Paralegal, Appellate Litigation

Washington, DC

Summary

A premier, global law firm seeks a Paralegal for its Appellate Litigation practice in the Washington, D.C. office. The Paralegal plays a critical role supporting attorneys in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, with special emphasis on Supreme Court and appellate practice, through all phases of complex commercial litigation, including large-scale discovery, advanced motions practice, trial preparation, and appellate proceedings. This position requires mastery in managing voluminous case files, overseeing substantial document productions, coordinating eDiscovery workflows, and ensuring flawless filings in state and federal courts.

Serving as a senior liaison among attorneys, court personnel, eDiscovery vendors, clients, and expert witnesses, the Paralegal ensures procedural accuracy, strategic organization, and strict compliance with deadlines. The ideal candidate brings extensive litigation experience, strong leadership capabilities, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Document Production and File Maintenance

Oversee preparation of complex document productions, including Bates stamping, redaction, indexing, privilege review coordination, and quality control

Develop and maintain sophisticated organizational systems that support multi-year, multi-party litigation

Train junior paralegals on production protocols and file management best practices

Discovery and eDiscovery Support

Lead collection, processing, review, and production of discovery materials

Serve as point of contact for eDiscovery vendors, managing workflows and troubleshooting issues with assistance from the internal eDiscovery department

Draft and coordinate discovery responses, privilege logs, and production schedules; ensure compliance with discovery obligations and court orders

Motions, Hearings, and Trial Preparation

Manage preparation of exhibits, appendices, and supporting materials for complex motions and briefs

Oversee deposition preparation, including witness kits, exhibit management, and transcript coordination

Lead trial preparation efforts, including trial binders, demonstratives, and witness logistics

Provide real-time support during depositions and hearings

Draft and prepare shell documents such as initial drafts of memoranda, briefs, pleadings, motions, and discovery requests and responses

Court Filings and Document Management

Prepare, review, and file pleadings in state and federal courts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local rules

Oversee docketing of deadlines, hearings, and procedural requirements; ensure attorneys are informed of all critical dates

Appeals Support

Manage assembly of records on appeal, preparation of appendices, and coordination of appellate filings

Ensure compliance with appellate rules, formatting requirements, and jurisdiction-specific procedures

Proofread, edit, and cite-check fact and legal citations in appellate and Supreme Court memoranda, including joint appendices; prepare page-proof and final versions of briefs

Research and Administrative Support

Conduct advanced factual and legal research using Westlaw, Lexis, PACER, and other resources

Communicate professionally with court clerks, clients, vendors, and opposing counsel on procedural and logistical matters

Contribute to process improvements, workflow efficiencies, and best practice development within the litigation paralegal team

Qualifications

5–7+ years of litigation paralegal experience in a law firm

Deep knowledge of discovery processes, eDiscovery platforms, document review workflows, and litigation lifecycle management

Proven ability to manage complex, multi-party cases with minimal supervision

Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills

Proficiency with eDiscovery tools, Westlaw/Lexis, PACER, Microsoft Office, and litigation databases such as Relativity and Opus2

Ability to lead junior staff, manage competing deadlines, and support multiple litigation teams simultaneously

Bachelor’s degree required; Paralegal Certificate preferred

Performance Traits

Exceptional Attention to Detail: Produces precise, error-free work product; identifies procedural or substantive issues before they escalate

Strong Litigation Judgment: Understands complex litigation strategy, anticipates next steps, and prioritizes tasks based on case posture and court deadlines

Proactive Problem-Solving: Independently resolves issues by providing solutions and recommendations to attorneys

High Level of Organization: Manages multiple large-scale cases while maintaining structured files, accurate calendars, and comprehensive documentation

Effective Communication Skills: Communicates clearly and professionally with attorneys, clients, court personnel, vendors, and expert witnesses

Ownership and Accountability: Takes full responsibility for deliverables, deadlines, and quality of work

Adaptability and Composure: Performs effectively under pressure and adjusts to shifting priorities and high-volume discovery periods

Collaboration: Contributes to a positive and efficient team environment

Confidentiality and Professional Integrity: Handles sensitive information with discretion and adheres to firm policies and ethical standards

Resourcefulness and Initiative: Anticipates needs, identifies process improvements, and takes initiative without waiting for direction

Strong Research Skills: Efficiently uses legal research tools and public records databases

Commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement: Continuously refines litigation skills, stays current on court rules and best practices, and consistently enhances work product quality

Compensation: $121,000.00-$161,000.00, plus overtime and bonus