Litigation Paralegal - Environmental and Natural Resources

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.

At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to inclusiveness and collaboration. We are proud of our diverse workplace, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

This position is located in the firm's Bend, Oregon office, however there may be opportunities for remote work. This position will require the candidate to work closely with the litigation attorneys in managing all cases by monitoring court deadlines; researching court requirements, rules of court, and applicable law; liaising with the court and vendors; preparing and managing workflows; drafting pleadings, discovery,  motions, and other documents; and performing cite checking functions. The paralegal will also assist the attorneys to prepare for pretrial hearings and trial, and may accompany attorneys in court.

This Paralegal position will support the firm's environmental and litigation practices by providing case-specific and project and trial support.  Litigation Paralegals are expected to bill a minimum of 1500 hours per year, to firm client matters (including pro bono matters) or approved non-billable practice group work, special assignments or firm administration assignments, maintain regular office hours consistent with the firm's normal business hours, and be available, as needed, for after-hours and weekend overtime.

Litigation paralegals should have a high degree of knowledge and familiarity with various software, including e-Discovery software (iPro, Relativity One, etc.), Text Map, Case Notebook, TrialPad, and the Microsoft Office group of software, especially Outlook, Word and Excel. Paralegals should also feel comfortable using firm management software, such as iManage and Zoom.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Case management, including monitoring progression of cases from inception to close, and proactively initiating case workflow, when appropriate.
• Knowledge of the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure, Oregon Judicial Department and Circuit Court Rules, federal rules of practice and procedure, and electronic filing rules, including Pacer and other electronic filing vendors.  Knowledge of California rules is a plus.
• Review documents for privilege, responsiveness, and possible production; prepare documents for production, applying redactions and Bates labeling.
• Draft and prepare legal documents, such as memos, briefs, pleadings, appellate filings, discovery, etc.
• Effectively use and manage databases, such as e-Discovery software platforms.
• Effectively use the firm's information technology, including commercial databases, on-line research engines, AI, and the Internet.
• Oversee organization, maintenance, and appropriate utilization of documents and other case-related materials.
• Perform cite checking, shepardizing, and proof reading of briefs and other legal documents, including proper citation format pursuant to Bluebook and the Oregon Style Manual.
• Manage the discovery process, including drafting notices and subpoenas, preparing for deposition, propounding and responding to written discovery, preparing for expert discovery, and drafting discovery motions, drafting witness and attorney declarations, summarizing discovery productions, etc. 
• Perform analytical tasks, which may include preparing witness interview memoranda, reviewing and summarizing documents such as deposition and court transcripts, and preparing and maintaining privilege logs as needed.
• Assist with law and motion practice, including drafting motion papers, assembling motion papers and exhibits, assisting with filings of pleadings and briefs and ensuring proper service.
• Assist in preparing for and attending meetings, hearings, depositions, arbitrations, mediations, and communicate with opposing counsel and court staff.
• Manage docketing, including ascertaining calendaring requirements for each matter and ensuring proper maintenance of any required case calendars and firm docketing.
• Assist with trial preparation, including preparing trial subpoenas and on-call agreements, jury instructions and jury research, participation in the voir dire process, creating trial notebooks, identifying and organizing exhibits, preparing witness lists and coordinating witness schedules, drafting motions in limine and trial briefs, maintaining trial calendars and communicating effectively with opposing counsel and courtroom staff.
• Draft pretrial statements and settlement conference memoranda.
• Prepare and/or supervise vendor preparation of graphs and demonstrative exhibits.
• Assist attorneys at trial to operate and maintain trial software such as TrialPad for iPad software or other similar technology.
• Attend trial to take notes and handle demonstrative exhibits.
• Serve as main liaison between trial attorneys and litigation support team and work with litigation support team to plan and build electronic databases for the organization of voluminous documents.  
• Prepare memorandum of costs and draft attorney fee declarations.
• Prepare post trial documents, abstracts of judgments, monitor and renew judgments, and have a knowledge of best practices and legal tools for collections of judgments.
• Assist with all facets of appellate process including process and procedure for notices of appeal, designating the record, cite checking briefs, preparing appendices and other appellate procedures.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experience and satisfactory skill levels in all areas of Responsibility and Duties, above, with excellent skills in at least several of those areas.  Paralegals without satisfactory skill levels in one or more areas may satisfy the requirements of that skill set by demonstrating a likely ability to quickly develop such a skill level.  Substantive expertise in one or more areas of the law (i.e., environmental, tribal, water, natural resources) viewed favorably.
• Strong organizational, reasoning and research skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Attention to detail and initiative, with the ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions.
• Flexibility, composure and the ability to prioritize and handle many urgent tasks and requests simultaneously with a high level of competence and accuracy.
• The ability to remain composed and professional under stressful circumstances.
• Sensitivity to ethical and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to accept feedback from a variety of sources and constructively manage any conflicts.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, communicating effectively and maintaining productive relationships with coworkers, clients, and other contacts.
• Ability to work independently, with little supervision.
• Display initiative and leadership in analyzing and resolving problems and issues as they arise.
• As necessary, supervise other paralegals, including managing work flow, assisting in the training of Paralegal I and delegating responsibilities, as authorized or requested by firm administration.
• Observe assigned secretarial support in order to meaningfully contribute and complete an annual performance evaluation, as requested by firm administration.
• Other tasks, as required by firm attorneys or firm administrators.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Paralegal certificate from an ABA approved program desired but not required.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Six (6) to ten (10) years' of experience as a litigation paralegal required.

Firm Travel:

• Must have flexibility to travel on short notice for and on behalf of the firm

The reasonably expected pay scale for this position with 6 or more years of experience is $75,000 - $85,000 annually, non-exempt.  The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s location and experience.  We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.