Paralegal

Overview:

The paralegal’s job is to help the law firm make a profit for its owner by helping the firm efficiently solve the problems for which its clients have hired the law firm. The paralegal can and should participate in any aspect of a client’s matter that does not require a bar license. Paralegals may not: Speak on the record, Sign pleadings and briefs, Set or recommend legal

strategy, and Supervise the production of legal work.

Reporting Relationship:

Paralegals perform their work under the direction of the Owner or other attorneys to whom he or she may be assigned. Paralegals’ employment relationship with the Firm is managed by the Firm Administrator or the Owner.

Authority:

Paralegals work under the direction and supervision of an attorney and understand that they do not have the authority to set or recommend legal strategy or set fees. They’re expected to be proactive while not crossing the boundary by engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. Even then, they’re expected to make appropriate recommendations to the attorney.

Status:

The Paralegal position is a Non-Exempt position.

Responsibilities (Including but not limited to):

Client-Focused Tasks:

1. Interacts with clients and builds trust by phone, email, and in person.

a. Keeps client appraised of the flow of the case. Updates Clients once per month on case status.

Attorney-Focused Tasks:

1. Research

a. Paralegal conducts factual research under the direction of the attorney.

b. Performs legal research under the direction of the attorney, including Legislative and case law updates.

c. Reviews the case and prepares the case status and summary notes.

2. Drafts Documents for Attorney Review

a. Motions

b. Oppositions

c. Legal Pleadings

d. Discovery and Discovery Responses

e. Letters and other Legal Documents

f. Agreements and other transaction documents

g. Due diligence and transaction status

3. Tracking

a. Deal progress

b. Deadlines

c. Outstanding items

4. Paralegal ensures that the legal work product that leaves the office is complete in appearance and error-free.

Delegation/Overseeing of Administrative Tasks:

1. Delegates non-billable tasks to Legal Secretary. Understands that when flat fee tasks are delegated to Legal Secretary, Legal Secretary will receive some or all time credit.

2. Creates timelines, how to videos, written instructions, and checklists for others to follow.

3. Paralegal checks in with support staff when assignments are delegated. When the work product standard has not been met, the paralegal must update a procedure and/or checklist in the xx book to ensure that the problem is never repeated.

4. Conducts or delegates conflict checks per policy and procedure of new names in a matter.

5. The paralegal keeps contemporaneous billing records reflecting work that the client. has received, has added value, and efficiently contributed to the client’s solution. If, on a given day, the paralegal does not have six hours of billable work to perform, then the paralegal should take the following action.

a. Review 3 open files.

i. Make sure the pleadings file and index are up to date.

ii. Make sure all deadlines and other important dates are calendared.

iii. List any actions that should or must be taken to protect and help the client.

iv. Take all actions that may be taken by a paralegal and notify the attorney of any such tasks that the attorney must take.

v. Make sure client is aware of any tasks that need to be performed by the client, upcoming calendar items, and upcoming deadlines and depositions.

b. Follow up with attorneys and other paralegals to let them know they are available for more work.

6. The paralegal needs to talk to the legal secretary face-to-face several times daily to ensure they work as an effective legal production team.

7. Paralegal must maintain a professional and positive working relationship with the Legal Secretary to serve the client effectively. The professional and positive working relationship is best demonstrated by the meeting of KPIs by the Legal Secretary.

This is an ongoing requirement. If problems arise, the Firm Administrator or Owner must be notified immediately upon noticing difficulties.

Education & Experience

A Paralegal should have a high school diploma, but a Paralegal Certificate and/or advanced training at a college or university is preferred. A Paralegal must have at least 3 – 5 years of experience in a law firm.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

1. Calendar 100% Deadlines Correctly.

2. 80% of each bill should be paid from the trust; Not to work on a file that doesn't have enough trust to cover WIP plus additional work.Reviews deadlines and meetings calendared or docketed by Legal Secretary within 24 hours of the firm receiving them.

3. Bill 94 hours per month

4. Track all non-billable work into the Firms’ time tracking system.

5. Participate in client pipeline meeting weekly.

6. 0 substantiated complaints or observations from internal or external customers about customer service, language, behavior, or professionalism.

7. No more than three unplanned absences, late arrivals, or early departures within a rolling 90-day period.

8. NO unapproved overtime worked.