Litigation Paralegal

Job Description

Avata Partners is seeking an experienced litigation paralegal to work with a well-known law firm in Oakland, CA. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in Litigation and the ability to work aside a collaborative team.

OVERVIEW:
Litigation Paralegals perform a broad range of case related duties under the supervision of an attorney as outlined in the job description for Litigation Paralegal. After a short orientation to our system, Litigation Paralegals are expected to take full responsibility for casework, handle all related tasks competently, be detail oriented and have good writing and verbal skills.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organize case file contents at outset of each case; assemble and maintain key medical and other case files; update settlement file, case activity list for court appearances.
• Oversee requests for medical records/pathology/radiology films; contact physicians and medical facilities to obtain declarations for advancement of client deposition and trial assignment.
• Send medical, pathology, and radiology films to consulting physicians for review and/or client examination; provide records obtained via authorization to defense counsel.
• Review all defense requested "first look" medical/employment/social security/military records, and prepare objections as needed for release of records.
• Organize and summarize medical records and medical billing.
• Prepare deposition notices, arrange for court reporters and videographers.
• Enter Master Calendar information for court appearances and discovery deadline due dates; track and advise attorneys of all case deadlines and court appearances.
• Prepare pleadings including ex-parte notices and applications, motion papers and physician declarations for depositions and motions for preference, motions to consolidate, offers to compromise, court appearance notices, case management statements, and notices of case management and other court orders.
• Draft responses to defendants' discovery requests; draft responses to defendants' meet and confer letters; prepare and serve third-party subpoenas.
• Correspond with clients, referring counsel and opposing counsel under signature and for attorneys.
• Maintain regular telephone contact with clients and provide updated client status reports to attorneys.
• Clerical functions including filing, photocopying and faxing not undertaken by secretaries, assistants and copy department.
• Assist in trial preparation and trial on all matters including court filings, questionnaires, exhibits, scheduling and transportation of witnesses and experts, and other duties as requested by the trial attorney.
• Coordinate autopsy requests (as needed) with family, medical facilities, and government agencies.
• Other Duties as assigned by the supervising attorneys.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and handle numerous tasks in a fast paced environment while engaged in the management of multiple cases.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet statutory, time and content sensitive deadlines.
• Computer literacy of software programs including Outlook, Word, Summation, Excel and others required.
• Work sensitively with terminally ill clients and their families.
• Work independently on special projects and as well as perform as a part of a team.
• Think and problem solve logically and creatively.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE:

• Paralegal certification from a program approved by the American Bar Association or
• Certificate or Degree from an accredited post-secondary institution that requires a minimum of 24 semester units in law-related courses or
• Bachelor's or advanced degree with a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney and a written declaration from the supervising attorney attesting to qualifications or
• High school diploma or GED, minimum of 3 years of law related experience and a written declaration from the attorney attesting to qualifications.
• Experience with research and interviewing skills and techniques preferred,
• Medical background or knowledge of medical terminology preferred,
• Demonstrated outstanding performance as a fully qualified litigation paralegal preferred,
• Active plaintiff Personal Injury litigation with asbestos experience preferred.

This is a Hybrid position making $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 yearly.