Litigation Paralegal

About the Firm

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with over 500 attorneys across the United States. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Chicago, we provide sophisticated legal counsel to clients in highly regulated industries, including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and professional services. We also offer strategic business and transactional advice to a wide range of for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including government agencies and educational institutions.

Responsibilities

• Continual review and management of case files from inception through mediation/arbitration/trial/settlement;
• Prepare subpoenas compelling depositions and/or document productions;
• Prepare initial discovery, i.e., interrogatories, request for production, request for admissions;
• Prepare draft responses to discovery, including document productions and corresponding privilege logs;
• Prepare attorneys for depositions;
• Prepare depositions summaries/abstracts;
• Research, vet and engage with subject matter experts;
• Monitor deadlines for responses and timeliness;
• Prepare legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, fact/medical chronologies, agreements, and/or trial and/or mediation binders for use by attorneys;
• Investigate facts as requested by attorneys;
• Capture and record billable time in compliance with firm policies and client guidelines;
• Trial preparation: prepare trial subpoenas, trial notebooks, exhibit lists, witness lists; engage in witness management; schedule trial testimony; prepare and manipulate trial presentations and other trial-related tasks as necessary;
• Attend trial as necessary.

Requirements

• A minimum of five years of general civil litigation experience.
• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Computer Skills: Must have working knowledge of internet and proficiency with: Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Pro, LexisNexis, Pacer, Relativity, Sanction, TrialPad, and iManage.
• Knowledge of complex litigation.
• Experience with trial preparation and participation/attendance, including organization of witness materials and preparation of physical and electronic exhibits; experience with exhibit manipulation software such as Sanction/Trial Director/TrialPad, Relativity and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; able to read and interpret written information.
• Oral Communication: Listens and obtains clarification when necessary; responds well to questions.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Quality: Demonstrates strong organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; commits to additional hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data.
• Initiative: Takes independent actions and calculated risks; asks for and offers help when needed.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality.
• Professionalism: Accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Flexible benefits program
• Generous 401(k) plan
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities
• Supportive environment that encourages work-life balance and career development