Paralegal - Corporate Law & Litigation

SALARY

$67,500 - $77,700

POSITION SUMMARY

Under direct supervision, provides professional legal support to attorneys in both transactional and litigation matters. Assists with contract review and execution, preparation of corporate authorization documents including ordinances and resolutions, and management of legal documentation. Supports litigation and appellate matters by preparing and filing court documents, conducting legal research, assisting in brief preparation, and maintaining litigation files. Ensures compliance with court procedures and CTA governance requirements.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Assists attorneys with transactional legal matters.

o Reviews contracts, amendments, intergovernmental agreements, and related legal documents.

o Prepares transactional documents and coordinates execution, including obtaining required approvals and signatures.

o Maintains and organizes contract files and legal records.

o Coordinates with CTA departments to obtain information necessary to complete transactional matters.

* Prepares corporate authorization documents.

o Drafts ordinances, resolutions, and related corporate legal documents.

o Assists in preparing memoranda and correspondence related to corporate matters.

o Coordinates document routing and approval processes.

* Supports litigation and appellate matters.

o Prepares, files, and serves pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.

o Ensures appellate briefs are properly bound with appropriately-colored cover page before serving the requisite number of physical copies to the court, in person or via UPS.

o Ensures compliance with court rules and filing deadlines.

o Maintains litigation calendars and tracks deadlines.

* Conducts legal research and assists attorneys with legal analysis.

o Performs computerized legal research on statutes, regulations, procedural rules, and case law.

o Assists attorneys in preparing memoranda, briefs, and appellate filings.

o Cite-checks legal authorities using Westlaw, including cite checking authorities cited in opposing counsel's filings

* Maintains litigation and appellate files.

o Organizes, maintains, and indexes litigation files and exhibits.

o Assists with preparation of discovery responses and supporting documentation.

o Assists in preparation for hearings, trials, and appeals.

o Locates and interviews witnesses. Arranges witnesses' appearances for depositions and trials.

* Provides general legal support.

o Maintains confidentiality of privileged information.

o Communicates with CTA departments, courts, outside counsel, and external entities.

o Performs related duties as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

* None

CHALLENGES

* Keeping abreast of new trends and innovations in the legal field.

* Locating and retrieving in a timely manner all relevant internal documents from various departments and locations outside the law department.

* Accurately organizing and maintaining case files for attorneys with heavy caseloads.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

* Bachelor's degree in a related field and a paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal training program, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

* Experience in Transactional or Litigation preferred.

* Required to be a Commissioned Notary Public within ninety (90) days of employment in this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

* Demands associated with a normal office type environment.

* Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, manual dexterity, and working with computer keyboards.

* Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

* Working knowledge of trial and appellate court procedures in state and federal court, including filing and service requirements.

* Working knowledge of legal terminology and document preparation practices.

* Working knowledge of legal office procedures and practices.

* Working knowledge of basic legal research procedures.

* General knowledge of basic standard office administrative practices and procedures.

* Strong written and oral communications skills.

* Strong proofreading skills.

* Strong typing skills.

* Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills.

* Ability to perform standard and non-standard discovery tasks.

* Ability to train subordinate personnel in routine paralegal functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS

* General office environment.

* Makes occasional site visits to non-office locations (e.g. court or other CTA facilities).

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

* Standard office equipment.

* Personal computer and legal related equipment and software.

* Office productivity and on-line legal research software (Westlaw).