Paralegal

Jobtailor; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Chicago, IL seeks a seasoned paralegal with defense litigation experience to support trial preparation and e-discovery operations. You will prepare briefs, pleadings, motions, and discovery documents for attorney review, manage subpoenas, and coordinate with courts and vendors.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years of defense litigation, LexisNexis proficiency, and strong organizational skills to handle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. A Paralegal Certificate is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years in defense litigation.
• Experience with e-discovery and ESI databases.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency with LexisNexis.
• Experience tracking billable time.
• Proficiency with MS Office, Adobe, Nuance, and e-discovery tools (Ipro, Relativity, Concordance, Summation).
• Paralegal Certificate from ABA-approved institution preferred.
• E-discovery project management experience.
• Experience with commercial, medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, and/or IP litigation preferred.
• Resume and cover letter required.

Responsibilities

• Support attorneys through life cycle of complex litigation, emphasizing trial preparation and trial support.
• Prepare legal documents for attorney review and approval.
• Manage discovery preparation and coordinate discovery-related activities.
• Investigate facts and applicable law to assist case strategy and litigation preparation.
• Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, judicial decisions, legal articles, treaties, constitutions, and legal codes.
• Review discovery and prepare, issue, and track subpoenas for records and depositions.
• Prepare case information for expert witnesses.
• Abstract depositions and organize key case information.
• Prepare indexes and maintain comprehensive document and case files.
• Maintain case databases and enter case information into NetDocs.
• Manage calendar and tickler systems to ensure timely court deadlines.
• Coordinate with courts, opposing counsel, clients, experts, vendors, and other litigation professionals.
• Work with internal and external vendors during the e-discovery process.
• Prepare for hearings, depositions, and trials; organize exhibits and materials.
• Take ownership of time-sensitive assignments and ensure trial team readiness.
• Coordinate trial materials and information for attorneys and litigation teams.
• Support attorneys during preparation leading up to trial and throughout proceedings.

Skills

Defense litigation

E-discovery

Legal research

Trial preparation

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Initiative

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Paralegal Certificate

Tools

Ipro

Relativity

Concordance

Summation

NetDocs

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Nuance

LexisNexis

Job description

• Support attorneys throughout the life cycle of complex litigation, emphasizing trial preparation and trial support
• Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, motions, discovery, notices, and settlement documents, for attorney review and approval
• Manage extensive discovery preparation and coordinate discovery-related activities
• Investigate facts and applicable law to assist with case strategy and litigation preparation
• Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, judicial decisions, legal articles, treaties, constitutions, and legal codes
• Review discovery and prepare, issue, and track subpoenas for records and depositions
• Prepare case information and materials for expert witnesses
• Abstract depositions and organize key case information
• Prepare indexes and maintain comprehensive document and case files
• Maintain accurate case databases and enter case information into NetDocs
• Manage calendar and tickler systems to ensure timely compliance with court deadlines
• Communicate and coordinate with courts, opposing counsel, clients, experts, vendors, and other litigation professionals
• Work with internal and external vendors throughout the e-discovery process
• Maintain files and information relating to experts used by both parties
• Prepare cases for trial and handle all aspects of trial-related tasks
• Organize and manage trial exhibits, documents, evidence, and case materials
• Assist attorneys with preparation for hearings, depositions, and trials
• Coordinate trial materials and information for attorneys and litigation teams
• Support attorneys during preparation leading up to trial and throughout trial proceedings
• Take ownership of time-sensitive assignments and help ensure the trial team is fully prepared
• Work closely with attorneys and litigation team members in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 5 years of defense litigation experience
• Experience with e-discovery and ESI databases
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a collaborative team
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, particularly in preparation for hearings, depositions, and trials
• Strong attention to detail, initiative, and ability to learn quickly
• Proficiency in legal research, including LexisNexis
• Experience tracking and entering billable time
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe, Nuance, and e-discovery platforms such as Ipro, Relativity, Concordance, or Summation
• Preferred: Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved institution
• Preferred: E-discovery project management experience
• Preferred: Experience with commercial, medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, and/or intellectual property litigation
• Preferred: Prior experience supporting attorneys through trial
• Resume and cover letter required

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing complex litigation processes, including trial preparation, legal research, and e-discovery management. Proficient in preparing legal documents and coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with court deadlines.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Defense Litigation Experience
• E-Discovery Management
• Legal Research Proficiency
• Trial Preparation Support
• Exceptional Communication Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Legal Document Preparation
• Case Management
• Discovery Preparation
• Statutory Analysis
• Billable Time Tracking
• Attention to Detail
• Trial Exhibit Organization
• Subpoena Preparation
• LexisNexis Proficiency
• E-Discovery Project Management

Soft Skills

• Organizational Skills
• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Team Collaboration
• Initiative
• Quick Learning

Certifications & Qualifications

• Paralegal Certificate

Industry Keywords

• Litigation
• Trial Support
• E-Discovery
• Personal Injury
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
• Intellectual Property

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• Adobe
• Nuance
• Ipro
• Relativity
• Concordance
• Summation
• NetDocs