Litigation Paralegal

Blank Rome LLP; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Blank Rome LLP seeks an independent, personable and detailed Paralegal to support attorneys on various general litigation matters. Hybrid work; onsite 3 days/wk within commuting distance of a Blank Rome office. Reports to the Director of Paralegal Services.

The role involves discovery, document review/production, e‑discovery, trial support, and coordinating depositions, with emphasis on attention to detail and professional communication.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of paralegal experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, paralegal certification, or equivalent work experience required.
• Experience in a legal environment or professional services required.
• Experience with Commercial Litigation or Labor & Employment law preferred.
• Experience with electronic discovery in particular, Relativity.
• Experience with document review and document production experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to develop positive working relationships (in-person and virtually).
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex or diverse information.

Responsibilities

• Assist with document retrieval, review, organization, indexing, and production in connection with discovery requests, subpoenas, and regulatory inquiries.
• Manage and maintain case files, including electronic and physical documents relevant to legal proceedings, ensuring proper organization and accessibility.
• Cite check, proofread, and edit legal documents, including briefs, motions, memoranda, and correspondence for accuracy, proper citation format, and consistency.
• Conduct comprehensive legal and factual research using Westlaw, Lexis, PACER, public records databases, and other electronic research tools.
• Prepare written summaries, memoranda, and reports synthesizing research results for attorney review and case strategy development.
• Prepare and draft legal documents, including discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, motions, pleadings, and correspondence for attorney review and approval.
• Prepare, file, and serve court documents in federal and state courts, including e-filings through CM/ECF, state court e-filing systems, and coordinate service of process.
• Assist with preparation of written discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission, and coordinate responses to same.
• Prepare and maintain chronologies, cast of characters, and key document summaries to support case analysis and strategy.
• Review and code documents for appropriate classification, including attorney-client privilege, work product protection, confidentiality designations, and responsiveness to discovery requests.
• Coordinate and schedule depositions, hearings, mediations, and other litigation-related events, including arranging court reporters, videographers, and conference facilities.
• Prepare and organize deposition materials, including exhibit binders, deposition outlines, and witness summaries.
• Assist with e‑discovery processes, including data preservation, collection, processing, and review using Relativity and other e‑discovery platforms.
• Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and vendors regarding case‑related matters under attorney supervision.
• Provide comprehensive trial support, including preparation of trial binders, exhibit lists, witness files, demonstrative exhibits, and on‑site assistance during trial proceedings.
• Assist in due diligence review, including document collection, analysis, and preparation of summary reports.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information and ensure compliance with ethical obligations and firm policies regarding data security.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
• Work additional hours as needed to fulfill job requirements.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Legal environment experience

Relativity / e-discovery

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Westlaw / Lexis

Job description

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and 800 attorneys who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. Our commitment to our core values and dedication to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment, allows the firm to attract and retain the brightest in the industry.

Job Overview

Blank Rome is seeking an independent, personable and detailed Paralegal to support the attorneys on a variety of general litigation matters. Under the direction and supervision of attorneys, Paralegals are expected to provide advanced, complex assistance in support of client case teams.

This role is a hybrid working arrangement. Potential candidates must live within commuting distance of a Blank Rome office to be onsite 3 days per week. In this role, you will report to the Director of Paralegal Services.

Essential Functions

• Assist with document retrieval, review, organization, indexing, and production in connection with discovery requests, subpoenas, and regulatory inquiries.
• Manage and maintain case files, including electronic and physical documents relevant to legal proceedings, ensuring proper organization and accessibility.
• Cite check, proofread, and edit legal documents, including briefs, motions, memoranda, and correspondence for accuracy, proper citation format, and consistency.
• Conduct comprehensive legal and factual research using Westlaw, Lexis, PACER, public records databases, and other electronic research tools.
• Prepare written summaries, memoranda, and reports synthesizing research results for attorney review and case strategy development.
• Prepare and draft legal documents, including discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, motions, pleadings, and correspondence for attorney review and approval.
• Prepare, file, and serve court documents in federal and state courts, including e-filings through CM/ECF, state court e-filing systems, and coordinate service of process.
• Assist with preparation of written discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission, and coordinate responses to same.
• Prepare and maintain chronologies, cast of characters, and key document summaries to support case analysis and strategy.
• Review and code documents for appropriate classification, including attorney-client privilege, work product protection, confidentiality designations, and responsiveness to discovery requests.
• Coordinate and schedule depositions, hearings, mediations, and other litigation-related events, including arranging court reporters, videographers, and conference facilities.
• Prepare and organize deposition materials, including exhibit binders, deposition outlines, and witness summaries.
• Assist with e‑discovery processes, including data preservation, collection, processing, and review using Relativity and other e‑discovery platforms.
• Communicate with clients, opposing counsel, court personnel, and vendors regarding case‑related matters under attorney supervision.
• Provide comprehensive trial support, including preparation of trial binders, exhibit lists, witness files, demonstrative exhibits, and on‑site assistance during trial proceedings.
• Assist in due diligence review, including document collection, analysis, and preparation of summary reports.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information and ensure compliance with ethical obligations and firm policies regarding data security.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
• Work additional hours as needed to fulfill job requirements.

The above essential functions represent the general nature and level of responsibilities for this position and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. The firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion.

Skills/Qualifications

• 3+ years of paralegal experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, paralegal certification, or equivalent work experience required.
• Experience in a legal environment or professional services required.
• Experience with Commercial Litigation or Labor & Employment law preferred.
• Experience with electronic discovery in particular, Relativity.
• Experience with document review and document production experience preferred.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to develop positive working relationships (in-person and virtually).
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Ability to collect and research data.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with effective organizational skills.
• Proven problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Unquestioned integrity and professionalism.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Proficient in web-based conference call/web-sharing applications.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $70,000 - $100,000. Actual salaries will depend on a candidate's geographic location, relevant experience, and skillset. The salary range listed is just one component of Blank Rome’s total compensation package for employees. Other monetary rewards include annual discretionary bonuses based on performance and profit‑sharing contributions based on eligibility and firm profitability.

In addition, Blank Rome provides a comprehensive suite of benefits to promote health and financial security, including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life, accident, and disability insurance plans. The firm also provides the opportunity to participate in 401(k) retirement benefits, commuter benefits, and well‑being programs.

EEO Statement

Blank Rome is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, marital or family status, or any other status protected by law.

Our core values of respect for the individual, the community, and the law are clearly demonstrated in our ability to recruit and develop a diverse group of exceptionally talented attorneys and professional staff who enable us to best serve our clients and our communities.