Civil Litigation Paralegal

Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Generous PTO

Paid holidays and CLE/training support

Annual firm trip (post-eligibility)

Job summary

Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC in Sarasota, FL seeks a senior paralegal to run civil litigation files from intake through trial prep. You will draft substantive pleadings, manage deadlines, and keep cases on track while operating with autonomy and professional judgment.

You’ll join a leading real estate and litigation firm that values senior paralegals who can work independently and deliver real casework. Salary reflects top Sarasota market with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of civil litigation experience
• Knowledge of Florida court procedures and e-filing
• Strong writing and organizational skills
• Proficient with MS Office and case management software (Clio/Filevine)

Responsibilities

• Support attorneys through all phases of civil litigation from intake to trial prep
• Draft and edit pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses
• Conduct legal research and prepare case summaries for attorneys
• Organize, review, and analyze discovery materials and deposits
• Coordinate depositions, mediations, and court filings
• Maintain case files, track deadlines, and communicate with clients and witnesses

Skills

Detail oriented

Time management

Strong writing

Communication skills

Education

Paralegal certification or degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Clio

Filevine

Job description

Why this role

Run civil litigation cases alongside attorneys at one of Florida's leading real estate and litigation firms. You'll own your files from intake through trial prep, draft substantive pleadings, and be the person who keeps every case on track. We pay at the top of the Sarasota market because we hire senior paralegals who can operate independently — and we give them the autonomy to do it.

Why this role

Run civil litigation cases alongside attorneys at one of Florida's leading real estate and litigation firms. You'll own your files from intake through trial prep, draft substantive pleadings, and be the person who keeps every case on track. We pay at the top of the Sarasota market because we hire senior paralegals who can operate independently — and we give them the autonomy to do it.

What You'll Do

• Support attorneys through every phase of civil litigation, from case intake to trial prep.
• Draft and edit pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and other substantive legal documents.
• Conduct legal research and prepare case summaries that attorneys can actually use.
• Organize, review, and analyze discovery materials — including depositions, exhibits, and document productions.
• Coordinate depositions, mediations, and court filings.
• Maintain case files, track court deadlines, and communicate professionally with clients, witnesses, and court personnel.

What We're Looking For

• You bring 5+ years of civil litigation experience and can run a case without being told what to do next.
• You know Florida court procedures, e-filing systems, and discovery rules cold — including the practical details that trip up less experienced paralegals.
• You're a strong writer, highly organized, and you catch deadlines before they catch you.
• You're proficient in Microsoft Office and legal case management software (Clio, Filevine, or similar).
• Associate or bachelor's degree and/or paralegal certification from an accredited program.

Bonus points for:

• real estate or commercial litigation experience, trial experience (first-chair paralegal on a trial team), e-discovery platform experience (Relativity, Everlaw), or bilingual English/Spanish.

What We Offer

• $30–$36/hour — top of Sarasota market
• Health insurance, retirement plan, and generous PTO
• Paid holidays and CLE/training support
• Annual all-expenses-paid firm trip (post-eligibility)
• A collaborative, multi-office Florida firm with a genuine commitment to work-life balance
• Real casework at a firm that treats paralegals as professionals — not document processors