Appellate Litigation Paralegal – Global Firm

Hawthorne Lane; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Hawthorne Lane in Washington, DC seeks an experienced Appellate Paralegal to support appellate and Supreme Court cases in federal and state courts. You will manage filings, conduct high-level cite-checks, and perform legal research while collaborating closely with partners and a tight-knit team.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of paralegal experience, preferably with ABA-accredited certification and appellate litigation exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• ABA-accredited Paralegal Certification preferred.
• Minimum five years of paralegal experience in appellate/complex litigation is ideal.
• Strong Bluebook cite-checking and legal research skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support appellate and US Supreme Court cases in federal and state courts.
• Prepare, format, and review briefs, summaries, and court submissions.
• Manage filings, deadlines, and case documentation for accessibility.
• Conduct expert-level Bluebook citation checks and legal research with Lexis/Westlaw.
• Stay updated on Supreme Court and appellate rules; supervise project staff.

Skills

Legal research

Bluebook cite-checking

Case management

Document preparation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

ABA Accredited Paralegal Certification

Tools

Lexis

Westlaw

PACER

Case Notebook

Microsoft Office

Adobe Pro

Job description

Do you enjoy research, writing, and working on cutting-edge cases? The Washington, D.C. office of a prestigious, global law firm is seeking an experienced Appellate Paralegal to join their dynamic practice. This role provides the opportunity to join a close-knit team, work directly with partners, and support cases from beginning to end. Core responsibilities will include case management, expert-level cite-checking, conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda. This is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to make a significant contribution to the firm and their clients’ matters!

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-level paralegal support to a group of attorneys specializing in appellate and US Supreme Court cases, supporting all stages of appellate litigation in both federal and state courts.
• Prepare, format, and review legal documents including briefs, presentations, summaries, and other court submissions.
• Manage and maintain organization of filings, deadlines, and case developments, ensuring case documentation is well organized and easily accessible.
• Conduct expert-level Bluebook cite-checking and legal research, utilizing tools such as Lexis, Westlaw, PACER, summarizing findings in a clear and concise manner.
• Stay up to date on Supreme Court and Appellate Court rules and regulations.
• Oversee and delegate tasks to project assistants and temporary support staff, maintain clear lines of communication with all team members.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• International law firm with over 300 attorneys in the Washington, D.C. office, specializing in several dozen practice areas.
• Staff enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid time off, and more.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, providing remote flexibility one (1) day a week.

What We’re Looking For:

• Academic and legal experience. You currently have a bachelor's degree and a minimum of five (5) years of prior experience as a paralegal. Candidates with an ABA accredited program Paralegal Certification and or experience with appellate/complex litigation will jump out!
• Technologically advanced. You are tech advanced when it comes to multiple software applications, including the Microsoft Suite, Adobe Pro, Relativity, Case Notebook, PACER, and more.
• On Your Toes. You are ready to take on new challenges, change priorities and shift focus on a dime.
• Analytical. You can drill down large amounts of information into digestible bites, clearly expressing ideas in your writing and spotting grammatical errors in documents. Strong writing, proofreading and editing skills are essential.
• Dedicated to the Bigger Picture. You are a true team player, understanding and willing to travel and work overtime to meet critical deadlines and see projects across the finish line.

The salary listed reflects the anticipated compensation range for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, location, business considerations, and internal equity. Final offer amounts are determined at the employer’s discretion.

Essential to Hawthorne Lane’s success is our ability to attract talent from a range of backgrounds. Our network reflects the diverse community around us, and we believe in a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.