General Litigation Paralegal
Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell & Diggs (IMW) is a world-class Black-owned law firm serving the Los Angeles area since 1943. We have an opportunity for a General Litigation Paralegal in our Downtown Los Angeles office.
The ideal candidate will bring 3+ years of general litigation experience including deposition, trial preparation and support. Must demonstrate initiative and follow-through while managing multiple, competing deadlines. Candidate must be very organized, proactive, and have excellent written and communication skills. Experience using calendaring software required. Requirements include a high level of academic achievement, writing skills, and law firm experience with billable hour requirements.
We value attention to detail, a great attitude, and the ability to strategically manage workload to support our growing practice groups.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: ("Essential functions" are primarily job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable accommodation made by the employer.)
- Responsible for coordinating and confirming the scheduling of meetings, depositions, and hearings for firm attorneys with clients and other parties.
- Experience in reviewing and analyzing medical, financial, and other case-related documents and records.
- Responsible for monitoring court calendars for scheduled matters.
- Reviews and analyzes matters for the purpose of preparing weekly case status reports.
- Processes incoming mail, faxes, and emails, calendaring and tasking appearances and deadlines as necessary using master calendar system.
- Handles outgoing mail to ensure timely delivery.
- Drafts routine pleadings, discovery, correspondence, and other legal documents.
- Manages and organizes case files and other records.
- Identifies and issues subpoenas for appropriate records following case guidelines with attorney guidance.
- Establishes, organizes and maintains attorney trial notebooks, expert witness notebooks, document indexes and lists.
- Locates and confers with expert witnesses and consultants. Arranges for expert witness examinations (IMEs) and obtains approval from counsel of record and specified parties.
- Conducts research and locates cases, depositions, opinions, reports and information related to the matter.
- Reviews and outlines depositions, indexes and summarizes documents.
- Proficiency in the use of data bases and other information technology, including, legal matter management and contract management solutions
- Advanced legal research skills including Lexis, Westlaw, or other computerized legal research tools.
- Assists attorneys in the preparation of cases for trial or arbitration by preparing Witness and Exhibit Lists, Subpoenas, and contacting witnesses.
- Assists in the trial or arbitration of the case including the scheduling of witnesses and controlling and tracking exhibits.
- Maintains and updates electronic and paper case files as applicable.
- Performs assigned legal research tasks using all available resources including libraries, and computer databases.
- Intermediate level computer and word processing skills and current versions of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and Windows.
- Receives clients and visitors; maintains good public relations with clients; observes confidentiality of attorney-client relationship.
- Follows the ethical requirements as set forth by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State of California.
- Self-starting but not afraid to ask questions, or to seek clarification from attorneys.
- Operates standard office equipment, such as multi-function devices, scanners, copiers and computers; transcribes dictation when needed.
Education, Training & Experience:
- Degree from accredited college or university.
- Paralegal certification from ABA accredited organization is required.
- 2-5 years of litigation experience in a law firm, or legal department required, preferably working in an insurance defense law environment.
- Experience with Sanction or Trial Director.
- Expertise in Microsoft Office 365, Lexis and Westlaw.
- Experience with case management software a plus.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell & Diggs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort you spent in contacting us and thank you for your interest in our firm.