Supreme Court & Appellate Practice Group Paralegal

Build your big career with the Firm that does Big Law better. McDermott Will & Emery is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,400 lawyers and 1,200 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by The American Lawyer, Working Mother Magazine, Vault and the Human Rights Campaign.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You’ll Find

• A Firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for diverse perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental and financial health, with an emphasis on work/life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.
  
  

Position Summary

The Supreme Court & Appellate Practice Group Paralegal provides legal support to the attorneys within the designated practice area. This position works to prepare legal documents and coordinate trial logistics. Including managing discovery, preparing and managing databases, and trial support leading up to trials in Federal court. The Supreme Court & Appellate Practice Group Paralegal will regularly assist on cases that McDermott handles in connection with the Yale Law School, as the co-directors of the practice group direct the Yale Supreme Court Clinic. This role works under general supervision and relies on experience and judgement to accomplish goals.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Review recent judicial decisions to identify cases for review by the U.S. Supreme Court, with an emphasis on civil rights, immigration, and criminal defense work
• Cite check, Bluebook, and proofread all appellate briefs for the Supreme Court and Appellate group
• Assist with cases handled via the Yale Supreme Court Clinic.
• Assist with the preparation and drafting of various legal documents including but not limited to appellate appendices, factual sections of briefs, extension requests, documents shells, transmittal letters, and case summaries for attorney review
• Prepare and drafting motions, collect relevant documents, assemble and proofread exhibits
• File documents with various courts and government agencies including but not limited to the Supreme Court of the United States, various circuits of the United States Court of Appeals, Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), various district and state courts, arbitration and dispute resolution bodies, and government agencies
• Conduct both legal and factual research, including drafting white papers and other reports
• Organize, index and maintain case files
• Maintain the departmental docketing calendar to ensure the timeliness of filings
• Manage discovery, trail support, and preparation and maintenance of databases in preparation for trials in Federal court
  
  

Job Specifications

• At least seven (7) years of experience as a Litigation Paralegal in a mid to large size law firm or corporation, demonstrative of the highest level of substantive knowledge and understanding of the assigned practice area, with a focus in appellate and Supreme Court litigation
• Bachelor’s degree with excellent grades indicative of high academic achievement
• Strong Bluebooking and cite checking skills and intimate working knowledge of the Bluebook
• Strong e-filing experience, utilizing CM/ECF and state court equivalents (NYSCEF, etc.)
• Strong working knowledge of Westlaw and Lexis
• Knowledge of relevant practice area technology, including but not limited to – Relativity, PACER, CM/ECF, Westlaw, Lexis, CaseMap, TextMap, LiveNote, and CompuLaw
• Excellent analytical and organizational abilities, creativity, and initiative
• Excellent analytical and organizational abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff, attorneys, clients, courts, and vendors
• Knowledge of relevant practice area technology and experience with a range of litigation support applications
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word)
• Ability to maintain a high caliber of work under tight deadlines and competing priorities
• Ability to work flexible and/or fluctuating work hours
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
  
  

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds
  
  

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.