What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal - Commercial Litigation position at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP?
This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Paralegal – Commercial Litigation to join our team in our Washington D.C. office.
We offer a hybrid work engagement with two days of remote work, and three days in-office.
This position supports the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group, providing advanced litigation support for significant, high-stakes commercial disputes and other complex litigation matters. Responsibilities encompass all phases of litigation, including managing discovery, maintaining litigation databases, preparing materials for hearings and trials, and coordinating trial logistics. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of the litigation process, strong organizational and analytical abilities, and proficiency in litigation support technology. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with excellent interpersonal communication skills and a commitment to providing exceptional client service in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.
On a typical day you will:
Case Management
- Serve as the central point of communication for litigation teams, ensuring seamless coordination and information sharing across all matter and case-related tasks.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date calendar systems in collaboration with secretaries and docketing personnel to track important deadlines, court dates, and deliverables.
- Oversee the creation, indexing, and ongoing maintenance of complex case files and document collections using modern document management systems and platforms.
- Assist with the preparation, review, and proofreading of legal documents, filings, and agreements for accuracy, compliance, and alignment with jurisdictional standards. This includes proofreading legal memoranda for typographical and grammatical accuracy and verifying citations to legal authorities and evidence in compliance with The Bluebook and/or other court-specific requirements.
- Coordinate and manage court filings and submissions, including electronic submissions, ensuring compliance with jurisdictional processes and requirements.
Research & Discovery
- Conduct advanced fact research and analysis using online databases, public agencies, courts, and other sources; prepare detailed memoranda summarizing findings.
- Manage specialized document collections, including witness files, subject/issue files, and expert reliance documents.
- Draft initial versions of discovery requests (interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission), responses, pleadings, and memoranda.
- Assist with document collection and tracking, ensuring proper handling of electronically stored information (ESI) in collaboration with Practice Support and eDiscovery Project Managers, and outside service provider support teams.
- Conduct interviews with witnesses and custodians to gather relevant information.
- Coordinate with internal resources and outside service providers (as needed) for document production and review; perform quality control assessments of service provider work.
- Execute complex database searches to retrieve relevant documents over the course of a matter to identify case-relevant materials, deposition exhibit preparation, and other case evidentiary needs.
- Draft privilege logs and perform initial document reviews to identify responsiveness, relevance, and privilege. Ensure appropriate handling and redaction of sensitive or confidential information.
- Summarize deposition transcripts and manage/track depositions.
Preparation for and Assistance at Trial or Other Proceedings
- Assist with all-phases of mediation, arbitration, regulatory board hearings, or trial proceedings, including preparation of exhibit and witness lists, deposition designations, witness preparation, and trial briefs.
- Coordinate logistics with hearing and/or court personnel, opposing counsel, experts, and necessary trial support vendors.
- Familiarity with hearing board and/or courtroom technology and presentation tools, helping to ensure seamless integration with courtroom personnel and other counsel.
- Provide on-site trial or hearing support, including managing trial exhibits, coordinating witnesses, assisting with direct and cross-examination materials and other pertinent trial presentation materials, and summarizing trial testimony.
- Supervise junior paralegals and document clerks during trial preparation and proceedings.
Administrative Tasks
- Record billable time and tasks in compliance with firm policies and client billing protocols; ensure timely submission of time entries.
- Submit accurate records of hours worked in accordance with firm deadlines.
- Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality, adhering to schedules for breaks, lunches, and meetings.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Join us if you have:
- 5 years of paralegal experience with management of large-scale discovery processes, document review, and trial logistics strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree and/or completion of paralegal program of study preferred, or clear demonstration of equivalent knowledge and skill, including:
- Exceptional time and task management abilities.
- Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills at a post-college level.
- Advanced proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) for drafting and editing complex documents, spreadsheets, and communications.
- Proficiency in the use of legal research (Westlaw, LexisNexis) and document retention databases (iManage, NetDocuments), and other legal research platforms to conduct legal and fact research for the effective management of complex evidence and case files.
- Familiarity in the use of trial support software (Trial Director, OnCue).
- Proficiency in the use of eDiscovery document review platforms, specifically Relativity.
- Availability for overtime as needed to meet deadlines and support trial schedules.
Who We Are
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 10 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment. At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client’s and each lawyer’s work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.
What’s in it For You?
DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:
- Choice of health and vision insurance plans
- 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
- Dental plan
- Fertility and adoption benefit
- Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
- Tuition reimbursement
- Commuter benefits
- Retirement contribution
This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.
District of Columbia
The annualized salary range for this position in Washington D.C. is $84,000 to $138,000 ($43.08 to $70.77 hourly). Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. Full time employees may be eligible for a bonus, health insurance with an optional HSA, short term disability, long term disability, dental insurance, vision care, telemedicine and virtual short term solution based counseling services, life insurance, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, subsidized backup care and caregiving resources, 401(k), vacation, sick time, and an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary programs include: voluntary accident insurance, voluntary life, voluntary disability, voluntary long term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and Transit programs are also available.
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP fosters a culture where all talented individuals—including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession—can have, and can see, paths to success. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion sits on four pillars: Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. Learn more about the firm’s commitment to DEI here:www.dwt.com/dei.
Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email humanresources_confidential@dwt.com.
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