Litigation Paralegal - Education Practice

Cranfill Sumner LLP is seeking an experienced paralegal to join our fast-paced Education Law Practice Group. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience in a busy litigation practice, assisting multiple attorneys in their daily work. This role requires strong litigation experience, including case management, document preparation, and managing deadlines in a high-volume environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing attorney effectiveness by providing critical legal support. Experience with education law is preferred.

This position can be seated in Raleigh, Charlotte, or Wilmington.  Remote work possible for the right candidate. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 year degree, or
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA accredited paralegal program, or
• At least 10 years' experience working as a paralegal

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Must be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite; i.e., Word, Outlook, etc.
• Minimum typing speed of 50 wpm
• Knowledge of NetDocuments (Document Management Software), and Aderant helpful
• Must be flexible/detail oriented
• Excellent client service or interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and handle conflicting priorities
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability to provide paralegal support for two or more attorneys
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely fashion
• Ability to manage/meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently, or as part of a team, using initiative in all aspects of assignments
• Keen observation skills
• Prior North Carolina litigation paralegal experience a plus
• Working knowledge or familiarity with NC and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence

EXPECTATIONS

• Regular attendance 5 days per week consistently on time (unless pre-approved or modified schedule)
• Accuracy of work product
• Aspire to record 100 or more billable hours per month

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The litigation paralegal position may involve some or all of the following duties:

• Record daily billable time in time and billing system;
• Draft correspondence, case status reports and budgets;
• Draft pleadings, including answers, motions, notices, orders, calendar requests, subpoenas, affidavits, and other court filings;
• Draft discovery requests and responses;
• Draft Settlement Agreements and Releases;
• Confer with clients/insureds regarding discovery responses, mediation, depositions, etc.;
• Locate, contact and/or interview parties, witnesses, and experts;
• Communicate with opposing counsel, co-counsel, clients, insureds, expert witnesses, court personnel, and others, to facilitate progress of cases;
• Communicate with vendors regarding copying, preparation of exhibits, imaging, etc.;
• Prepare information to be provided to experts, including pleadings, demographics, and medical records, and maintain a record of the same;
• Review and analysis of large quantities of documents for confidentiality/privilege/work product/relevance prior to production to plaintiffs counsel;
• Maintain deposition errata sheets;
• Prepare medical and event chronologies;
• Summarize depositions;
• Summarize discovery responses from other parties;
• Prepare and update indices of pleadings, discovery, and other file materials;
• Organize, analyze and maintain case file, including documents, discovery, pleadings, medical records, and trial notebooks;
• Perform online research regarding criminal record, driving record, and civil suit histories;
• Perform legal research;
• Cite-check briefs and assist in preparation of supporting exhibits;
• Create databases, code documents, and load deposition transcripts into Eclipse;
• Assist with preparations for hearings/mediations/trials, including preparation of exhibits, power point presentations, notebooks, etc.;
• Maintain attorney deadlines and calendar Any other related tasks that may be assigned by Management or supervising attorneys.