Senior IP Litigation Paralegal Team Manager

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bachelor’s degree required

Paralegal certification preferred

Job summary

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. in the DC area seeks a Manager, IP Litigation Paralegal Team to oversee the Trial & Appellate Group (TAG) paralegal operations in a hybrid role with 3 days in the office preferred. Travel to trial locations may be required based on schedules.

You will lead staffing, workflow, training, and performance management for TAG paralegals, ensuring high-quality support across all litigation matters and close collaboration with attorneys and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; paralegal certification or advanced legal training preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of IP litigation paralegal experience.
• Advance knowledge of litigation procedures, discovery rules, trial preparation, and court filing systems.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex workflows, and drive operational excellence.
• Experience with litigation software (Relativity, CaseMap, Concordance, TrialDirector, PACER, IPRO, Case Notebook, IPPro, FileSite, etc.).
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills required. Demonstrated knowledge of meeting platforms such as MS Teams, Zoom and Webex.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing paralegal support for all phases of litigation under the direction of the Practice Group Leader (PGL) and TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, including discovery, motion practice, trial preparation, document review, court filings, exhibit preparation, deposition summaries, case notebooks, pleadings, cite checking, litigation document review, and other litigation support services.
• Ensuring consistent quality, accuracy, timeliness, and client service excellence in all paralegal work; applying quality management techniques and implementing best practices to meet or exceed attorney and client expectations.
• Monitoring and maintaining case deadlines, docketing requirements, court rules, and procedural compliance for U.S. and foreign litigation matters; providing regular case status updates to TAG attorneys.
• Developing and implementing strategies for paralegal workflow, case assignment, staffing, resource allocation, and workload balancing to maximize efficiency, productivity, and client service.
• Serving as the primary liaison between paralegals and attorneys; facilitating communication, addressing staffing needs, resolving workflow challenges, and acting as the escalation point for complex litigation support issues.
• Collaborating with partners and TAG leadership to forecast staffing needs for new and active matters and ensuring appropriate paralegal support across the practice.
• Managing TAG Paralegals under the direction of the Practice Group Leader and TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, including recruiting, onboarding, retaining, supervising, managing workflows, overseeing hybrid and remote work arrangements, conducting performance management activities, coaching, counseling, administering discipline, supporting career development and succession planning, and seeking guidance from Human Resources as appropriate.
• Fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment that promotes engagement, accountability, professional growth, teamwork, and high morale among TAG Paralegals.
• Designing, implementing, and delivering training for Paralegals, strengthening departmental capabilities and supporting long-term career advancement and leadership development.
• Conducting regular meetings with TAG leadership and attorneys to assess staffing needs, soliciting feedback on paralegal performance, and aligning resources with client and practice demands.
• Conducting regular meetings with TAG Paralegals to communicate workflow expectations, department objectives, performance metrics, best practices, industry trends, and professional development opportunities.
• Monitoring individual and departmental productivity, utilization, billable and non-billable hours, and other key performance indicators; analyzing trends, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing data-driven solutions to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Completing performance evaluations in a thoughtful, fair, and timely manner; establishing development plans, monitoring progress toward goals, and addressing performance concerns in consultation with the Practice Group Leader (PGL), TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, and Human Resources as needed.
• Assisting with the recruitment and selection of TAG Paralegals, including reviewing resumes, screening candidates, coordinating interviews, and providing hiring recommendations in partnership with the PGL, TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, and Human Resources.
• Reviewing and approving timecards, time entries, leave requests, expense reports, vendor invoices, and other administrative items for TAG Paralegals, ensuring compliance with firm policies and procedures.
• Assisting in the development and management of departmental budgets and resource planning activities.
• Liaising with the Electronic Discovery & Litigation Practice Technology Manager regarding litigation support services, technology platforms, system enhancements, maintenance, and the evaluation and implementation of litigation support solutions.
• Staying current on litigation support technologies, courtroom presentation tools, industry best practices, and emerging trends to ensure the delivery of innovative and effective litigation support services.
• Managing relationships with outside business partners (vendors), contractors, court reporters, trial consultants, and equipment providers; maintaining preferred vendor resources and overseeing the delivery of contracted services.
• Defining, developing, and managing customized support solutions for specialized case and project needs.
• Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the firm's litigation practice, strategic objectives, and client service standards to align paralegal operations with firm priorities.
• Maintaining a 600-hour annual billable goal as a working supervisor.
• Demonstrating professionalism, collaboration, and respect in all interactions.
• Participating in or leading special projects and performing other duties as assigned.

Skills

IP lit paralegal exp

Leadership

MS Office

Relativity

CaseMap

Concordance

TrialDirector

PACER

IPRO

Case Notebook

FileSite

Meeting platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree

Paralegal certification

Tools

Relativity

CaseMap

Concordance

TrialDirector

PACER

IPRO

Eclipse

FileSite

Job description

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. in the DC area seeks a Manager, IP Litigation Paralegal Team to oversee the Trial & Appellate Group (TAG) paralegal operations in a hybrid role with 3 days in the office preferred. Travel to trial locations may be required based on schedules.

You will lead staffing, workflow, training, and performance management for TAG paralegals, ensuring high-quality support across all litigation matters and close collaboration with attorneys and leadership.