JOB TITLE: Paralegal
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
A Paralegal at the law firm plays a crucial role in supporting attorneys by assisting with substantive legal work for which an attorney is responsible. The position involves managing the day-to-day needs of the attorney(s) to whom the paralegal is assigned. The primary duties and responsibilities include:
- Maintaining an annual billable hour goal of 1,440 hours for all full-time paralegals.
- Tracking and maintaining both billable and non-billable hours.
- Communicating with attorneys and/or clients to take instructions, obtain information, report on the status of matters, and support legal actions.
- Collaborating with attorneys to draft and prepare all documentation required for various types of transactions as assigned.
- Performing clerical work in preparing documents in some instances.
- Organizing, maintaining, reviewing, summarizing, and analyzing documents and records, compiling information, and recommending courses of action.
- Being familiar with locating and obtaining Circuit and Magistrate Court records.
- Developing and maintaining knowledge of statutes, court decisions, and customs relating to legal procedures and practices in appropriate areas of law, including filing procedures in all required states.
- Preparing and overseeing status checklists.
- Assisting attorneys in preparing filings pertaining to specific areas of law.
- Requesting and gathering copies of documents from various sources as necessary.
- Conducting investigations as necessary.
- Performing other duties and projects as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE INFORMATION:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in legal studies or a related field. Additionally, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are required:
- Ability to perform legal research.
- Ability to interview witnesses and document what is learned.
- Ability to organize large volumes of diverse materials and draft complex documents.
- Ability to analyze legal documents for accuracy.
- Ability to recognize legal/technical issues and effectively recommend courses of action.
- In-depth knowledge of legal terminology and principles.
- Basic computer skills.
Preferred qualifications include prior law firm experience and being detail-oriented with strong attention to detail. The candidate should exercise good judgment, be able to work independently and cooperatively in a team environment, prioritize and work under a tight schedule, travel as needed based on client demands, and work overtime to meet deadlines.
SALARY INFORMATION:
The job status is full-time, nonexempt, with a workweek of hours. The physical effort required includes lifting up to 40 lbs., some stretching and reaching, the ability to work under stress and time restraints, walking and climbing stairs, and sitting for long periods. The work environment is an indoor office setting with extended periods of time working on a PC. Occasionally, the paralegal must be able to work more than 40 hours per week.
The primary job duties and responsibilities described above outline the level and nature of work performed by the employee(s) assigned to this job. This description should not be construed as an exhaustive listing of all job duties and responsibilities performed by this job.
