Paralegal Manager jobs in Somerset, NJ

Description

SUMMARY:  Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP seeks a dynamic, experienced candidate for its Northern New Jersey office. This position is a non-exempt, hourly position reporting to the local Office Head. The Paralegal will work alongside Attorneys to deliver high-quality legal services and perform administrative/clerical tasks including entering billable time, coordinating Attorney calendars, scheduling appointments, and providing administrative support for assigned Attorneys.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Administrative Work 

1. Operates standard office equipment, including a personal computer, copiers and scanners. 
2. Prepares error-free correspondence, memoranda and other legal documents from written and oral drafts; drafts correspondence and other documents required by or related to the litigation process, other client matters, or any other attorney-requested item; understands specialty areas of practice (Employment Litigation) and can attach appropriate enclosures for specialty area without the need for supervision. 
3. Reviews completed documents thoroughly to check for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and formatting. 
4. Maintains client sharepoint site and ensures compliance with client’s internal procedures.  
5. Maintains exceptional public relations with clients, potential clients, and attorneys and staff from other firm offices; observes confidentiality of attorney-client relationship. 
6. Inputs time and billing purposes on a daily basis.  
7. Assists attorneys in any other work-related ways that allows attorneys to concentrate on client matters and client development, including anticipating those needs. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Paralegal Work 

1. Organize documents and coordinate document productions. 

Conduct the coding, redaction, indexing and production/service of documents. Set up and maintain files which are organized chronologically, numerically and/or by subject matter. Work with Litigation Support Specialist on electronic productions. Under the guidance of an attorney, categorize documents by subject matter, and prepare a chronology of facts. 

1. Conduct various document searches and factual research. 

Create and maintain internal case databases, run searches on internal and external document databases and systems, cull relevant information from a variety of resources such as newspapers, magazines, legal subscription services, libraries, case documents and trade associations. 

1. Prepare witness and matter materials for case preparation. 

Reach out to and schedule witness interviews with attorneys handling the case. Organize interview memos, digests and other relevant documents for attorney review and case preparation. 

1. Prepare materials for depositions. 

Draft Deposition Notices. Gather and prepare exhibits to be used at depositions and digest transcripts to summarize highlights of a proceeding. 

1. Prepare Discovery Pleadings, Requests & Responses. 

Draft all discovery documents including Initial Disclosures, Interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents, Requests for Admissions and responses to the same. 

1. Prepare Pleadings and Court filings. 

Work with attorneys in the preparation and filing of all court documents. Draft Answers, Removal papers, Confidentiality Agreements/Orders, Declarations, Stipulations, Corporate Disclosures and other such pleadings. Prepare necessary exhibits and supportive documents to pleading documents. Take ownership over litigation filing process, including knowledge of and compliance with electronic and other filing requirements, maintenance of electronic litigation files, and keeping client contact up to date with file copies.  

1. Act as liaison among various internal departments, client departments and outside agencies. 

Oversee the progress of documents through litigation support departments, order transcripts from reporting services and fulfill requests from outside counsel, in-house staff and others.  

1. Request/collect documents for case defense and in preparation of discovery. 

Request documents from client, state agencies such as EEOC, DHRC and FEHA. Prepare medical authorizations and subpoenas to request medical records.  

1. Maintenance of and ownership over litigation dockets. 

Have primary responsibility over maintenance of dockets for litigation and other matters for assigned attorneys, including developing and using procedures to ensure that attorneys are aware of and satisfy all filing and other deadlines. Review dockets and make sure firm and client document managing systems are up to date. Make sure case deadlines and important events are calendared.  

1. Prepare for and attend trials. 

Organize exhibits, files and all other supporting documents, coordinate trial set-up and logistics, assist attorneys in the courtroom by taking notes, handling exhibits, and marking documents referred to by counsel, assist in the preparation of witness testimony and serve as liaison between trial attorneys and in-house staff. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

1. Must have general understanding of federal and state court rules, forms, processes, and procedures relating to discovery.  
2. Must possess excellent research skills, including knowledge of electronic search technology and litigation databases. 
3. Must be extremely detail-oriented and capable of consistently producing error-free work product for exacting attorneys. 
4. At least three years of experience as a civil litigation paralegal in a mid-size or large law firm.  
5. Must have strong communication, organizational, and multi-tasking skills and be a “self-starter.” 
6. Experience with employment law firm a plus.  
7. Exceptional customer service skills to anticipate and satisfy attorney’s administrative needs. 
8. Need to be available and able to work overtime as required. 

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a law firm setting in all primary job functions described above. Additionally, the Paralegal will demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Excellent customer service attitude and demeanor.  
• Concise and accurate verbal and written communication skills. 
• Flexibility with work hours and the willingness to pitch in and multi-task wherever and whenever needed. 
• Demonstrated project management skills including the ability to show initiative in problem solving when issues arise that need solutions. 
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage assignments autonomously.  
• Strong clerical skills including a thorough understanding of and   proficiency in Microsoft Office, iManage (or equivalent document management program), Relativity, Westlaw and LexMachina.  
• Technically proficient 

*Benefits: Comprehensive HDHP health plan, dental plan, and vision plan; Teladoc coverage for remote medical care; HSA for medical, and dependent care FSA; Competitive paid time off (PTO) available and increasing with tenure at the firm; 4 hours PTO for medical appointments; 11 paid holidays, including the observation of Juneteenth; life and AD&D coverage through Unum; short-term and long-term disability insurance; identity theft protection; pet insurance; AFLAC and umbrella coverage available; Employee Assistance Program; 401(k) savings plan with matching and profit sharing contribution; paid parental leave; emergency travel assistance; student loan refinancing options and financial planning assistance; onsite parking and/or public transportation subsidies; monthly gym reimbursement. 

*These benefits are subject to change 

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in all our employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, assignment, re-assignment, promotion, transfer, and compensation. Our Firm prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in employment based on race; color; religion; national origin; sex (including pregnancy); gender; gender expression or identity; change of sex or transgender status; sexual orientation; age; disability; genetic information, citizenship status; military or veteran status; or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

This position is NOT open to candidate submissions from external search firms.