Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes.
The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.
Based in our New York or Dallas office, the Senior Paralegal / Litigation Case Manager will serve as a client-facing role responsible for facilitating the smooth progression of cases from inception to resolution, ensuring they are handled efficiently and effectively.
This role reports to the Manager of Paralegal Services.
Responsibilities include :
- Performing all elements of litigation case management, including file management, discovery, and trial activities. Assisting attorneys as needed.
- Overseeing and managing a sizable caseload of complex matters, ensuring all deadlines and milestones are met.
- Implementing case calendaring system to track filings and appropriately distribute information.
- Preparing and maintaining detailed reports and summaries of case activities and developments.
- Serving as point of contact for clients, providing updates on case status and responding to inquiries.
- Utilizing existing systems and procedures and / or establish new procedures to facilitate the organization and retrieval of documents by and for the attorneys on the case team.
- On a case-specific basis, coordinating and overseeing the tasks of more junior paralegals and other support staff as needed on large litigation matters and / or investigations in all phases of litigation from discovery through trial / arbitration.
- Liaising between case team attorneys and support staff as needed to ensure that case-specific paralegal services are meeting the team’s expectations.
- Interacting with outside entities (e.g. courts, government agencies, expert witnesses, corporations, vendors, and other law firms) to gather information or coordinate activities as needed in support of firm activities, specifically trials and arbitrations.
- Leading discovery and witness preparation support efforts.
- Drafting, reviewing, and / or analyzing routine legal documents as requested by attorneys; conducting legal research under attorney supervision.
- Providing formal and / or informal guidance and training to more junior paralegals regarding firm and litigation procedures and best practices.
- Creating and maintaining effective working relationships with others to facilitate a positive and productive work environment.
- Managing relationships with peers in co-counsel or virtual law firm organizations.
- Continuously refining, developing, and expanding skills in anticipation of changes in the work environment or profession.
- Assisting with all aspects, including logistics and travel, of trial and arbitration preparations.
Qualifications
- Experience managing large, complex litigations and / or investigations involving multiple workstreams and multiple related litigations.
- Experience preparing for and attending trials / arbitrations / hearings.
- Experience coordinating trial / arbitration logistics, including negotiating for workspace, setting-up remote office space, and coordinating with vendors.
- Experience developing and maintaining processes to collect, store, and maintain paper and electronic case files.
- Experience with court and administrative agency filings, including electronic or efilings.
- Experience using e-discovery databases (e.g. Relativity, Nuix Discover).
- Experience using litigation support software for managing files and transcripts preferred. (e.g. LiveNote, CaseMap, etc.)
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe, collaboration platforms, document management software and systems (e.
g., Microsoft SharePoint, Google Workspace).
- Proficient with cite-checking and Bluebook rules.
- Must be comfortable and effective in client-facing situations, demonstrating strong communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain professional relationships.
- Significant substantive knowledge of the procedures, terminology and documents relating to litigation matters; high degree of specialization in areas of expertise.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
- Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively. Strong leadership skills to manage and develop a large and geographically dispersed staff.
- Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to both understand the big picture and pay attention to detail.
- Ability to work overtime as needed.
Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree required.
- Minimum 7 years of work experience as a litigation paralegal in an Amlaw 100 firm or a specialized litigation practice firm.
- A certificate from an ABA-approved Paralegal training program shows a commitment to the profession but is not required and does not take the place of case clerk / paralegal work experience.
- PMP certification preferred.