Paralegal II - IP Litigation

Job ID: 7555

Updated: Jan 24, 2024

Location:

Category: Paralegal

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.

As one of the world's leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don't just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,500 lawyers) operating from 20 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is seeking an experienced IP Litigation Paralegal. Typically one IP Litigation Paralegal is assigned to most IP litigation cases, particularly those that are large, complex, or multi-party actions. The Paralegals work with all of the attorneys on the matter from the commencement of the case through trial and is responsible for managing the flow of information and ensuring adherence to best practices. Successful Paralegals develop solid working relationships with senior partners and clients and continually find new and better ways of performing tasks and improving processes through the application of new technology.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

1. Litigation Case Management
   1. Interacts with vendors and directly with government agencies (e.g., Patent & Trademark Office, etc.) to obtain information and materials (e.g. certified patents; patent file histories and wrappers, etc.)
   2. Manages document production processes (e.g., hard copy, electronic, etc.)
      1. Collects material from client, opposing parties, and third parties (hard copies, electronic data, physical evidence)
      2. Maintains chain of custody
      3. Works in all phases of the discovery process, from collection of documents from the client to the production of documents to other parties.
         1. Works with the client and their in-house legal staff to collect relevant electronic and paper documents and data, as well as assists at client interviews and on-site document reviews
         2. Once documents and data is collected, designs and manages the document review process to help identify and track potentially responsive, confidential, and privileged materials
      4. Designs and implements document review systems
      5. Compiles information necessary to respond to interrogatories, document requests, and requests for admission served on their clients
      6. Prepares privilege logs
      7. Manages logistics of production of documents (e.g., hard copy, images, native, etc.)
      8. Manages the files ("case record") including a complete set of the correspondence, memos, pleadings, and client documents in a matter
      9. Helps monitor deadlines by creating and maintaining calendars of key dates
   3. Substantive Research
      1. Analyzes documents and materials
      2. Performs factual research
      3. Compiles information into charts, graphs and timelines
      4. Researches prior testimony and publications of opposing experts
      5. Researches rules of procedure for relevant court venues, and assures adherence thereto
   4. Coordinates preparation and filing of briefs and legal documents
      1. Drafts routine filings (e.g., attorney appearances, notices of filings, notices of motions)
      2. Legal cite checking, shepardizing (Westlaw, Lexis)
      3. Fact checking
      4. Assembles and organizes appendices, exhibits, and supporting documents and arranges for filing with the court and serving on all parties
      5. Blue Book formatting, application of local rules
      6. Prepares and submits electronic court filings
   5. Interacts with outside entities (e.g., clients, government agencies, expert witnesses, consultants, other law firms, opposing parties, court personnel, etc.)
      1. Works with trial consultants on graphics, linking deposition videos and other demonstratives, and coordinates courtroom logistics with courthouse personnel
   6. Manages litigation support systems
      1. Databases (Relativity, Concordance, etc,)
      2. Transcript management systems (LiveNote)
      3. Calendaring, task sharing, collaborative systems
   7. Manages preparation for witnesses and depositions
      1. Manages preparation of witness and subject files
      2. Compiles and organizes exhibits
      3. Assists in preparation of witness outlines
      4. Manages technical logistics for depositions and court reporting agencies (e.g., remote hookups, electronic transcripts, videography, synchronization, etc.)
      5. Manages deposition transcripts and exhibits and maintains searchable computer databases of testimony
      6. For expert depositions, works with expert witnesses, researches prior testimony and publications, and tracks materials sent to the experts
   8. Manages trial preparation and trial support
      1. Works with the attorneys, experts, and client to identify and compile potential trial exhibits, generate trial exhibit lists, and track objections to each party's exhibits
      2. Prepares deposition designations, and compiles Pretrial Orders and other submissions
      3. Sets up and manages off-site trial offices and trial support (e.g., remote office setup and logistics)
      4. Coordinates the scheduling of witnesses for preparation and testimony
      5. At trial, prepares materials for each day's examinations, tracks the use and admission of exhibits, tracks and reviews witness testimony, and delivers and picks up all materials at the courtroom each day
   9. Manages resources
      1. Supervises legal staff

1. 1. 1. Obtains and supervises support from Firm departments (e.g., Litigation Support, Graphics Services, Purchasing, Trial Support Services, etc.)
      2. Manages relationships with supporting vendors (e.g., graphics, court reporters, trial support, hotels, etc.)
      3. Manages the large volume of documents and information during the discovery phase of litigation by setting up databases, either on-line or in-house, obtaining assistance and support as necessary from Litigation Support and from outside vendors
2. Initiative
   1. Anticipates needs, acts without direction, asks questions
   2. Handles many projects at one time
   3. Assumes responsibility for self (and team); does not blame others
   4. Seeks and implements new and better ways of working; process improvements
   5. Markets services to attorneys
   6. Willing to take risks, seek challenges, take over difficult or unconventional projects; can take on a project at any stage
3. Performance Management
   1. Trains staff and encourages development of knowledge and abilities
   2. Enforces Firm policies
   3. Stays within cost and resource constraints
   4. Assigns work based on abilities of subordinates and to ensure success in meeting needs and deadlines; identifies strengths and weaknesses of team members
   5. Holds subordinates accountable for achieving expectations and working efficiently
   6. Uses flexible approaches to different staff members
   7. Talks openly and directly with subordinates about performance problems, providing guidance and direction; prepares skill development plans
   8. Establishes and refines procedures to increase efficiency based on evidence
   9. Designs systems and procedures to be consistent and to meet high standards
4. Solving Problems
   1. Breaks problems into component parts to find most appropriate solution
   2. Researches and finds solutions for problems
   3. Finds and tries more than one solution, as well as novel solutions, to stop problem from returning
   4. Makes decisions within appropriate time frame and cost constraints
   5. When needed, makes decisions with incomplete or imperfect information; handles ambiguity well
5. Managing Information
   1. Designs, implements, and refines systems to absorb large volumes of data that can be easily retrieved by others
   2. Teaches others to sort and store information using several systems
   3. Establishes and maintains security and confidences
   4. Manages large quantity of changing information in high stress circumstances
6. Gathering Information
   1. Understands purpose of information and disseminates information in clear and concise fashion
   2. Uses varied internal and external sources, and creative approaches, in locating information
   3. Develops methods and systems to obtain and organize information
   4. Considers time and cost constraints; evaluates and refines data-gathering methods
7. Leading Teams (for those managing teams/staff)
   1. Keeps members informed
   2. Maintains a positive working environment and gives credit and recognition
   3. Keeps group motivated during long hours of work and high stress
   4. Leads differing types of teams - flexible, cross-functional
8. Communication (oral, voicemail, e-mail)
   1. Works well with attorneys, clients, experts, vendors, consultants
   2. Effectively listens and responds; detects underlying meaning
   3. Maintains professionalism and clarity in communication
   4. Displays tact and good judgment
   5. Changes communication style and mode as needed
   6. Explains complex information and interprets data
   7. Maintains confidentiality
   8. Sells ideas and proposals to partners, clients
9. Influencing Others
   1. Understands where to go for information and to accomplish tasks
   2. Models behavior desired in others - leadership by example
   3. Promotes change within organization
   4. Persuades individuals and groups (partners, clients) to adopt best practices
10. Using Technology
    1. Keeps up to date on changes and improvements of technologies relevant to practice area
    2. Selects and applies most effective technologies to client matters
    3. Trains staff and attorneys on use of technology
    4. Uses complicated technical functions, and adapts technology for own needs
    5. Develops and helps select new technical applications within the Firm
11. Monitoring for Accuracy, Quality and Order
    1. Maintains high work quality while working under pressure of deadlines and competing priorities
    2. Monitors details and quality of others' work (staff, attorneys)
    3. Develops and manages complex systems to coordinate development and compilation of work product involving K&E attorneys (sometimes across practice areas), clients, other parties, potential bidders and investors, staff, consultants, and vendors in accordance with strict and often accelerated schedules

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• The ideal candidate will possess at least five years of IP Litigation Paralegal experience with a Bachelor's degree preferred.
• This position requires complex IP litigation experience. Specifically, the candidate is responsible for preparing for trials in various venues in the Federal court system. Other tasks include electronic court filing (ECF), managing large discovery requests and responses, creating and managing databases and imaging systems, and supervising paralegal teams. Experience with Copyright and Trademark Litigation is a plus.
• The candidate should also have experience managing out-of-town trial offices for cases that have gone to verdict.
• Additional qualifications include excellent analytical and superior organizational abilities, solid communication and management skills, creativity and initiative.
• Flexibility for travel and overtime required.

Technologies/Software

• The candidate must have high-level experience with a range of litigation support applications including web-based platforms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Equal Employment Opportunity

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Closing Statement

The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-Hybrid #LI-SM1