Paralegal

Our client, a well-established full-service law firm headquartered in Buffalo, NY, is seeking an Insurance Defense Paralegal to provide comprehensive litigation support to attorneys representing insurance carriers, municipalities, businesses, and insured clients in civil litigation matters.

About the role

This position requires exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a high-volume caseload in a fast-paced law firm environment. The firm's Buffalo office focuses on matters including automobile liability, premises liability, products liability, municipal defense, construction litigation, and other tort claims.

Responsibilities

• Manage litigation files from case inception through trial and appeal.
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery demands and responses, subpoenas, notices, and correspondence.
• Coordinate electronic filing in New York State and federal courts.
• Review, organize, and summarize medical records, employment records, and other case-related documents.
• Prepare chronologies, liability analyses, medical summaries, and deposition summaries.
• Coordinate depositions, independent medical examinations (IMEs), mediations, and expert witness scheduling.
• Maintain litigation calendars and monitor court deadlines.
• Communicate with insurance adjusters, clients, opposing counsel, experts, and court personnel.
• Assist attorneys with trial preparation by organizing exhibits, witness files, trial notebooks, and demonstrative evidence.
• Review discovery responses and assist with document production.
• Maintain accurate billing records and support attorneys with billable litigation tasks.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Paralegal certificate preferred.
• Three or more years of litigation or insurance defense paralegal experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of New York civil practice and litigation procedures.
• Experience reviewing medical records and handling personal injury litigation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines while working independently.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal case management software.

Preferred Experience

• Personal injury defense
• Automobile liability
• Premises liability
• Products liability
• Municipal defense
• Insurance coverage and general liability litigation

Benefits

• Medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance for contract/temporary professionals.
• Eligibility to enroll in the company 401(k) plan for hired contract/temporary professionals.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.