Bilingual Paralegal - Personal Injury

$56,160 - $56,160/Yr

AppleOne - Novato, CA

Full-time

Novato, CA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Bilingual Paralegal position at AppleOne is a critical role responsible for managing an assigned caseload of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases. This position requires the paralegal to perform various tasks from pretrial through trial and case resolution under the supervision and direction of Partners, Attorneys, Managers, and Supervisors. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills in both English and Spanish, as well as a keen attention to detail and the ability to handle a high volume of work effectively. In this role, the paralegal will manage cases from intake through trial and resolution across various jurisdictions. This includes discussing fee contracts and case procedures with clients to ensure they fully understand the process. The paralegal will conduct phone interviews with clients, producing clear and concise written notes, and will be responsible for tracking and meeting all deadlines, both internally and according to the Code of Civil Procedure and court deadlines. The position also involves ordering and subpoenaing necessary records, including medical and billing records, and preparing and reviewing various legal documents such as pleadings and case management statements. The paralegal will perform electronic service and filing of documents, coordinate depositions, and prepare cases for Trial Setting Conferences and Case Management Conferences. Additionally, the paralegal will conduct in-depth file reviews, ensure trial readiness, and prepare necessary documents and items for trial, including witness disclosures and exhibit lists. Effective communication is essential, as the paralegal will interact regularly with attorneys, clients, and court personnel. The role also requires research and gathering of information on clients and decedents, maintaining sensitivity to health and family situations, and making autopsy arrangements as needed. The paralegal will utilize standard office tools and software proficiently and perform additional duties as assigned to gain experience and develop skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases from intake through trial and resolution in various jurisdictions.
• Discuss fee contracts and case procedures with clients, ensuring they understand the process.
• Conduct phone interviews with clients, producing clear and concise written notes.
• Track and meet all deadlines, both internally and according to the Code of Civil Procedure and court deadlines.
• Order and subpoena necessary records and items, including medical records, billing records, economic loss records, pathology, films, and employment records.
• Prepare and review various legal documents, including letters, pleadings, and work closely with case attorneys on documents and case issues.
• Perform electronic service (eservice) and electronic filing (efiling) of documents.
• Coordinate with the Deposition Coordinator to set depositions.
• Prepare cases for Trial Setting Conferences, Case Management Conferences, and preference motions.
• Conduct in-depth file reviews, follow up on partner, manager, or supervisor directives, and ensure trial readiness of cases.
• Prepare documents, records, and items needed for trial, including witness/expert disclosures, witness and exhibit lists, trial exhibits, and equipment.
• Prepare plaintiffs, experts, and clients for deposition and trial testimony.
• Perform Order to Show Cause (OSC) reviews and ensure compliance with court orders.
• Maintain and update the internal case management system to reflect current case status.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, with all parties involved.
• Research and gather information on clients and decedents, maintaining sensitivity to health and family situations, and make autopsy arrangements as needed.
• Use standard office tools and software proficiently.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to gain experience and develop skills.
• Interact regularly with employees from different departments, including attorneys, managers, paralegals, supervisors, and administrative assistants, as well as with clients, defense counsel, and court personnel via telephone and email.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree or Paralegal Certificate required.
• Experience: Minimum of one year of office experience, preferably in a law firm.
• Skills: Proficiency in WordPerfect, Excel, Word, Adobe, and other office programs.
• Strong command of English and Spanish, with the ability to speak, write, and read at a college level.
• Typing speed of 45 WPM.
• Strong attention to detail.

Benefits

• Major medical, dental, vision insurance for temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer.
• 401k plan and any statutory sick pay where required.