Asbestos Defense Litigation Paralegal

Join a leading organization in a critical industry, partnering with Aquent to find exceptional talent. This company is at the forefront of managing complex legal challenges, ensuring robust defense and meticulous adherence to legal standards. As a vital member of their legal team, you will have a direct and significant impact on protecting the company's interests and shaping the outcomes of high-stakes litigation. Your expertise will empower attorneys, streamline critical processes, and contribute to the successful resolution of complex cases, making a tangible difference every day.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and dedicated Paralegal to join our dynamic legal team. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to dive deep into intricate legal matters, providing comprehensive litigation support that is essential to our defense strategies. You will be instrumental in managing the full lifecycle of complex litigation, from initial discovery to trial preparation, directly contributing to the successful navigation of challenging legal landscapes. Your ability to meticulously manage details, draft compelling legal documents, and coordinate critical processes will be key to our collective success and the protection of our organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys with the preparation and management of pending defense litigation matters.
• Draft, review, and prepare pleadings, discovery responses, discovery demands, motions, and other litigation-related legal documents.
• Prepare and draft good-faith letters and related correspondence concerning outstanding discovery, deficiencies, and efforts to resolve discovery issues.
• Review legal documents for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with applicable procedural requirements.
• Manage extensive document collection, review, organization, and production in response to discovery requests.
• Draft and coordinate responses to discovery demands.
• Process and manage authorizations, including reviewing documentation, tracking outstanding items, and coordinating follow-up as needed.
• Analyze documents, organize supporting materials, and catalog exhibits for litigation use.
• Coordinate with attorneys and internal business units to obtain records and information responsive to discovery requests.
• Track outstanding discovery items and help ensure complete, accurate, and timely responses.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date electronic and physical case files.
• Monitor case status, litigation activity, and key deadlines across assigned matters.
• Review and apply relevant civil practice laws and other applicable court and procedural rules relating to deadlines, filings, and submission requirements.
• Calendar and monitor court deadlines, discovery obligations, and other critical dates to support timely case progression.
• Initiate and maintain legal holds through designated software and coordinate with relevant personnel to support preservation of potentially relevant documents and information.
• Escalate missing information, approaching deadlines, and potential procedural issues to the appropriate attorney.
• Maintain electronic document repositories and use document review and litigation support platforms to organize and retrieve case materials.
• Prepare and submit court filings through applicable electronic filing systems.
• Ensure documents are properly organized, named, and maintained in accordance with established case management procedures.
• Coordinate with attorneys and internal stakeholders to support efficient case preparation and ongoing litigation activities.
• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting defense litigation matters, specifically within complex liability cases.
• Strong background in New York insurance defense litigation and familiarity with New York civil litigation practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience drafting discovery responses, discovery demands, pleadings, motions, and other litigation documents.
• Experience preparing good-faith letters and correspondence related to discovery disputes or outstanding discovery obligations.
• Strong understanding of discovery processes, document production, case management, and litigation deadlines.
• Working knowledge of the New York CPLR and applicable court rules, including calendaring and filing requirements.
• Proficiency with NYSCEF (New York State Courts Electronic Filing System).
• Experience with PACER and other electronic court filing platforms.
• Proficiency in litigation support/document management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and professional legal correspondence and documentation.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, internal business partners, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Legal hold software experience.
• Electronic document review and repository platforms.
• Legal research and cite-checking experience.
• Extensive experience processing litigation-related authorizations.
• Experience with NYSCEF and PACER electronic filing systems.
• Experience conducting legal research and cite-checking briefs and other legal submissions.

Education

Paralegal Certificate and/or Associate's/Bachelor's Degree preferred; equivalent litigation paralegal experience considered.