Paralegal - Labor & Employment

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation.  If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Paralegal position. This position is open in our Kansas City, Missouri office.

The Labor & Employment Paralegal will provide assistance to attorneys across a range of practice areas, with a primary focus on civil litigation and some labor and employment matters. Responsibilities include fact-intensive investigation, legal research, document preparation and production, database management, docketing/case management, and overall client service. Functions specific to litigation may include written discovery, electronic discovery, deposition preparation, employment and medical records requests/tracking and summarizing, investigation and trial preparation, analysis of factual information, assistance in preparation of chronologies, summaries, pleadings, motions and/or briefs, management of document production databases and trial participation. Essential job functions include:

• Provide assistance to attorneys in fact investigation, legal research, document preparation and production, database management, docketing/case management, and overall client service.
• Learn/develop technical proficiency in database use and management; internet/electronic research; and project folder/electronic file maintenance.
• Independently organize and manage files or delegate similar tasks to Paralegal Assistant.
• Prepare employment chronologies.
• Conduct document review (personnel files/correspondence) and prepare summaries of same.
• Order all records including FOIA requests to administrative agencies (i.e., EEOC/TWC/DOL), medical records, employment records, and applicable court records.
• Manage EEOC Portal including oversight of position statements, investigative requests, and correspondence to and from the agency.
• Prepare materials for and assist in preparation for depositions, hearings, and trials.
• Pre-trial preparation and trial attendance.
• Prepare draft pleadings and discovery.
• Coordinate in-person or electronic filing of pleadings/documents and arrange for service.
• Collect and summarize medical records.
• Assist with calendaring/docketing.
• Attend and participate in internal CLEs.
• Anticipate attorney needs.
• Serve as a mentor to a Paralegal Assistant, or more junior Paralegal, as needed.
• Engage in occasional interaction with clients.
• Stay informed of developments in Paralegal industry.
• Familiarity and experience with adopting legal AI and ability to learn and implement new AI preferred.
• Meet annual billable hour target of 1500.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience.
• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Significant, substantive legal related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education at the discretion of the SBU Leader.

Other desired qualifications:

• Ability to interact in a professional and courteous manner with clients and employees at all times; professional appearance required.
• Experience with Relativity and other litigation support technology.
• Ability to successfully perform position requirements with excellent organizational, time-management and prioritization skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team; ability and willingness to adapt to changing business demands.
• Ability to produce acceptable amount of work efficiently and accurately; ability to produce quality final work product.
• Ability to exercise good judgment at all times by making sound and practical decisions; ability to assume responsibility for decisions and act decisively under deadlines.
• High level of professional integrity required; ability to maintain confidentiality and build trust.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Communicates messages in a clear, concise, and confident manner, adapting to the needs and preferences of others.
• Ability to prioritize workflow and manage time.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Ability to build strong client relations by quickly responding to needs.
• Demonstrates reliability and delivers on commitments.
• Excellent analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proven success working in a fast-paced, continually changing environment.
• Ability to independently handle all key duties without supervision of another Paralegal or Senior Paralegal.
• Ability to deliver superior service to all internal and external customers and communicate effectively.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

Full-time employees receive benefits including: medical and dental coverage; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses; an employee assistance program; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements; and more.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position.  Please reach out to our HR team to request an accommodation.

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, 401K, and much more.

Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Vet. Principal Applicants Only.