time off policy, and long-term and short-term disability policies.

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Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.