Employment Litigation Paralegal

Description & Requirements

Baker McKenzie seeks an Employment Litigation Paralegal for its Employment & Compensation Practice Group to reside in San Francisco. Working closely with partners, associates and professional staff, the paralegal will support employment litigation matters through all stages, including discovery, depositions, motion practice, hearings, mediations and trial preparation. The successful candidate will have strong litigation experience, sound judgment and the ability to anticipate case needs, manage competing deadlines and coordinate effectively with attorneys, clients, witnesses, courts and internal Firm resources.

Main Responsibilities

- Provide substantive paralegal support for employment litigation matters in federal and state courts.
- Assist with document productions, written discovery and discovery responses.
- Support depositions, hearings, mediations and trials by preparing exhibits, binders, subpoenas, transcripts and other case materials.
- Draft document shells, administrative filings, declarations, correspondence and other litigation materials under attorney supervision.
- Review and finalize briefs and other legal documents, including proofreading, cite-checking, quotation-checking and confirming citations to the record.
- Research federal and state court rules, local rules, standing orders, judge-specific procedures and filing requirements.
- Conduct legal and procedural research using Lexis, Westlaw and other legal research platforms.
- Identify relevant precedents and exemplars for attorney review.
- Prepare and coordinate electronic filings in federal and state courts.
- Monitor litigation deadlines, court calendars and case developments, and coordinate with Docketing to ensure that deadlines and events are accurately recorded.
- Maintain organized electronic case files, working folders, matter binders and litigation materials.
- Coordinate document productions, case logistics and communications with attorneys, clients, witnesses, courts, government agencies and external counsel.
- Receive and route time-sensitive notices, claims, charges and court communications, identifying relevant deadlines and required follow-up.
- Proactively anticipate upcoming matter needs and alert attorneys to procedural requirements, deadlines and case developments.
- Record billable and nonbillable time accurately and contemporaneously in accordance with Firm requirements.
- Protect confidential, privileged and sensitive client and Firm information.

Skills and Experience

Essential Criteria

- Significant experience as a litigation paralegal, preferably supporting employment, commercial or other complex litigation.
- Knowledge of federal and state litigation procedures and electronic filing systems.
- Experience supporting discovery, document productions, depositions, motions, hearings, mediations and trial preparation.
- Experience conducting legal and procedural research using Lexis, Westlaw or comparable platforms.
- Experience proofreading and cite-checking briefs and other legal documents.
- Strong case-management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple matters and competing deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High level of accuracy, attention to detail and professional judgment.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative and collaborate effectively with attorneys and professional staff.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal document-management systems.

Desirable Criteria

- Experience supporting employment litigation matters.
- Familiarity with CourtLink or comparable court-monitoring services.
- Experience using iManage or a comparable legal document-management system.
- Experience supporting litigation teams across multiple offices or jurisdictions.
- Paralegal certificate or other relevant legal education or qualification.

Personal Qualities

- Proactive, organized and dependable.
- Able to anticipate needs and take ownership of assignments.
- Careful and accurate, with strong attention to detail.
- Responsive and composed under pressure.
- Professional and collaborative in interactions with attorneys, clients, witnesses, courts and colleagues.
- Committed to confidentiality, client service and high-quality work.

Baker McKenzie empowers clients to compete in the global economy. We provide comprehensive and practical legal advice that cuts through complexity with clear, actionable guidance. Our people represent diverse cultures and jurisdictions, combining local know-how with international expertise to ensure your business thrives across borders .

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. Should candidates require any reasonable adjustments and/or accommodations when applying to or interviewing with our Firm, please notify [email protected]

Pay Transparency

- Subject to eligibility requirements, the Firm offers a comprehensive benefits package, including bonus opportunities, medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings plans, time off and leave programs, and wellness benefits. Benefits are subject to applicable plan terms and Firm policies.
- The US base compensation for this position is expected to be $70,350 to $98569 (annually) if located in an office in the state of California. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
- California notice: Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates.