Paralegal – Litigation

Chicago Housing Authority; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Hybrid work schedule

Health coverage

Job summary

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) seeks an experienced Paralegal to support its Litigation Team under the Office of the General Counsel. You will handle filings in state and federal courts, conduct research, assist with discovery, and prepare trial materials while coordinating with clients and stakeholders.

Qualified candidates have 3+ years in significant litigation work, or 4 years transfer-able experience, and may have an ABA-certified program.

Qualifications

• A preferred ABA-certified paralegal program with a minimum of 3 years in a significant litigation paralegal role.
• Alternatively, college education or certified courses with at least 4 years of transferrable litigation work experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research using electronic databases and prepare analyses.
• Assist in intake/setup of case files, service of process, and drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery.
• Prepare exhibits, trial binders, hearing packets and reports for attorney review.
• Manage court calendars, docketing protocols, and data collection for status memos.
• Support attorneys and coordinate with internal stakeholders and third-parties.

Skills

Legal research

Pleadings drafting

Discovery coordination

Case management

Communication

Education

ABA-certified paralegal program

College education or certs in paralegal field

Tools

E-discovery software

Docketing software

Job description

The Paralegal will help the Chicago Housing Authority’s (“CHA”) Office of the General Counsel protect CHA’s legal interests. Under general supervision of attorneys, the Paralegal will perform responsible legal-related paralegal and administrative functions for our Litigation Team and Department, including, but not limited to working on general litigation matters in state & federal courts and administrative agencies (e.g., torts, commercial litigation, fair housing and employment litigation, writs, and appeals), evictions cases, housing choice voucher administrative hearings, code violation cases, and other matters, as needed to meet CHA’s needs. The Paralegal will conduct internal and external legal research, filings in state & federal courts and administrative agencies, assist in drafting documents, e.g., pleadings, motions, discovery, trial and hearing-related material, prepare reports and status updates as needed, communicate with internal stakeholders and third-parties to meet team needs and coordinate provision of services, and assist with docketing and matter management/court/legal software related needs.

DESCRIPTION

A non-comprehensive summary of representative tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Conducting legal and other research, including by using electronic databases and websites, and providing analysis as needed.
• Assisting in intake and set-up of pre-litigation and litigated case files, accepting service of process, conducting investigations, filings (in state & federal court and administrative agencies) and provision of courtesy copies of documents to the Court, and assist in drafting pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery, affidavits/declarations, prove-up and trial packets, notices for evictions and other cases, tender-related correspondence for code violation and other matters, subpoenas, conduct written and oral communications with client representatives and third-parties, prepare document abstracts/summaries as needed, and other related work-product to advance CHA’s legal interests.
• Preparing exhibits, trial binders, hearing packets, training materials, gathering documents, performing review, assisting in analysis of documents for potential invocation of privilege and for proper service of eviction related notices, and helping interview witnesses and coordinating scheduling of their testimony.
• Managing court calendars, related software, and docketing-protocols. Helping attorneys manage court calendars for a high volume of matters. Track case intake and progress, collect and analyze data, prepare reports and status memos.
• Perform related duties and support CHA’s attorneys to meet CHA’s needs and protect its interests.

QUALIFICATIONS

A preferred graduate of ABA-certified program with a minimum of 3 years of experience in a significant litigation paralegal role, including conducting filings, drafting pleadings and helping lead discovery, using electronic databases, and working cooperatively with a diverse group of individuals in a fast-paced environment, or, a combination of college education/certified courses, and a minimum of 4 years transferrable litigation work experience. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience in one or more of the substantive areas relevant to CHA’s practice needs, including, as it relates to legal case file management, docketing procedures, legal research practices, courtroom procedures, and legal terminology. E-discovery experience is a plus.

Must be detailed oriented, have strong organizational, written and oral communication skills, research skills, office technology related skills, good judgment, an ability to work well with others, and a strong work ethic. Candidate must be a team player, readily able to adapt to and provide support in a dynamic environment. This position will report to the main office located at 60 E. Van Buren St., Chicago, Mon – Fri between the hours of 8:30 am to 5 pm. Eligibility for limited telework opportunity upon successful completion of probationary period.

BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE

• Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package
• Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO) Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Parking Transit
• Prepaid Legal Services
• Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
• Identity Theft Protection
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
• Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
• Hybrid work schedule (position specific) This position may be eligible for remote work following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Grade: S8

FLSA: Exempt

Union: None