Paralegal / Senior Paralegal

  Paralegal POSITION SUMMARY Assists assigned in-house attorneys with dockets before the Workers’ Compensation Commission and appeals before the Maryland trial courts. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Assembles/disassembles hearing files accurately and timely in accordance with protocols, including preparation and faxing of exhibits, determining sufficiency of the company’s IME report and identifying information that supports the company’s defense. • Makes recommendations to adjuster and attorney regarding additional actions to be taken by way of investigation and potential for resolution. • Identifies potential conflict and SIF cases. • Identifies information with which to respond to discovery requests. • Drafts and types correspondence and pleadings. • Organizes appeal files. • Keeps attorney calendar, including scheduling appearances as directed and diarying pertinent dates. • Requests payment for legal-incurred bills. • Gathers information for preparation of policyholder letters. • Participates in departmental projects and completes all duties as assigned. • Identify cases assigned to attorney and provide attorney with case issues and assigned commissioner. • Review attorney early review notes and complete assigned tasks as applicable. SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • High School Diploma required and 2+ years of experience in a legal firm or department as a legal assistant. • AA Degree in Paralegal Studies or Paralegal Certificate required, or 4+ years of experience as a workers’ compensation legal assistant. • Basic PC skills. • Ability to multitask and work independently; high flexibility. • Excellent keyboarding skills. • Bilingual skills preferred. POSITIONAL COMPETENCIES • Bias for Action • Knowledge Sharing • Deliver Results • Personal Leadership • Teamwork and Communication • Service and Sales Excellence PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required, including close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT Office Environment. The noise level is usually moderate. SALARY $26.63-$39.95 (Per hour, commensurate with experience. Non-Exempt)   Senior Paralegal POSITION SUMMARY Assists two (2) or more assigned staff attorneys with dockets before the Workers’ Compensation Commission and appeals before the Maryland trial courts. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Creates hearing and appeal files, including identifying additional defenses and evidence supporting defense, preparing exhibits, determining sufficiency of IME reports and SIU investigations, and arranging for witness attendance. • Recommends additional actions necessary to resolve or defend claim. • Determines legal sufficiency of issues filed, recommends additional actions to resolve or defend claim, and coordinates action to be accomplished. • Maintains attorney calendar, including scheduling appearances and coordinating discovery with clients and witnesses. • Under the direct supervision of an attorney, drafts discovery motions, pleadings, appellate briefs, and other litigation-related documents. • Participates in departmental projects and completes all duties as assigned. • Identifies potential conflicts. • Requests payment for legal-incurred bills. • Identify cases assigned to attorney and provide attorney with case issues and assigned commissioner. • Review attorney early review notes and complete assigned tasks as applicable. SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE • Minimum AA Degree in Paralegal Studies with at least 2 years of experience preparing Maryland workers’ compensation cases for hearing attorney’s review. • Intermediate level of PC skills, including demonstrable strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, and preferably PowerPoint. • Must demonstrate professionalism and core values of integrity, teamwork, excellence, accountability, and moving forward through innovation. • Excellent interpersonal and cognitive skills. • Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, as well as strong proofreading skills. • Demonstrated ability to draft complex pleadings and discovery and conduct legal research using various methods, i.e., law library and online programs. • Proficient in Microsoft Office. • Bilingual skills preferred. POSITIONAL COMPETENCIES • Bias for Action • Knowledge Sharing • Deliver Results • Service and Sales Excellence • Personal Leadership • Teamwork and Communication PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required, including close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT Office Environment. The noise level is usually moderate. SALARY $31.06-$46.59 (Per hour, commensurate with experience. Non-exempt)