Advocate Health is seeking an experienced Labor & Employment paralegal to support the Employment and Litigation team in the Legal Department. The position is remote. Candidate must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision, and in a team environment when required. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, have good judgment, excellent interpersonal skills and strong attention to detail. Strong analytical and computer/technical skills required, specifically proficiency in Excel. The ideal candidate has 5 years of labor and employment law experience, which includes a litigation background.
Major Responsibilities
- Works under direction and supervision of Advocate Health attorneys to provide legal support to enterprise entities.
- Works collaboratively with attorneys, business partners, other teammates, outside counsel, and outside vendors, performing a wide variety of duties.
- Communicates effectively with Legal Department teammates, business partners, courts and government agencies.
- Serves as initial point of contact for questions to the Legal Department, assists in managing work flow within the Legal Department and monitors/tracks projects and legal matters.
- Manages and delegates projects to outside counsel, with an ability to identify and articulate to outside counsel what needs to be done on particular matters such as EEOC charges, lawsuits, government agency investigations, and general employment matters.
- Manages legal matters, including complex litigation, transactions, litigation hold, investigations, due diligence, discovery, all legal deadlines, case management database, legal case files and other responsibilities and assignments as required by attorneys in the Legal Department and as needed by other paralegals.
- Handles document management, including but not limited to, managing case files, review of documents for responsiveness, bates labeling, organization of documents and compiling information for discovery responses/pleadings/motions, depositions and trial preparation.
- Conducts legal research.
- Conducts fact investigation and analysis, evidence gathering, and organizes discovery materials.
- Conducts witness interviews, may prepare witnesses for depositions, government agency interviews, and trial.
- Attends and/or provides support in mediations and depositions.
- Drafts, reviews and, as applicable and under direction of an attorney, negotiates various types of legal documents such as contracts, employment agreements, settlement agreements, severance agreements, discovery responses, pleadings, position statements, response to requests for information, response to agency complaints, correspondence, memoranda, policies and other legal documents.
- Coordinates signatures on contracts and other documents, as needed.
- Files pleadings in local, state and federal courts/agencies, calculates and monitors filing deadlines, and verifies legal citation and Bluebook formatting.
- Facilitates document production (hard copy and electronic formats).
- Manages litigation databases, supports discovery processes, and manages reporting requirements as necessary.
- Reviews and redacts documents for privilege and protected health information.
- Manages, reviews, and responds to subpoenas.
- Participates in knowledge sharing, training, mentoring, and development for self and other members of the Legal Department. Serves as resource to, and assists with the training and mentoring of, other paralegals in the Legal Department.
Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Requirement: Paralegal Certificate preferred.
Education Required: Associate's degree.
Experienced Required: 5+ years of proven paralegal experience in a law firm or in-house legal department setting, preferably in labor and employment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
- Superior verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and superior organizational and analytical skills.
- Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision, applying analytical and critical thinking skills, and being open to change. Able to work in a team environment when required.
- Demonstrates willingness and ability to be proactive, takes the lead and is accountable for performance.
- Strong prioritization and time management skills. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines, have good judgment, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to understand math concepts related to wage issues.
- Excellent computer/technical skills required. Strong working knowledge and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), legal databases, and relevant computer software (for example, Relativity, iManage and Acuity).
- Ability to maintain data integrity.
- Excellent research and investigation skills.
- Advanced knowledge and appreciation for the subtleties in applicable laws and regulations. Strong and consistent ability to spot legal, regulatory and risk management issues.
- Well-organized, ability to identify, track and manage legal and other deadlines.
- Strong project management and leadership skills.
- Proficient in business English, legal terminology, and research.
- Knowledge of court and government agency systems and procedures.
- Experience in the health care industry preferred.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
- Position may require travel, which may result in exposure to road and weather hazards.
- Exposed to a normal office environment.
- Must be able to sit, stand, bend and walk for prolonged periods of time.
- Must be able operate all equipment necessary to perform the duties of the job including routine computer usage.
- Carrying items weighing up to 25 lbs.
- Must be able to participate in virtual meetings and have strong oral and written communication skills.
- Must be able to concentrate on minute detail with frequent interruptions.
- Must be capable of typing, writing, performing close computer work and data entry for prolonged periods of time.
- Occasionally visit offsite locations that may involve physical labor, long distances, uneven walking surfaces, exposure to high noise levels or chemicals, and wearing protective equipment.
- The candidate should also be willing to work long hours, as needed.
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This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.