Paralegal - Construction Litigation

JOB SUMMARY:

This position performs a variety of legal administrative support duties and delivers high-quality service to clients, exhibiting commitment to integrity and excellence. Candidates for the role must have significant Florida construction litigation experience and a thorough knowledge of law firm and practice specific administrative processes and procedures, information technology systems, research tools, and a broad-based understanding of the clients, matters, and associated practices. The scope of responsibilities includes prioritizing, managing, following through on multiple projects, and communicating effectively, courteously, and professionally with clients, attorneys, staff, and peers.  

We are seeking a professional to work in-person at our Orlando office (not on a remote basis) with a positive work ethic who loves what they do because they know they are on the front line in providing a high level of service to our attorneys, staff, and clients. We think that means you need great people skills, patience, and the ability to multi-task and prioritize. You need to be proactive and confident in your commitment to our attorneys and clients by identifying what they need and providing it. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Experience working in a mid to large-sized firm and collaborating with various firm-wide departments to handle various responsibilities, including case opening, conflict checks, billing, training, records, etc.
• Working knowledge of the rules of procedure governing courts relating to this role, including experience filing pleadings with the court in compliance with court requirements.
• Assist with trial preparation, including the readiness of courtrooms and attendance at trials. 
• Conduct investigations, engage in legal research, develop draft pleadings, prepare motions for review by an assigned attorney, and assist in discovery.
• Act as liaison with designated outside counsel and their paralegal staff.
• Advise attorney on the priority needs and status of assigned cases.
• Prepare draft affidavits of documents, maintain case correspondence and document files.
• Contact court administrators and regulatory bodies as needed.
• Write memoranda to summarize research results.
• Handle large and complex document productions to include retrieval, review, and upload to databases.
• Cite-check and edit legal documents.
• Maintain documents, transcript, and work product databases.
• Organize and prepare exhibit lists and privilege logs.
• Responsible for coordination of work with outside document/litigation vendors.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to draft and proofread correspondence, pleadings, and other legal documents.
• Experience tracking and billing professional time to client files.
• Manage electronic and paper case files.
• The above description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. You may be required to perform other duties as assigned, which may include work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

 Education and Experience 

• Must have an Associate’s degree in paralegal or legal studies or Paralegal Certificate. Bachelor’s degree in paralegal or legal studies preferred.
• Must have a minimum of five years of law firm experience. 
• Florida construction litigation experience required. 
• Experience working with multiple attorneys required.
• Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) preferred.

 Knowledge Requirements 

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and time constraints.
• Ability to effectively balance assignments and workflow from multiple attorneys.
• Ability to multitask and handle multiple responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail, initiative and follow-through required.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly express thoughts to others and exchange information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, vendors, and clients.
• Knowledge of Florida Court procedures, processes, and filing requirements.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including extensive knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel, and experience working with law firm case management and billing software required. Knowledge of FileSite, CMS, SmartTime, and Aderant a plus.
• Working knowledge of Relativity is required.

Shutts & Bowen is an equal employment opportunity employer.