Paralegal - Employment Law

Phelps Dunbar Llp - Tampa, FL

Full-time - Entry Level

Tampa, FL

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Phelps Dunbar LLP, an AmLaw 200 full-service law firm, is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Paralegal to support its Employment Law department in Tampa, FL. This full-time position offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced Labor and Employment environment, where the Paralegal will perform various substantive legal duties under the supervision and direction of attorneys. The role is essential in ensuring the smooth operation of legal processes and requires a proactive approach to managing case files and supporting litigation efforts. The Employment Law Paralegal will be responsible for organizing and maintaining files from the inception of each case through to its completion. This includes conducting factual investigations and interviews to identify key parties, related issues, and relevant documents necessary for the preparation of discovery. The Paralegal will assist in drafting answers to interrogatories and responses to requests for production of documents, including the management of electronically stored information (ESI). Coordination of depositions requested by attorneys is also a key responsibility, along with summarizing and organizing depositions, records, and testimony using litigation support technology tools. In addition to these tasks, the Paralegal will draft various pleadings and filings for both Federal and State level civil litigation. They will assist with all aspects of case litigation and trial preparation, including identifying and marking exhibits for motions, position papers, mediation depositions, and trial. The role requires verifying case citations in briefs for current validity and accuracy through Westlaw, interacting with government and court officials, and maintaining attorney calendars with case deadlines. The Paralegal will also assist in trial with exhibits, demonstrative aids, and witnesses, while ensuring that timesheets are maintained and firm deadlines are met in accordance with firm policies. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Responsibilities

• Organize and maintain files from the inception of the case through completion.
• Conduct factual investigations and interviews to identify key parties, related issues, and relevant documents for discovery preparation.
• Assist in the preparation of answers to interrogatories and responses to requests for production of documents, including ESI.
• Coordinate depositions of parties requested by attorneys.
• Summarize and organize depositions, records, and testimony utilizing litigation support technology tools.
• Draft various pleadings and filings in Federal and State level civil litigation.
• Assist with all aspects of case litigation and trial preparation, including identifying and marking exhibits for motions, position papers, mediation depositions, and trial.
• Verify case citations in briefs for current validity and accuracy through Westlaw.
• Interact with various government and court officials as well as clients.
• Maintain attorney calendars with case deadlines.
• Assist in trial with exhibits, demonstrative aids, and witnesses.
• Maintain timesheets and meet firm deadlines in accordance with Firm policies.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required.
• A four-year college degree and a certificate in paralegal studies is preferred.
• A minimum of two years litigation experience is required; three years preferred.
• Ability to manage complex litigation using current technology is required.
• High level of computer literacy including proficiency in MS Office Software Suite and a working knowledge of a document management system is required.
• Experience using electronic resources and litigation support software is strongly preferred.
• Excellent time management, organizational abilities, and strong proofreading skills are required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a fast-paced Labor and Employment environment is preferred.
• Strong motivation and initiative to work independently is preferred.