Description

Senior Appellate Paralegal

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell (WTO) was established in 1998 and currently numbers more than 100 lawyers. The firm represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes civil trials, appeals, and related litigation ranging from complex commercial to class actions to catastrophic torts. WTO lawyers have taken more than 1,100 trials and arbitrations to verdict or award and hundreds of appeals to opinion in 45 states and Washington D.C., with exceptional results for our clients

Summary/Objective:

This position will have a dual responsibility of supporting their Appellate Division as well as managing cases from inception through trial. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a combination of technical and case management skills, along with solid experience in preparing appellate filings. Knowledge and familiarity with the rules and internal operating procedures within: State Courts; Federal Courts; and The United States Supreme Court is critical, along with a love of the Bluebook and brief cite checking.

Responsibilities

• Efficiently handle extensive document volumes and offer procedural support and document preparation throughout the appeals process at all levels.
• Develop, maintain, and refine processes for appellate filings to integrate materials into standard firm systems.
• Develop, maintain, and refine processes for the initial review of incoming cases to integrate materials into standard firm systems.
• Analyze, review, and organize documents and data from materials produced during discovery; prepare/coordinate document production and responses to discovery requests.
• Prepare cases for trial and attend as necessary.
• Review appellate briefs to ensure compliance with Court rules and work closely with case attorneys to ensure successful filings.
• Provide additional litigation and case management support to prepare matters from initiation through trial.
• Collaborate with attorneys to develop and implement litigation strategies for appellate cases and exercise strong communication & analytical skills.
• Monitor case dockets and deadlines, ensuring compliance with court rules and regulations.
• Conduct legal research on case-related issues.
• Maintain organized case files, including electronic and paper documents.
• Support attorneys in preparing for oral arguments and appellate court appearances.
• Stay current with changes in relevant laws and regulations.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities, that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required or a combination of education, certifications, and demonstrable work experience.
• 5 years of experience in litigation and appellate work, organizing, preparing, and managing Appellate Cases for all levels of the Appellate System.
• Proficiency in legal research tools, including Westlaw.
• Proficiency in locating and interpreting court rules to guide the team on filing and a true love and reliance on Blue Book for cite-checking briefs.

Competencies

The following are the competencies required to be successful in this position:

• Critical Thinker - The ability to gather relevant information, interpret and evaluate the data, and make informed decisions. Develop sound, practical solutions and make timely decisions; provide creative solutions to difficult issues.
• Effective Communicator (Written and Oral) - The ability to communicate clearly and coherently, interpreting information and adapting communication to suit particular situations and audience needs.
• Strong Interpersonal Skills - The ability to develop and maintain relationships with others, and to work with others toward a common goal by working cooperatively, developing positive relationships, and providing information and assistance willingly.
• Detail-Oriented - The ability to develop and apply comprehensive planning and organizing strategies to ensure projects are appropriately prioritized and resources are used effectively and efficiently.
• Proactive - The ability to see opportunities to make improvements and independently choose strategies to achieve them; envisions new and innovative possibilities and acts on them independently to achieve benefits. Ability to anticipate work needs and follow-up on own initiative. Ability to accomplish responsibilities with minimum supervision and in a timely manner while communicating consistently and appropriately with the supervisor regarding projects being handled, problems incurred and recommended solutions.
• Manages Change - The ability to change directions quickly as workflow needs change, and to respond with flexibility to a changing work environment.
• Technical Skills/Learning - The ability to quickly learn and integrate new technical skills and knowledge; seeks out avenues to enhance technical skills.

Language Skills

• Must have good communications skills (i.e., communicate clearly and effectively in both written and spoken English)

Reasoning Skills

• Ability to interpret and to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Uses the utmost discretion regarding sensitive company and employee information.
• Must be able to coordinate resources and responsibilities and be able to get along well with others
• Must be able to develop a strong rapport with various department staff earning trust and respect

Work Environment

The team atmosphere is fostered not only by the lawyers, but by all members of the support staff. Our firm’s employees are proud of collaborating to service firm clients. Our commitment to teamwork allows us to tap multiple fields of experience from our range of practice areas, ensuring our ability to meet each client’s individual needs. Our team approach enables us to analyze a situation from several points of view until we uncover the advantage that makes the difference for our client.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including lunch hour. This is a full-time exempt position working from our Denver office.

Travel

Travel is limited and primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be needed to attend conferences or other professional functions.

Salary Range: $74,000 - $107,000 annually. The final salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Additionally, the firm provides standard benefits including health insurance, 401(k) contribution, and paid time off, with annual bonus potential based on firm performance.

An Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the firm to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our firm. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Qualifications