Litigation Legal Assistant - Employment Law

We are a mid-sized Chicago firm looking for an employment law litigation hybrid legal assistant/paralegal. The paralegal will work with two partners and one or two associates. Hoping to find someone poised, professional, and polished.

• The ideal candidate will have the hybrid qualities of a legal assistant/paralegal with experience in employment law. State and federal court litigation experience with pleading forms, basic court rules, filing/e-filing, court reporters, service and scheduling are a must. Experience should include preparation and filing of documents electronically in the federal system and Illinois state court filing, serving subpoenas, plus an understanding of court rules re: courtesy copies, judge’s standing orders, etc. Candidates should know basic litigation practices such as how to prepare a shell form for general pleadings including answers, responses to document requests or interrogatories and motions.
• Candidate will need experience in handling deposition, court reporter scheduling and other administrative type tasks. Excellent word processing and communication skills required are a must.
• GCT is a fast-paced environment that may require juggling of assignments and working with contending assignors to put work in proper priority, etc. Individual should be committed to client service, comfortable trying new things, flexible, not shy about suggesting ways to improve what we do and be a self-starter who looks for things that need to be done instead of waiting to be asked.
• Proofread, compare, format, convert and revise documents and agreements, dictate time, prepare and send billing invoices and letters, prepare and send attorney correspondence, filing
• Candidate should be used to (and like) going the extra mile. In addition, the candidate must see all others in our office as his or her clients and provide great service to them, regardless of their titles or years of experience.

The assistant is expected to bill 10 – 25 hours per month or more.
Billable Work performed by Litigation Legal Assistant/Paralegal:

• Draft summonses, motions, orders, discovery, shells, attorney fee petitions, demand letters, litigation hold letters, citations, garnishments, subpoenas, affidavits, etc.
• Finalize and compile exhibits and prepare pleadings in state, federal, and appellate courts
• Prepare Notices of Service of summons, filings, and discovery
• Communicate with judges’ chambers, court clerks, sheriffs’ offices, federal and state agencies, and process servers re filing complaints, serving summons, following up on service, and setting up motions, etc.
• Check on judge’s room assignments and standing orders for current courtroom procedure
• Prepare and send discovery and document productions
• Create and populate Sharefile links for collection and transmittal of large or sensitive files
• Client contact regarding cases (dependent on practice group)
• Review and monitor CCC Portal for status/progression of cases and obtain Court Orders
• Draft service requests to out-of-state Sheriffs’ Offices/Civil Departments

Specific to Employment Law Practice
o Draft various EEOC/IDHR charges and responses
o Draft various interrogatories and document requests
o Communicate with wage claim and IDHR specialists
o Prepare and deliver HIPAA authorizations and subpoenas

Non-Billable work performed by Litigation Legal Assistant/Paralegal:

• Proofread, compare, format, convert and revise documents and agreements
• Incorporate attorney edits and properly format into letters, pleadings, and discovery
• Work closely with the docket clerk to check on judge’s room assignments, service on summonses, citations and standing orders
• Ensure delivery of courtesy copies to court – working closely with docket
• Order pleadings, transcripts and orders from the court – working closely with docket
• Monitor/amend service lists for court filings
• Create attorneys working files for litigation cases
• Transcribe, enter, and post time for the attorneys
• Draft, prepare, finalize, and send billing invoices and letters to clients
• Draft, prepare, and send attorney and client correspondence
• Draft, prepare, and send out engagement letters
• Draft and send Certificate of Mailings to involved parties after entry of Court Orders
• Prepare new client and matter forms
• Create excel spreadsheets and tables
• Enroll attorneys for conferences and seminars
• Book conference rooms for attorneys
• Enter clients/visitors into the Visible Visitors security system
• Act as a witness and/or notary with Estate Planning documents
• Handle lunch reservations for your attorneys
• Handle Partners holiday gift giving for clients
• Prepare expense reports
• Filing

Specific to Employment Practice
o File various documents with the IDHR, IDOL, and EEOC