Senior Litigation Paralegal

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability (short-term & long-term)

401(k)

Job summary

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP in Chicago seeks an experienced Litigation Paralegal with significant trial preparation and in-court experience to join the team. The role supports attorneys across all litigation phases, from pre-complaint through trial and appeal, emphasizing discovery management and meticulous case organization.

The ideal candidate brings strong organizational discipline, hands-on trial support, and a track record in complex matters, with proficiency in NetDocuments, MS

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-7 years of litigation experience.
• Significant trial preparation and in-court trial support experience.
• Experience supporting complex commercial, product liability, or multi-party litigation preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in NetDocuments or comparable document management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook; ability to adapt to new software platforms.
• Experience with eDiscovery platforms (e.g., Relativity or similar) preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and superior attention to detail.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of motivation, accountability, and responsiveness.
• Flexible and willing to work hours needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Responsibilities

• Strategically organize and maintain comprehensive electronic and physical case files in NetDocuments, ensuring accuracy, version control, and trial-readiness throughout all phases of litigation.
• Maintain key case chronologies, issue trackers, exhibit databases, and document indexes to support efficient attorney access and case strategy development.
• Coordinate with attorneys, experts, vendors, and local counsel to ensure seamless case execution.
• Manage complex discovery processes, including document collection, review coordination, and production logistics (hard copy, native files, and ESI).
• Assist with the collection of materials from clients, opposing parties, and third parties, including electronic data and physical evidence.
• Oversee document production workflows and track deadlines and compliance obligations.
• Manage privilege logs and confidentiality designations.
• Conduct substantive legal and factual research.
• Analyze documents and materials to support case development.
• Draft routine filings (e.g., attorney appearances, notices, motions).
• Research court rules and procedural requirements for relevant federal and state court venues.
• Coordinate preparation, filing, and service of pleadings and briefs.
• Cite-check briefs and ensure proper format, content, and accuracy using Westlaw, Bloomberg, and Bluebook standards.
• Compile appendices and exhibits.
• Prepare and coordinate deposition materials, including exhibits, witness files, and summaries.
• Manage deposition and trial transcripts.
• Prepare pretrial documents, trial notebooks, witness binders, and exhibit lists.
• Compile, organize, and track trial exhibits.
• Manage trial preparation logistics, including coordination with court personnel and vendors.
• Provide hands-on trial and hearing support, including courtroom exhibit management and trial presentation coordination.

Skills

Litigation experience

Trial preparation

In-court support

NetDocuments

Relativity/eDiscovery

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate

Tools

NetDocuments

Westlaw

Bloomberg

Bluebook

Job description

Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP (RSHC) is a diverse, service-oriented, and technologically sophisticated firm that is committed to providing legal and client service at the highest levels. We have a national litigation and transactional practice with more than 100 lawyers in offices located in Chicago, San Francisco, Irvine, Ann Arbor, and New York. Founded March 1, 2016, our partnership features leaders in many fields of litigation and transactions including class actions, white collar, product liability, real estate, intellectual property, mergers & acquisitions, and general litigation.

Job Summary:

RSHC is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal with significant trial preparation and in-court experience to join our Chicago office. This position is ideal for a highly skilled professional who thrives in a fast-paced litigation environment and operates as an integral member of the case team.

The Litigation Paralegal will work closely with attorneys across all phases of litigation, from pre-complaint investigation through trial and appeal. The ideal candidate brings strong discovery management capabilities, exceptional organizational discipline, and hands-on trial support experience in complex matters.

We hold our firm out as practicing at the top of the profession. This means that the quality of this employee's work product must be excellent in all respects, reflecting the same level of precision and care exhibited by our partners, in which employees are putting the needs of the client first, working hard, collaboratively, and efficiently. Each of us is expected to perform at the top of our professions and deliver services to our clients which fulfill our identity as "a law firm built for clients". Every employee is expected be committed to excellence, team oriented, collegial, and collaborative. These are essential qualities for this position. Employees should also demonstrate a proven track record of expertise with respect to the attached duties and skills

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Case Operations & File Management

• Strategically organize and maintain comprehensive electronic and physical case files in NetDocuments, ensuring accuracy, version control, and trial-readiness throughout all phases of litigation.
• Maintain key case chronologies, issue trackers, exhibit databases, and document indexes to support efficient attorney access and case strategy development.
• Coordinate with attorneys, experts, vendors, and local counsel to ensure seamless case execution.

Discovery & Document Management

• Manage complex discovery processes, including document collection, review coordination, and production logistics (hard copy, native files, and ESI).
• Assist with the collection of materials from clients, opposing parties, and third parties, including electronic data and physical evidence.
• Oversee document production workflows and track deadlines and compliance obligations.
• Manage privilege logs and confidentiality designations.

Substantive Litigation Support

• Conduct substantive legal and factual research.
• Analyze documents and materials to support case development.
• Draft routine filings (e.g., attorney appearances, notices, motions).
• Research court rules and procedural requirements for relevant federal and state court venues.
• Coordinate preparation, filing, and service of pleadings and briefs.
• Cite-check briefs and ensure proper format, content, and accuracy using Westlaw, Bloomberg, and Bluebook standards.
• Compile appendices and exhibits.

Deposition & Trial Support

• Prepare and coordinate deposition materials, including exhibits, witness files, and summaries.
• Manage deposition and trial transcripts.
• Prepare pretrial documents, trial notebooks, witness binders, and exhibit lists.
• Compile, organize, and track trial exhibits.
• Manage trial preparation logistics, including coordination with court personnel and vendors.
• Provide hands-on trial and hearing support, including courtroom exhibit management and trial presentation coordination.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of 5-7 years of litigation experience.
• Significant trial preparation and in-court trial support experience.
• Experience supporting complex commercial, product liability, or multi-party litigation preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in NetDocuments or comparable document management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook; ability to adapt to new software platforms.
• Experience with eDiscovery platforms (e.g., Relativity or similar) preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and superior attention to detail.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of motivation, accountability, and responsiveness.
• Flexible and willing to work hours needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, paralegal certificate, or relevant work experience
• At least 5 years related experience required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Salary Range:

$95,000-$115,000

*Salary will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and skillset.

The position is full-time non-exempt and requires standard employment screens, including a background check of educational, employment, and criminal histories. RSHC offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- term and long-term disability, and 401(k).

RSHC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. RSHC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.