Mass Tort Paralegal (California)

Husch Blackwell; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Pre-tax FSA for medical/dependent care

Employee assistance program

Paid Time Off

Paid holidays

Retirement plan participation

Job summary

Husch Blackwell LLP seeks a Mass Tort Paralegal to support attorneys in investigation, research, and document management across multiple offices. The role focuses on asbestos, silica and other toxic tort matters, handling discovery, depositions, and trial prep with attention to detail and client service.

You will manage docketing, calendar deadlines, and collaborate with teams while mentoring Paralegal Assistants.

Qualifications

• Mandatory asbestos, silicosis, or other toxic tort litigation experience.
• Paralegal Certificate or Bachelor's degree in a law-related field; or an Associate’s degree with paralegal training.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced litigation environment and manage multiple offices.
• Excellent communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and professional integrity.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with fact investigations, witness interviews, drafting pleadings and correspondence, legal research, document preparation and production, database management, docketing/case management, and overall client service.
• Prepare materials for and assist in preparation for depositions, hearings, and trials and related proceedings, and attend same if needed.
• Pre-trial preparation and trial attendance.
• Prepare draft pleadings and discovery.
• Coordinate filing of pleadings/documents and arrange for service.
• Collect and summarize medical and/or other records.
• Assist with calendaring/docketing.
• Work with attorneys in multiple offices.
• Act as a liaison between clients, colleagues, and experts to ensure timely communication of case information and production of materials.
• Stay informed of developments in the product liability practice areas and the Paralegal industry.
• Maintain professional demeanor and attitude.
• Comply with firm policies.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Learn/develop technical proficiency in database use and management; internet/electronic research; and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to Paralegal Assistants or Information Governance and supervise same.
• Attend and participate in in-house CLEs.
• Mentor Paralegal Assistants.
• Anticipate attorney needs.
• Independently handle all key duties without supervision of another Paralegal or Senior Paralegal.
• Meet billable hour requirement of 1500 hours per year.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Detail oriented

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Professional demeanor

Client service

Mentoring

Education

Paralegal Certificate

Bachelor’s degree in law-related field

Associate’s degree + paralegal training

Tools

LexisNexis

Westlaw

Job description

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long‑term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Mass Tort Paralegal position. This position is open in our virtual office, The Link, or any of our locations.

The Mass Tort Paralegal will provide assistance to attorneys in fact investigation, legal research, document preparation and production, database management, docketing/case management, and overall client service. Position will focus on California product liability matters, including asbestos, silica and other toxic tort matters. The functions will be specific to litigation practice and may include discovery, deposition preparation, investigation, trial and mediation preparation, analysis of factual information, assistance in preparation of pleadings, motions and/or briefs, management of document production databases and case management databases and trial participation.

Essential job functions

• Provide assistance to attorneys in fact investigation, witness interviews, drafting pleadings and correspondence, legal research, document preparation and production, database management, docketing/case management, and overall client service.
• Prepare materials for and assist in preparation for depositions, hearings, and trials and related proceedings, and attend same if needed.
• Pre-trial preparation and trial attendance.
• Prepare draft pleadings and discovery.
• Coordinate filing of pleadings/documents and arrange for service.
• Collect and summarize medical and/or other records.
• Assist with calendaring/docketing.
• Work with attorneys in multiple offices.
• Act as a liaison between clients, colleagues, and experts to ensure timely communication of case information and production of materials.
• Stay informed of developments in the product liability practice areas and the Paralegal industry.
• Maintain professional demeanor and attitude.
• Comply with firm policies.
• Sustain attention to detail and quality of work.
• Learn/develop technical proficiency in database use and management; internet/electronic research; and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to Paralegal Assistants or Information Governance and supervise same.
• Attend and participate in in-house CLEs.
• Mentor Paralegal Assistants.
• Anticipate attorney needs.
• Independently handle all key duties without supervision of another Paralegal or Senior Paralegal.
• Meet billable hour requirement of 1500 hours per year.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to deliver superior service to all internal and external customers and communicate effectively.
• Ability to interact in a professional and courteous manner with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
• Ability to successfully perform position requirements with excellent organizational, time-management and prioritization skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team; ability and willingness to adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce acceptable amount of work efficiently and accurately; ability to produce quality final work product.
• Ability to exercise good judgment at all times by making sound and practical decisions; ability to assume responsibility for decisions and act decisively under deadlines.
• High level of professional integrity required; ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust.
• Ability to lead and motivate the work of others; when applicable, ability to successfully manage direct report(s), including performance evaluation, goal‑setting, employee development and problem‑solving.

POSITION‑SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Asbestos, Silicosis, or other Toxic Tort litigation experience mandatory (California specific)
• Paralegal Certificate or Bachelor’s degree in a law related field or Associate’s degree and paralegal training.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• State of California: $86,000 - $139,000
• State of Colorado: $75,000 - $119,000
• State of Illinois: $64,000 - $125,000
• State of Maryland: $73,000 - $107,000
• State Massachusetts: $85,000 - $130,000
• State of Minnesota: $75,000 - $111,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $78,000 - $114,000
• State of New York: $66,000 - $125,000
• State of Washington: $88,000 - $134,000
• Washington, DC: $94,000 - $138,000

The above salaries do not include a discretionary bonus, however bonus opportunities are non‑guaranteed, and are dependent upon individual and firm performance.

Full‑time employees receive benefits including:

• medical and dental coverage
• life insurance
• short‑term and long‑term disability insurance
• pre‑tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses
• an employee assistance program
• Paid Time Off
• paid holidays
• participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, 401K, and much more.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position. Please reach out to our HR team to request an accommodation.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.