Sr. Paralegal - Complex Commercial Litigation
The Senior Complex Commercial Litigation Paralegal (Senior CCL Paralegal) serves as a key member of the Firm's litigation team, independently managing a substantial caseload of complex commercial litigation matters while providing strategic support and leadership across the practice group. The Senior CCL Paralegal exercises independent judgment in the day-to-day management of assigned matters—from case inception through trial and appeal—and assumes full responsibility for all aspects of case administration, including pleadings, correspondence, document management, discovery oversight, deposition coordination, and hearing and trial preparation. In addition, the Senior CCL Paralegal supervises and mentors junior paralegals, contributes to practice group operations, and collaborates closely with attorneys to develop and execute litigation strategy.
Primary Responsibilities and/or Essential Functions:
Independent Case Management
- Manage all phases of assigned litigation matters with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment and prioritizing competing demands across a full caseload.
- Serve as lead paralegal on complex matters and trials, coordinating with attorneys to develop case timelines, litigation strategy, and discovery plans.
- Prepare, finalize, and file substantive pleadings, motions, and discovery requests and responses, ensuring compliance with applicable court rules and deadlines.
- Draft and finalize standard and complex documents, including pro hac vice motions, proposed orders, notices of appearance, summonses, affidavits of service, and subpoenas.
- Substantively cite-check legal documents and format citations in accordance with Bluebook standards.
- Maintain thorough knowledge of filing procedures and rules for federal, state, and local courts, including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) and state equivalents.
- Coordinate service of complaints, discovery, and subpoenas, and manage all related deadlines and logistics.
- Maintain and organize electronic case files, including pleadings, discovery, and correspondence.
- Monitor dockets and proactively calendar court appearances, filing deadlines, and other key dates.
- Lead document review projects and manage productions using e-discovery platforms.
- Oversee deposition logistics from start to finish, including preparation and service of deposition notices and subpoenas, coordination with court reporters and videographers, and preparation of exhibits and summaries.
- Lead trial preparation efforts, including organization of trial materials, witness coordination, exhibit preparation, and in-court support; manage post-trial filings and appeals-related tasks.
- Maintain confidential and privileged information with the highest degree of professionalism.
- Demonstrate proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, SharePoint, Opus2, Case Notebook, Pacer Pro, Relativity, and other litigation support tools.
Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities
- Supervise, train, and mentor junior and mid-level paralegals, providing guidance on case management, professional development, and best practices.
- Collaborate with the paralegal coordinator on staffing, workload distribution, and development of training programs and resources.
- Set team priorities for filings, briefs, and other deliverables to maximize efficiency, meet deadlines, and anticipate case requirements.
- Serve as a lead point of contact during complex discovery projects, coordinating workflow across team members and communicating with attorneys regarding conflicts and resource needs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- A minimum of seven years of complex commercial litigation experience, including significant experience serving as lead paralegal on high-stakes matters and complex trials.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a substantial, independent caseload with minimal supervision while maintaining the highest standards of quality and accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to anticipate issues, develop effective solutions, and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactive communicator who works collaboratively with attorneys and colleagues to facilitate workflow, resolve conflicts, and ensure seamless case management.
- Commitment to continuous professional development; seeks opportunities to expand expertise and contribute to the growth of the team.
- High degree of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail; takes ownership of work product and acknowledges and learns from mistakes.
Education/Certifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a strong academic record.
- Paralegal certification preferred.
Estimated salary range is $125,000 - $145,000. Compensation decisions within the range are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case including but not limited to the individual's skills, experience, and qualifications.
