Paralegal

Hall Booth Smith, P.C; Tifton (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Hall Booth Smith, P.C. is seeking a paralegal to support attorneys in litigation case preparation, management, and execution. You will obtain, review, analyze, and summarize legal documents, track document requests, and move cases forward through proactive file management.

You will participate in discovery, coordinate depositions and meetings, draft routine legal documents, and maintain expert databases. A strong emphasis on accuracy, confidentiality, and timely billable time is required.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys, staff and clients.
• Strong organization and attention to detail to support litigation case work.
• Demonstrated integrity in confidential matters.
• Accurate typing at 45 wpm and proficient with standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Obtain, review, analyze, and summarize legal documentation pertaining to cases.
• Track requests for documents and follow up on receipt progress.
• Move cases forward by reviewing files and proactive management.
• Document files and update clients on case status.
• Participate in discovery and file or trial preparation as required.
• Schedule depositions and meetings with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court reporters, and others.
• Make travel arrangements and provide directions for attorneys.
• File documents with courts and conduct legal research on issues and precedents.
• Draft legal documents such as answers, jury demands, interrogatories, and responses.
• Maintain an expert database and locate and evaluate experts.
• Identify and interview potential experts and share expert packages for review.
• Perform clerical duties to support work product and organize case files.
• Enter billable time daily and meet minimum billing requirements.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Typing 45 wpm

Confidentiality and integrity

Education

Associate's degree or certified paralegal education

Job description

Purpose of the Job:

Responsible for supporting attorneys in the various aspects of litigation related to case preparation, management, and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Obtain, review, analyze, and summarize legal documentation pertaining to cases.
• Track requests for documents and regularly follow up on progress of receipt.
• Regularly review files and proactively work to move cases forward.
• Document files and update clients when necessary regarding the status of cases.
• Participate in all aspects of discovery and file or trial preparation as required by supervisor.
• Schedule depositions and other meetings with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court reporters, and others.
• Make travel arrangements and provide directions and other necessary information to attorneys.
• File documents with the various courts.
• Perform research pertaining to legal issues and precedents related to particular cases.
• May draft legal documents such as answers, jury demands, interrogatories, and responses.
• Maintain an expert database and research opposing counsel's experts.
• Identify, locate, interview, and evaluate potential experts and send expert packages to parties for review.
• Perform clerical duties such as typing and filing to the extent required to produce work product or assure proper organization of case files.
• Ensure all functions are performed in exact accordance with applicable client guidelines.
• Enter billable time into the computer on a daily basis.
• Meet a minimum billing requirement of 140 hours per month and 1,680 hours per year. This requirement is not reduced by paid or unpaid time off, mandatory training, or performance of non-billable functions.
• Perform non-billable functions, including but not limited to participating on strategic committees, assisting in seminar development, assisting with production of presentations, and mentoring and training new employees.
• Remain flexible and open to requests for support or assistance outside the scope of this job description and perform other duties as directed by the Management team.

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Associate's degree or certified paralegal education preferred, or an equivalent level of knowledge of legal principles and practices.

Experience

• Knowledge of legal principles and practices sufficient to provide support for attorney team members in case management and information gathering.
• Knowledge of the various courts, their rules, and filing requirements.

Skills

• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys, staff, and clients and to provide information with ordinary courtesy, diplomacy, and tact.
• Demonstrated organizational, prioritization, and attention to detail skills to allow for timely, effective, and accurate performance of job duties.
• Ability to demonstrate impeccable integrity in confidential matters.
• Accurate typing ability of 45 wpm.
• Comprehensive computer and office equipment experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Work requires sitting, bending, stooping, computer keyboarding, continuous use of the hands, telephone contact, and reading.
• Work may require lifting 25 to 50 pounds or more.
• Work may require traveling to offsite locations for the collection of records and information or filing of documents with courts; therefore, work may require driving.

Performance Measures:

Goals

• Timely and accurate support of attorneys in litigation case preparation, management, and execution.
• Accurate and timely handling of discovery, document tracking, court filings, and case status updates.
• Daily entry of billable time.
• Achievement of the minimum billing requirement of 140 hours per month and 1,680 hours per year.
• Performance of work in exact accordance with applicable client guidelines.

Competencies

• Legal research and analytical ability.
• Organization and attention to detail.
• Client service and communication.
• Confidentiality and integrity.
• Initiative, flexibility, and responsiveness.

Working Conditions:

• Work may require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position and to meet financial goal requirements.
• Professional office environment with frequent interaction with attorneys, staff, clients, experts, courts, and outside parties.
• Work may include offsite travel for records collection, information gathering, and court filings.