Junior Paralegal - Litigation

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.
 
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,500 lawyers) operating from 20 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

A Junior Paralegal, under the supervision and direction of a Paralegal, helps to manage and organize the materials and information relating to particular matters and cases. These duties allow them the opportunity to work with and assist our legal staff in preparing for depositions, due diligence investigations, document productions, trials and deal closings. The projects typically involve clerical duties and basic file organization tasks, and may require long hours and travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

Provide legal and administrative support to paralegals and attorneys in the Litigation Department.

• Become thoroughly familiar with each assigned active case by understanding the nature of the documents and their relationship to the case in order to be responsive to document requests.
• Understand the litigation process in order to anticipate what types of documents attorneys will need so that documents are prepared ahead of time and requests are filled promptly; facilitate communication between paralegals and attorneys; work directly with paralegals and attorneys in coordinating and executing requests.
• Act as a custodian of any and all documents, media and databases relevant to the active cases.
• Organize, update case files, pleadings and correspondence files.  Assist paralegals and attorneys with deposition witness files, document productions, briefs and other various tasks as they are assigned in preparation for depositions and arbitrations; create many of the witness preparation materials such as deposition preparation binders, direct testimony materials and cross examination materials.
• Adequately compile and organize case materials; and compile relevant documents in databases and network drives to maintain an accessible case file.
• Employ various Firm resources, e.g. Westlaw, Relativity, Compulaw, Sharepoint, and shared network drives.
• Commitment to work overtime as needed, which maybe be heavy at times, and may include weekends or holidays with potential to be for extended periods of time.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• The ideal Junior Paralegal candidate is a college graduate with a strong interest in the legal profession and litigation law with the ability to commit to the position for at least two years.   
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary with the ability to interact professionally with staff, attorneys, paralegals, clients and vendors.
• The successful candidate must be able to work independently as well as with a team, have an acute attention to detail and be able to multi-task and prioritize while working in a high pressure, deadline-driven environment. 
• Overtime availability is a must and a college degree is required.

Technologies/Software

• Strong technical skills are required, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and a Document Management System
• Knowledge of Carpe Diem, Westlaw, Relativity, Compulaw, and Sharepoint is a plus.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

For applicants who are based in New York City, visit the following link for pay range information: http://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/JOBID7519

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-Hybrid #LI-SB1