Senior Paralegal

Keller Postman represents a broad array of clients in class and mass actions, individual arbitrations, and multidistrict litigation matters at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts. Serving hundreds of thousands of clients in litigation and arbitration, we have prosecuted high-profile mass tort, antitrust, privacy, product liability, employment, and consumer-rights cases. Our firm also acts as plaintiffs’ counsel in high-stakes public-enforcement actions. Our mission is to achieve exceptional results for our clients, drive innovation in the practice of law, and pursue unparalleled excellence in everything we do. 

Purpose: Keller Postman seeks a Senior Paralegal to support its practice of representing a broad array of clients as plaintiffs in complex litigation at the trial and appellate levels. The Senior Paralegal will be responsible for performing a variety of complex tasks in a fast-paced and demanding environment. Tasks and projects must be executed with a high level of attention to detail. The Senior Paralegal will spend approximately thirty percent of their time coordinating tasks and case assignments within an assigned practice area in addition to mentoring and training paralegals and legal assistants.

This a full-time, in-person position in our Chicago office.  The compensation range for this full-time position is $50/hour to $60/hour, plus a discretionary bonus and benefits.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinate and assign tasks to paralegals and legal assistants for cases within an assigned practice area.
• Assist with training and development of legal support staff by coaching and mentoring to strengthen their skills and competencies.
• Administratively manage all phases of litigation, including pleadings, motion practice, discovery, and appellate procedures.
• Administratively manage all aspects of trials and hearings by preparing pretrial documents, managing trial transcripts, compiling, and tracking trial exhibits.
• Assist with the preparation, filing, and organization of pleadings, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents using Microsoft Word, CM/ECF, Docket Bird, and other systems.
• Conduct factual and legal research using Westlaw and other sources to organize for attorney use.
• Cite-check legal documents to conform citations and authorities to Bluebook standards, Shepardize authorities, and verify the accuracy of quoted material and cited exhibits.
• Organize and maintain case files, pleadings, expert materials, attorney notebooks, and other documents in hard copy and on electronic case-management systems, including NetDocuments.
• Implement and manage organizational systems to maintain case calendars, pleadings, correspondence, and related case documents utilizing firm software.
• Communicate with courts, outside counsel, clients, experts, and vendors when necessary.
• Coordinate with other areas/departments within the firm to develop efficient procedures/communications to streamline processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of litigation motion practice, discovery, arbitration, trial, and appellate procedures.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Bluebook citation formatting and legal citation practices, with meticulous attention to detail in legal writing and document preparation.
• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Ability to coach and train others to develop their skills and strengthen the talent of the team.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced, high-volume, and demanding environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent time-management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to maintain a thorough understanding of rules and procedures for various federal and state jurisdictions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and good judgment.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently or as part of a team.
• Skilled in managing complex litigation in multiple jurisdictions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Education/Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of Paralegal experience required.
• A minimum of 3 years of litigation experience strongly preferred.
• Trial experience strongly preferred.
• Experience mentoring and training junior-level legal support staff.
• Experience using the federal courts’ CM/ECF system, PACER, Bluebook, and Westlaw.
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Certificates/Licenses Required:

• An ABA-approved Paralegal certificate is preferred.

Language Ability:

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.