Senior Paralegal - Litigation

Kirkland-; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirkland & Ellis in Austin, TX seeks an experienced Litigation Paralegal to support case and discovery management, prepare court filings, and conduct substantive research.

The role involves coordinating hearings, leveraging litigation technology, and collaborating with attorneys and support teams to advance complex matters.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of litigation paralegal experience, supporting complex matters, discovery, and trial prep.

Responsibilities

• Drive case and discovery management: coordinate collection, organization, review, and production of documents; maintain chain of custody; support complex discovery efforts.
• Own court filings and legal documents: prepare and file briefs; compile exhibits; coordinate service and local counsel; conduct cite checking.
• Conduct substantive research: analyze case materials; research court rules, venue requirements, and precedent.
• Support hearings and trials: coordinate pretrial prep; organize exhibits; manage transcripts; provide hands-on support.
• Leverage litigation technology: use litigation support tools to organize case information and manage document review workflows; coordinate discovery materials.
• Collaborate across case teams: work with attorneys, litigation support, clients, experts, and others to keep matters progressing.
• Lead based on experience: senior paralegals may supervise junior staff and prioritize deadlines across matters.

Skills

Litigation paralegal experience

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication

Deadline prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Paralegal certification preferred

Tools

Relativity

TextMap

Westlaw

PacerPro

E-filing systems

Job description

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

• Drive case and discovery management: Coordinate the collection, organization, review, and production of documents and electronic data, maintain chain of custody, and support complex discovery efforts.
• Own court filings and legal documents: Help prepare and file briefs and routine legal documents, compile exhibits and appendices, coordinate service and local counsel, and conduct legal and factual cite checking.
• Conduct substantive research: Analyze case materials and research applicable court rules and procedures, venue‑specific requirements, precedent, prior testimony, and other case‑related information.
• Support hearings and trials: Coordinate pretrial preparation, organize and track exhibits, manage transcripts, and provide hands‑on support through hearings and trial.
• Leverage litigation technology: Use litigation support tools to organize case information, manage document review workflows, support electronic filings, and coordinate discovery materials.
• Collaborate across case teams: Work closely with attorneys, litigation support teams, clients, experts, consultants, local counsel, court personnel, and other external parties to keep matters progressing efficiently.
• Lead based on experience: More senior paralegals may supervise junior paralegals and litigation teams, coordinate workflows, manage databases, and help prioritize competing deadlines across multiple matters.

What You’ll Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred; paralegal certification is also preferred. Candidates working in California must satisfy applicable California paralegal requirements.
• Experience: 5–10+ years of litigation paralegal experience, with demonstrated experience supporting complex matters, discovery, and trial preparation.
• Litigation expertise: Strong experience organizing significant volumes of case information, managing filings and discovery workflows, and preparing matters for hearings and trial.
• Technology proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Relativity and other document management systems, along with experience using additional litigation tools such as TextMap, Westlaw, electronic court filing systems, and PacerPro.
• Organization and judgment: Excellent analytical and organizational skills, strong attention to detail, initiative, and the ability to prioritize multiple matters and deadlines.
• Communication and collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build productive relationships and contribute effectively within collaborative case teams.
• Flexibility: Ability to accommodate overtime and travel based on case and trial needs.

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.