Paralegal, State Litigation

Job Summary

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation, the Paralegal provides paralegal support to assigned attorneys and general support across the Law Office. This role is of a confidential nature and has regular access to Law Office and other CPS Departments' confidential files, data, and information, including confidential student and employee information. This is a full-time, non-exempt position that will be paid for time worked on an hourly basis.

Responsibilities

• Assisting attorneys with filing pleadings and in preparation of and during hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and trials, including preparing witness folders, exhibits, subpoenas, courtesy copies, and provides technology assistance
• Providing support with operational and administrative tasks related to workers’ compensation matters
• Representing the District at Administrative Hearings for City Building Department Citations
• Gathering information and documents from various departments and District systems relating to threatened litigation and pending litigation matters
• Aiding with discovery by drafting requests and preparing responses, and collecting, organizing, reviewing, summarizing and redacting a variety of records
• Maintaining and updating the state litigation docket and scheduling court reporters for depositions, hearings, mediations, and arbitrations
• Maintaining and organizing electronic case files in the Matter Management System following Unit and legal protocols
• Performing legal research on Westlaw and cite-checking briefs
• Aiding with cross-functional work and new initiatives

Qualifications

• Required Education And Experience: Associate degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years of administrative support or clerical work experience; or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three (3) years of administrative support or clerical work experience
• Minimum of two (2) years of work experience in a legal environment is required
• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy while balancing multiple time-sensitive priorities; Excellent organizational skills; Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize a large volume of files in a dynamic, complex, fast-paced environment to meet and manage competing deadlines; Ability to track and adhere to strict timelines and ensure all filings and other legal documents are submitted by required deadlines; Ability to take ownership of, and independently manage, tasks, timelines and systems, following tasks through to completion with little or no follow-up; Knows when to ask questions; Ability to maintain confidentiality related to sensitive information, videos, and documents; Clear, effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills (speaking, writing, listening); Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively and professionally at all times with team members, other Law Department staff, executive offices, internal clients and external partners; Strong typing skills and proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite, and CM/ECF and Odyssey E-filing software; Solid working knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures; Proficiency or ability to quickly gain proficiency using CPS and legal systems and applications (i.e., Oracle, PeopleSoft, SSM, Aspen, Matter Management System, docket management, document review, e-discovery)

Conditions of Employment

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.