Personal Injury Litigation Paralegal
Job description
About the role
You will own the strategic orchestration of personal injury cases from litigation inception through resolution. You take ownership of every procedural detail ensuring no deadline is missed and no client need is overlooked. You own the responsibility of mentoring new team members and elevating the entire office standard of excellence. You take pride in transforming complex legal documents into clear, compelling narratives for juries and clients. You own the client communication process ensuring every interaction is handled with empathy and professionalism. You take accountability for the accurate and timely completion of all litigation support tasks. You own the mission of fighting for maximum compensation for clients who have suffered wrongful harm. You take the initiative to identify process improvements that enhance team efficiency and client satisfaction.
Key facts
What you'll do
Draft and file complaints within 30 days of case being transferred to LIT 00.
Send out service of process within 15 days of filing complaint.
Accomplish service of process within 30 days of sending out service.
Ensure that a scheduling conference has been requested within 30 days of all defendants filing an answer to the complaint (unless the case is valued at more than $100K and attorney has chosen not to request yet).
Ensure that scheduling hearings are set within two months of the request.
Calendar all scheduling order items within 5 days of receipt of the scheduling order.
Schedule mediations within 60 days of moving a case to LDD (Litigation, Discovery, Depositions).
Attend weekly firm-wide huddle every Monday morning at 8:00.
Attend daily team mini huddle Tuesday through Thursday at 8:00 am.
Attend weekly calendar meetings on Fridays at 8:00 am.
Requirements
5+ years of personal injury litigation paralegal experience - active litigation stage experience required; pre-litigation backgrounds will not be considered.
Strong working knowledge of state, local, and federal court rules.
Experience with e-filing, legal documentation, and litigation management software.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Highly organized with strong time-management instincts.
Genuine empathy for injured clients and a client-first mindset.
Professional demeanor with the confidence to exceed expectations.
A collaborative spirit and desire to mentor and motivate teammates.
Ability to work on-site during business hours (Mon-Thu 8-5, Fri 8-4).
Ability to pass a background check.
A track record of long-term success and growth in previous roles is a strong plus.
Nice to have
A collaborative spirit and desire to mentor and motivate teammates.
Practical notes
Attendance is required during standard business hours Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Candidates must be able to pass a standard background check as a condition of employment.
The firm hosts an annual company goal trip where the team celebrates collective achievements.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Attend Transition to Litigation meetings with client and Case Manager.
Speak to adjusters, defense attorneys, others involved in litigation.
Update client with copies of relevant file materials.
Work with legal assistant to e-file and e-serve court pleadings.
Be familiar with state, local and federal rules for every jurisdiction in we practice in.
Post all costs including expected costs that we have not been invoiced for (mediation, depositions, expert fees, etc.).
Draft and serve subpoenas.
Compose discovery requests, answers / responses.
Creating and maintaining a discovery index identifying production of all parties, by bates stamp numbers.
Review defendant discovery responses/Defendant deposition transcripts for follow up discovery.
Update case analysis within case management software to reflect all updates.
Maintain files and records in compliance with legal, company, and regulatory standards.
Prepare correspondence and other documents as needed by the team and the attorneys.
Provide telephonic client updates every 6 weeks and have 10 or less outstanding updates at any given time.
Ensure overdue tasks never exceed 50.
Assist in the intake and review of new potential clients.
Participate in biweekly meeting with Team Lead to go over individual metrics and goals.
Attend weekly firm-wide huddle every Monday morning at 8:00.
Attend daily team mini huddle Tuesday through Thursday at 8:00 am.
Attend weekly calendar meetings on Fridays at 8:00 am.
Have status comments entered before weekly meeting of Operations Manager and Leads.
Ensure that scheduling conferences have been requested within 30 days of all defendants filing an answer to the complaint (unless the case is valued at more than $100K and attorney has chosen not to request yet).
Ensure that scheduling hearings are set within two months of the request.
Calendar all scheduling order items within 5 days of receipt of the scheduling order.
Provide input on litigation strategy during case team discussions.
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all client information and case details.
Support the overall goals of the Personal Injury Department.
Handle high volumes of documents with attention to detail and accuracy.
Communicate proactively with the legal team regarding case status changes or potential issues.
Assist in the preparation of exhibits for settlement negotiations and trial.
Monitor docket deadlines and report any conflicts or concerns immediately.
Collaborate with investigators and experts to gather necessary documentation.
Maintain a thorough understanding of personal injury laws in New Mexico.
Ensure all billing entries are accurate and support the invoicing process.
Support the intake process with high levels of professionalism and care.
Maintain a clean and organized workspace to promote efficiency.
Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
Demonstrate adaptability in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Use litigation management software to track case progress and deadlines.
Provide backup support to other team members as needed.
Ensure compliance with all court filing requirements.
Maintain positive relationships with clients to ensure satisfaction and trust.
Assist in the resolution of open cases in a timely manner.
Support the mission and values of Parnall Law Firm in all interactions.
Contribute to a positive team dynamic and collaborative work environment.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.