Job Description
Our client, a leading law firm with a sophisticated U.S. litigation practice, is seeking an experienced Trial Paralegal to support complex commercial disputes from inception through trial and post-trial proceedings in an onsite New York office role. This position offers hands-on involvement across all phases of litigation, including case management, discovery coordination, deposition and trial preparation, and in-court support, working closely with partners and associates in a fast-paced environment. The role requires strong expertise in federal and New York court procedures, eDiscovery platforms, and trial technology, along with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes matters simultaneously. It’s an excellent opportunity for a seasoned paralegal who thrives under pressure, is highly organized, and brings a proactive, team-oriented approach to supporting complex litigation.
Experienced trial paralegal to support our US litigation team across all phases of complex commercial disputes, from case inception through trial and post‑trial proceedings. The role involves close collaboration with partners, associates and other team members in fast‑paced matters, including federal and state court litigation and arbitration.
Key Responsibilities:
Case management and factual development
- Assist with case intake and set‑up, including matter opening forms, initial document collection and case chronology creation.
- Manage and maintain case files (physical and electronic), including pleadings, correspondence, discovery materials and work product.
- Prepare and update case timelines, issue charts, witness lists and exhibit lists.
- Conduct factual research using public records, online databases and other sources (excluding legal research and legal analysis).
- Assist with drafting, formatting and proof‑reading factual sections of case documents, including background statements, chronologies and factual summaries.
Discovery support
- Coordinate and manage document collection from clients and third parties, including tracking custodians and data sources.
- Assist with document review workflows, including batching, coding and quality control within eDiscovery platforms.
- Prepare, organise and maintain discovery logs (e.g. production logs, privilege logs), under attorney supervision.
- Support attorneys with preparation of discovery requests and responses (e.g. assembling exhibits, checking references, ensuring completeness of factual attachments).
- Manage incoming and outgoing productions, including processing, indexing and dissemination to the team and client.
Deposition preparation and support
- Assist in preparing deposition outlines and witness preparation materials, including document binders, exhibit sets, chronology extracts and key document summaries.
- Identify and organise potential exhibits for depositions and maintain exhibit indexes.
- Coordinate logistics for depositions, including scheduling, court reporters, videographers, interpreters and conference facilities (in‑person and remote).
- Attend depositions as required to manage exhibits, take notes, and support the examination team.
Trial preparation and courtroom support
- Assist in all aspects of pre‑trial preparation, including preparation of witness binders, exhibit binders, demonstratives and trial notebooks.
- Manage trial logistics, including war room set‑up, equipment needs, coordination with court personnel, vendors, and on‑site technology support.
- Maintain and update exhibit lists, witness lists and trial checklists during trial.
- Coordinate and support trial technology (e.g. electronic presentation of evidence) in collaboration with internal IT and external vendors.
- Attend trial as needed to manage exhibits, track testimony, handle real‑time changes to witness and exhibit lists, and provide general on‑site support to the trial team.
Post‑trial and appeals support
- Assist with organising and archiving trial records, exhibits and transcripts.
- Support preparation of post‑trial submissions and appellate record materials, including compilation and indexing of trial documents and exhibits.
Client and team coordination
- Serve as a primary organisational point of contact for attorneys, clients and vendors on assigned matters for scheduling and logistics.
- Coordinate meetings, conference calls and case‑related events, maintaining agendas and tracking follow‑up items.
- Assist with matter budgeting and vendor invoices by tracking time, expenses and third‑party costs where required.
Experience:
- At least five years of paralegal experience in litigation, with significant trial experience in New York state and/or federal courts.
- Strong familiarity with litigation procedures, court rules and filing practices in New York courts and federal courts (e.g. ECF systems, local practices).
- Demonstrated experience supporting all phases of trial, including pre‑trial preparation, live trial support and post‑trial work.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat and document management systems.
- Hands‑on experience with e‑discovery tools and platforms (e.g. Relativity, Everlaw, DISCO or similar), including document review and production workflows.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple matters and deadlines in a high‑volume environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, exercising sound judgement and maintaining confidentiality.
- Flexibility to work overtime, evenings and weekends and to travel for trials and key hearings as required.
- Experience in complex commercial litigation, securities, regulatory investigations or arbitration.
- Comfort working with trial presentation software (e.g. TrialDirector, Sanction, OnCue) and real‑time transcript tools.
- Experience liaising with external vendors (court reporters, e‑discovery providers, trial graphics and trial technology vendors).
- Proactive, resourceful and solution‑oriented.
- Calm and reliable under pressure, particularly in trial settings.
- Strong team ethic and willingness to support colleagues at all levels.
- Discreet and professional in handling sensitive and confidential information.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and/or completion of an accredited paralegal program.
Expected salary for this role is $100,000 - $130,000, commensurate with experience, training, skills, qualifications, and other market factors.
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Job ID: 7465
Job Tags
Work at office, Local area, Weekend work, Afternoon shift