What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal, Family Law position at Synectics Inc.?
Position Overview
- This position is with the Family Law Department, which assists Delaware and Pennsylvania clients in navigating the financial and emotional issues often arising in family law cases. The department strives to foster a productive and collaborative work environment that also encourages professional growth and a healthy work-life balance. Our team is committed to the firm's brand-Initiative in Practice-which includes the pursuit of excellence, innovation, and the best possible results for our clients.
- Support attorneys to effectively handle family law cases, including but not limited to divorce, child custody, support, adoption and name change cases.
- Supports attorneys whose clients have family law issues.
- Handles day-to-day management of family law cases.
- Reviews, organizes and analyzes cases. Determines next step, resolution strategy and drafts documents.
- Meetings with case assigned attorneys and their clients.
- Drafts the pleadings and documents necessary, including but not limited to letters, complaints, stipulations and proposed orders, summary of support calculations, research memos, emergency petitions, adoption and name change petitions, special relief petitions, motions, hearing notices, subpoenas, premarital and post-nuptial settlement agreements.
- Drafts requests for production of documents and interrogatories. Provides responses to those offered by other parties.
- Reviews client documentation, such as marital estates, and prepares business income and marital estate summaries, inventories, settlement statements and pretrial statements.
- Responsible for obtaining proper service.
- Handles case and attorney preparation for court appearances and exhibit creation.
- Handles calculation, docketing and meeting court deadlines.
- Reviews attorney mail and manages calendar. Client support for vacationing attorneys.
- Scheduling, including but not limited to, hearings, conferences, depositions and settlement conferences.
- Handles significant interaction with clients, opposing counsels and experts via correspondence, telephone, e-mail and in-person meetings.
- Acts as mediator between attorney and client in dealing with legal and emotional aspects of a case.
- Conducts investigations and gathers information and documents relevant to making decisions upon the criteria and evidence that is obtained.
- Files, organizes and maintains client files.
- Conducts legal research in Lexis Nexis and Westlaw Next, Accurint, and other search engines and databases. Uses all available resources including libraries and computer data systems.
- Stays current with legal library materials available for efficient and effective delivery of legal services.
- Communicates with family law department to share information and build a quality family law department .
- Maintains expert family law status regarding state and local rules, statutes and unwritten county procedures.
- Maintains and builds upon client services goals.
- Paralegal certificate or Associates Degree required.
- Bachelor's Degree preferred.
- 5 or more year's paralegal experience supporting mid-size family law practice required with significant legal writing skills and case analysis.
- Computer proficient with working knowledge of MS Outlook, MS Word, iManage, PA guideline support calculations, Lexis, Westlaw, and legal search engines.
- Must have experience in drafting pleadings and documents, and, preparing cases for complex family law litigation.
- Must possess working knowledge of family law, state and county rules and procedures for five counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
- Must exhibit a high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment utilizing excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
- Exhibits a high degree of initiative and critical thinking skills.
- Strong technical skills required.
- Must be excellent project manager and superior communicator.
- Must be able to work independently and be a team player.
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workflow.
- Must be able to work comfortably and confidently with clients.
- Knowledge of legal principles and practices at a high level acquired through formal education, paralegal training and experience.
- Ability to organize and prioritize numerous tasks and complete them under time constraints.
- Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Must be diplomatic and clear in providing information to a diverse group of attorneys, staff, clients and legal professionals.
- Must possess a positive attitude.
- Must maintain acceptable attendance record.
- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with firm contributions
- Opportunities for professional development and continuing legal education
- Supportive and inclusive work environment that collaboration
