Litigation Paralegal

Smith Freed Eberhard; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Student Loan Repayment Assistance

Hybrid Work after 90 days

Continuing Education

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance

401(k) Matching

Job summary

Smith Freed Eberhard, a civil defense law firm in Portland, seeks an experienced paralegal to support Personal and Commercial lines, focusing on catastrophic injuries and premises liability. The role covers case management, discovery, subpoenas, and trial preparation while ensuring billing guidelines are followed.

The candidate will review claims materials, draft pleadings, manage deadlines, and assist attorneys in deposition and trial preparation.

Qualifications

• Paralegal with at least two years’ experience.
• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• Familiarity with medical chronologies and/or the insurance industry is a plus.
• Experience in preparing Motions, Affidavits, Orders, Requests for Production, Requests for Admissions, Subpoena Duces Tecum.

Responsibilities

• Manage litigation case files and deadlines; track deadlines.
• Prepare notebooks, index and compare documents.
• Create and maintain medical chronologies and billing summaries.
• Assist with discovery: serve discovery requests, summarize responses, obtain documents.
• Prepare subpoenas and conduct investigation research as needed.
• Support attorneys with deposition, arbitration, and trial preparation.

Skills

Multitasking

Case management

Legal research

Written communications

Attention to detail

Job description

At Smith Freed Eberhard, we do more than just practice law – We set new standards in legal excellence. Specializing in civil defense work, our Portland office is on the lookout for an experienced Paralegal ready to dive into the dynamic realms of Personal and Commercial lines with a focus on catastrophic injuries, premises liability, automobile liability, and dram shop/liquor liability.

Our Culture

Smith Freed Eberhard offers a flexible and fun work environment. Collaboration between partners, associates, paralegals and staff is vital to serving our clients well. Our casual work environment allows you to deal with what needs to be done in a comfortable atmosphere.

Position Summary

As a paralegal for Smith Freed Eberhard, your responsibilities include case management by reviewing and analyzing claims file materials, preparing notebooks, indexing and comparing documents, and creating and maintaining medical chronologies and billing summaries. You will be responsible for all aspects of discovery, which includes preparing and serving discovery requests, summarizing discovery responses, and identifying and obtaining all documents needed to complete discovery. This could entail preparing Subpoenas Duces Tecum and conducting investigation research. You will be responsible for assisting attorneys with exhibits, documents, and file preparation for deposition, arbitration, and/or trial. You will be required to identify and understand each client-specific billing guideline and ensure all billable work is being performed within those guidelines.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize assignments, and manage multiple deadlines
• Case management of litigation files, including tracking deadlines
• Ability to move cases forward with little supervision
• Draft various pleadings such as Motions, Affidavits, Orders, Request for Production, Requests for Admissions, Subpoena Duces Tecum, etc., specific to case
• Familiarity with Oregon law, Washington experience a plus
• Review and respond to written discovery requests
• Review medical records/bills and create medical summary and medical billing
• Perform in-depth research and investigation for case development
• Assist attorneys with exhibits, documents, and file preparation for deposition, arbitration, and trial
• Identify and understand each client-specific billing guideline to ensure work is being performed within those guidelines

Requirements

The ideal candidate for this position is a paralegal with at least two years’ experience and who has demonstrated the ability to handle complex assignments, works independently, has excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills, and can handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. Familiarity with medical chronologies and/or the insurance industry is a plus, as well as experience in preparing Motions, Affidavits, Orders, Request for Production, Requests for Admissions, Subpoena Duces Tecum.

Compensation and Benefits

• Commensurate with education and experience
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Hybrid Work considered after 90 days
• Competitive billable hour requirement
• Rewarding Bonus Program
• Continuing Education
• Employer Paid Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Matching
• Voluntary FSA, HSA, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance