What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal position at Ogletree Deakins?
Position Summary
Our Birmingham, AL office has the opportunity for an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join the Firm’s expanding practice. The position serves as an integral member of the team on matters assigned. Serves in a substantive role in all areas of a matter, from inception to conclusion, without dependence on discrete tasks assigned within the matter. Generally, manages assigned litigation or administrative matters for firm clients, from inception to conclusion. Manages the flow of facts, data, and documents provided by clients to include an understanding of how the facts relate to the theories and defenses in a litigation matter. Active participation in the development of the defense of a client in a litigation or administrative matter. Independently investigates and analyzes facts, theories, and applicable law to substantively contribute to and revise legal documents, such as briefs, pleadings, appeals for review, approval, for use by attorney. On occasion, may manage work assignments for multiple paralegals and/or is a key client contact. Paralegals in this office are not assigned to a specific attorney, but have the opportunity to work with any attorney in the office thereby enabling the paralegal to experience a cross-section and variety of assigned matters.
Essential Functions
Benefits
Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our Staff including: Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, a 401(k) matching program, Profit Sharing, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, affordable Health and Life Insurance including Dental & Vision coverage, Health Savings Account /Flexible Spending Accounts to help offset the cost of dependent care and/or health care expenses, Tuition Reimbursement and an Employee Assistance Program.
Firm Overview
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.
We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
Our Birmingham, AL office has the opportunity for an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join the Firm’s expanding practice. The position serves as an integral member of the team on matters assigned. Serves in a substantive role in all areas of a matter, from inception to conclusion, without dependence on discrete tasks assigned within the matter. Generally, manages assigned litigation or administrative matters for firm clients, from inception to conclusion. Manages the flow of facts, data, and documents provided by clients to include an understanding of how the facts relate to the theories and defenses in a litigation matter. Active participation in the development of the defense of a client in a litigation or administrative matter. Independently investigates and analyzes facts, theories, and applicable law to substantively contribute to and revise legal documents, such as briefs, pleadings, appeals for review, approval, for use by attorney. On occasion, may manage work assignments for multiple paralegals and/or is a key client contact. Paralegals in this office are not assigned to a specific attorney, but have the opportunity to work with any attorney in the office thereby enabling the paralegal to experience a cross-section and variety of assigned matters.
Essential Functions
- Researches law, investigates facts, and independently prepares documents to assist attorneys with matters
- Summarizes complex legal documents
- Organizes and indexes case files
- Determines and calendars deadlines
- Performs wide variety of legal research and data compilation with little or no supervision
- Files pleadings with court clerk
- Prepares reports, correspondence, declarations and complaints
- Drafts a variety of legal documents
- Prepares affidavits or documents and maintains document file
- Prepares for mediations and trials
- Assists Attorneys at trial
- Assists Attorney in preparation for depositions
- Communicates with witnesses and experts
- Scheduling
- Enters billing and expense data into Firm system in a timely manner
- Paralegal certification / degree from accredited college or university.
- 6 years of paralegal experience, preferably working in a labor/employment litigation practice.
- Proficient in all Microsoft applications, including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SmartSheet; Lexis-Nexis and WestLaw, Case Map Cloud, Trial Director 360, Relativity eDiscovery platform, Document Management System, expense and billing systems, and other firm programs.
- Able to operate multi-line phone, calculator, smart phone, copier, fax, scanner.
- Analytical – Able to mine and collect data for cases.
- Problem Solving Skills – gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Uses experience and judgment to accomplish tasks.
- Initiative and Judgement – Takes independent actions and reasonable risks; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- Interpersonal Skills – focuses on case/task at hand. Maintains confidentiality.
- Communication – Listens and gets clarification. Responds to inquiries quickly with professionalism and tact. Writes clearly and informatively. Edits work for errors. Able to read and interpret information accurately and concisely.
- Organization skills - keep work area neat and clear of safety hazards, electronic evidence files are maintained neatly and are easily retrieved. Ability to organize, manage, prioritize, and handle numerous projects/tasks, sometimes heavy caseloads. Detail oriented.
- Teamwork – Willing and eager to help others and share knowledge and skills.
- Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.
- Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction. Willing to commit to additional hours when necessary to reach Firm objectives.
- Knowledge - In-depth knowledge of legal terminology and principles.
- Training and mentoring of new paralegals.
- Assumes leadership role with other paralegals to accomplish goals.
Benefits
Ogletree Deakins offers a robust suite of benefits for our Staff including: Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, a 401(k) matching program, Profit Sharing, Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Leave, affordable Health and Life Insurance including Dental & Vision coverage, Health Savings Account /Flexible Spending Accounts to help offset the cost of dependent care and/or health care expenses, Tuition Reimbursement and an Employee Assistance Program.
Firm Overview
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.
We are fully committed to the importance of diversity within the legal profession, as well as all workplace environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer.