Senior Docket Specialist

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is seeking a Senior Docket Specialist to support its litigation and bankruptcy teams. The role requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing demands.

The ideal candidate will calendar deadlines, interpret federal/state rules, mentor junior staff, and lead process-improvement initiatives while delivering accurate docket information to attorneys and Case Teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of docketing experience with a rules-based calendaring system.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, appellate, and bankruptcy rules.
• Experience with electronic filings in Illinois state and federal courts (Chicago Office).
• Experience mentoring or training team members.
• Experience participating in process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to prioritize high-volume, high-risk matters with accuracy.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Calendar deadlines into the Firm’s docketing system and apply rules-based triggers.
• Serve as subject matter expert on federal, state, appellate, and bankruptcy court rules and requirements.
• Identify calendaring risks and proactively recommend corrective action.
• Use internal and external resources to verify case information.
• Research and resolve complex docketing questions and guide staff and attorneys.
• Maintain understanding of bankruptcy, litigation, and appellate processes and rules.
• Conduct research as needed.
• Assist in training new docket staff on policies and systems.
• Lead special projects as needed.
• Generate reports and provide case information from the docket system to Case Teams.
• Provide court processes and procedural information to attorneys and staff.
• Serve as a trusted resource on calendaring requirements.
• Assist with other docket-related projects to support cross-office work.
• Recommend workflow improvements to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

Skills

Docketing experience

Calendaring rules

Rule interpretation

Mentoring

Process improvement

Attention to detail

Prioritization

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

CompuLaw

CourtAlert

eDockets

Job description

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with over 500 attorneys across the United States. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Chicago, we provide sophisticated legal counsel to clients in highly regulated industries, including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and professional services. We also offer strategic business and transactional advice to a wide range of for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including government agencies and educational institutions. Learn more at hinshawlaw.com.

Position Summary

The Senior Docket Specialist is responsible for supporting the litigation and bankruptcy practice groups within the Firm. The candidate must be able to work well under pressure and possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills. The candidate must also have the ability to respond to changing demands, be self-motivated, and work both independently as well as part of a team.

Responsibilities:

• Calendar deadlines into the Firm’s electronic docketing system and apply rules-based trigger technology where appropriate.
• Serve as subject matter expert on federal, state, appellate, and bankruptcy court rules and procedural requirements.
• Identify potential calendaring risks and proactively recommend corrective action.
• Use internal and external resources to ascertain correct case information.
• Research and resolve complex docketing questions and provide guidance to attorneys, legal support staff, and other docketing specialists.
• Maintain a full understanding of bankruptcy, litigation, and appellate processes and rules.
• Conduct research as needed.
• Assist in training new docket staff on department policies, procedures, and software systems.
• Lead special projects as needed.
• Generate reports and provide case information from the courts or the firm’s electronic docket system to Case Teams.
• Provide court processes and procedural information to attorneys and legal support.
• Serve as a trusted resource to attorneys and legal staff regarding complex procedural issues and calendaring requirements.
• Assist with other docket-related projects/assignments to facilitate cross-office support.
• Recommend improvements to departmental procedures and workflows to increase efficiency and reduce risk.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of prior docketing experience with a rules-based calendaring system (CompuLaw, CourtAlert, eDockets).
• Advanced working knowledge of federal, state, appellate, and bankruptcy rules, with the ability to review and interpret said rules.
• Experience with electronic filings in both Illinois state court and federal courts (Chicago Office only).
• Advanced working knowledge of federal and state court processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated expertise interpreting complex federal, state, appellate, and bankruptcy procedural rules.
• Proven ability to independently resolve complex calendaring and procedural issues.
• Experience mentoring or training team members.
• Experience participating in process improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize high-volume, high-risk matters while maintaining exceptional accuracy.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Why Join Hinshaw?

At Hinshaw, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture. We offer competitive compensation, a flexible benefits program, and a generous 401(k) plan. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Joining our team means being part of a firm that values innovation and professional growth in its technology operations, all while maintaining a supportive environment that encourages work-life balance and career development.

Equal Opportunity Statement We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

As an EEO/AA employer, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.

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