Paralegal (General)

Wiley, a leading Washington, DC law firm, is seeking an entry-level paralegal to join the firm's Legal Support team. The paralegal position is designed to build skill proficiency in case management and use of litigation software and database applications, research and analysis of both case law and factual data, and cite-checking of legal documents.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE:

The entry-level paralegal position is designed to build skill proficiency in case management and use of litigation software and database applications, research and analysis of both case law and factual data and cite-checking of legal documents. Proficiency in research and cite-checking confers a significant advantage on those headed to law school.

ANTICIPATED START DATE:

February 18, 2025

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works with attorneys and/or Legal and Practice Support staff on client billable projects, including but not limited to organization, management, and review of case documents (both paper and electronic); maintaining case calendars; factual and legal research; assisting with preparation, cite-checking, and filing of legal briefs and memoranda; preparation of exhibits, forms, and court applications
• Meets the firm’s minimum hours expectations of 1700 chargeable hours annually
• Assembles and finalizes documents to be filed (both in paper and electronically) with courts and agencies, including cite-checking (verification of quotations and general caselaw propositions, conforming to Bluebook or other jurisdiction-appropriate format, and ensuring formatting compliance with local rules), generating tables of authorities/contents, preparing exhibits, filing, and service/courtesy copies
• Drafts basic legal documents (e.g., motions, proposed orders), pleadings shells, and analysis/summaries of case materials
• Prepares materials for depositions, hearing, and trials and coordinates logistics of same
• Supports discovery efforts by drafting discovery requests and responses; organizing, reviewing, coding, redacting, and otherwise preparing documents for production under the direction of supervising attorneys; assisting with drafting privilege logs; etc.
• Coordinates case/court deadline communication, update, and reporting with attorneys and Docketing Department
• Works with attorneys and Practice Support to plan and provide support for court and agency trials and hearings remotely, locally, and out of town

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required (minimum GPA of 3.0 required for candidates with no prior paralegal experience)
• Paralegal certificate and/or fluency in a language other than English is a plus but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both in oral and written form
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize/coordinate deadlines, and track progress of tasks
• Ability to organize workflow and use time efficiently
• Ability to demonstrate strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Maintenance of strict confidentiality of work-related information and materials
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationships in or out of a team environment
• Able to manage matters from initiation through resolution
• Proficiency in the use of office productivity applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat); development of ability to use document review/transcript management software (Relativity/Westlaw, Case Notebook, and similar) may be required; aptitude for learning new software strongly preferred
• Ability to develop proficiency in cite-checking (including conforming citations to format required by jurisdiction), proofreading, formatting, and performing electronic filings (ECF)
• Knowledge of how to investigate, research, and analyze data under the supervision of attorneys (e.g., LEXIS/Westlaw, Internet, factual research at government agencies and courts, investigative fact-gathering, document review)
• Ability to locate, interpret, and apply court, agency, and/or judge’s rules
• Consistently demonstrate growth in substantive skills and knowledge of practice area
• Able to digest, analyze, and prepare written summaries of materials
• Flexibility and willingness to work overtime on an as needed basis
• Must be able to travel locally and occasionally travel out of the area for hearings, trials, etc.
• Flexibility and willingness to respond to issues during and outside of core business hours

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Position operates in a professional office environment which is usually quiet to moderate
• Position routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets
• Position requires that the employee be able to multi-task in a fast-paced work environment
• This position is primarily a sedentary position. However, some duties and responsibilities may require the employee to lift files, open filing cabinets, bend or stand, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, occasionally move about to access office equipment, file cabinets, etc.
• May require employee to carry or lift items weighing up to 30 pounds

This description outlines the basic requirements of this position. It is not intended to be a complete description as other duties may be assigned.

The base salary for this position is $55,000 annually. Actual salary will be determined based on skills, experience (to the extent relevant) and other job-related factors, consistent with applicable law.

Wiley’s comprehensive benefits package includes medical and prescription drug plan coverage, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan with firm discretionary contribution, generous paid time off (PTO) package plus ten firm paid holidays, access to state of the art on-site fitness facilities and locker rooms and wellness programming, paid parental leave and subsidized backup child/elder care, and more.

*Wiley is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to the achievement of excellence, diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

**This Organization Participates in E-Verify. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.