Paralegal Roles

We recognize that every paralegal candidate is unique, so we offer a choice of two paths to allow everyone to build a career that best suits their interests and aspirations.

Program Paralegals (requires a two-year commitment)

Our specialized two-year entry-level program is designed for recent college graduates considering law school. The program gives recruits the opportunity to work within our corporate or litigation practice areas, and offers them personalized training and firsthand access to life at a law firm before they continue their education.

Career Paralegals

Our tiered career path is designed for those interested in pursuing paralegal work for the long term. Whether you’re an entry-level paralegal starting your career or a seasoned paralegal with practice area specialization, you’ll receive personalized and targeted training, as well as ample opportunities for professional development and growth. 

What we are looking for 

Within our corporate and litigation groups, we have a tiered paralegal career path, from entry level to paralegal specialist. The career path provides a number of growth opportunities, including targeted professional development and promotion opportunities based on skill development, experience and expertise.

Our corporate and litigation practice groups also offer a specialized two-year entry level program designed for recent graduates who want to experience working in a law firm before attending law school. 

ESSENTIAL CAPABILITIES:

• Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal and personnel affairs and client information.  Understands ethics of position including ethical rules in regards to confidentiality, billing, and client representation and advocacy.
• Able to interact effectively and professionally with clients and all levels of personnel, including attorneys, co-workers, management and support staff.  
• Able to own professional development by seeking out feedback and learning new skills.
• Able to embrace new processes and incorporate new technology to meet client demands as they evolve.
• Must be flexible in order to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities; able to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple, detailed tasks.
• Must be team-oriented and able to share information, goals, opportunities, successes and failures with the appropriate parties.
• Able to plan, organize and complete multiple related tasks.
• Able to exert influence at all levels of the organization.
• Able to problem solve and work with minimal supervision.
• Able to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment for resolution.
• Must deliver high quality work product and display ownership, having the ability to follow up and follow through.
• Must possess the ability to work independently, as well as on teams, in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to effectively work in a multi-office environment and a culturally and educationally diverse environment.
• Must be flexible in accommodating finite Secondment opportunities with the Firm's clients.
• Some lifting of boxes up to 20 pounds.
• Flexibility to travel on short notice and work overtime as needed, including nights and weekends. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  may differ based on client assignments and practice area support 

• Track, maintain and help to coordinate paper and electronic document collections, reviews and productions, and client flies, including corporate minute books, board books and stock records. Calendar and maintain deadline-driven documents and filings.
• Understand and utilize rudimentary e-discovery and computer forensic concepts, such as, preservation of data and chain of custody.
• Implement and maintain organizational systems for discovery phase of litigation, including, but not limited to, document collection review and production tracking logs, privilege logs, deposition material, and exhibit logs.
• Perform public searches, including federal and state lien searches, financing statement, and secretary of state records and prepare charts or summaries to illustrate results. Assist with filings to and searches of Federal and state Agencies, including U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Secretary of States sites, and others.
• Assemble and provide quality checks on exhibits and appendices for court filings and/or hearings, depositions and trials. Utilize Adobe to assist and prepare e-binders and hard copy binders for case and deal teams.
• Create, implement, and maintain case files and workroom organizational systems. Assist with the organization and maintenance of corporate closing and data rooms, whether physical or electronic.
• Prepare for and attend depositions, hearings, trials and arbitrations, and client and deal team meetings and presentations.
• Analyze and review various documents as required by lawyers.  Prepare documents, such as statistical charts and graphs. Assist in the preparation and drafting of corporate documents, including but not limited to: stock certificates, option agreements, and financing statements as needed.
• Understand database concepts and terminology. Assist with and help to coordinate litigation support projects through utilization of document databases such as Relativity (web repository or in-house) and Case Notebook.
• Perform litigation due diligence searches, obtain docket sheets and other court papers utilizing electronic tools such as Courtlink. Utilize legal research software such as Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis for case retrieval and citation reference. Assist with due diligence review of materials and retrieval of publicly available documents from state officials for corporate transactions or when requested.
• Assist with the preparation and filing of forms, certificates and other writings with various state and federal agencies and authorities, including but not limited to the IRS, SEC, and others.
• Draft and process legal response letters in connection with audit requests in compliance with established firm policy and procedure.
• Coordinate and participate in the proofreading of internally and externally prepared filings and documents including printer proofs and other writings.
• Assist in preparation of closings, attend closings, and attend to post-closing activities and deliveries, including closing binder preparation and distribution.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform other work-related duties as assigned by the Legal Services Managers and Paralegal Coordinators.
• Comply with department and firm administrative procedures, policies and best practices.
• General working knowledge of Microsoft office programs including MS Word and Excel needed.  Prior experience utilizing Adobe Acrobat a plus.
• Responsible for billing a minimum of 1600 hours of client-related projects and other credited work, pro-rated based on start date.
• Communicate, correspond and interact with clients and outside entities, such as government agencies, expert witnesses, corporations and other law firms to gather information or data.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The position will involve significant contact with lawyers and paralegals at the Firm and requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. The candidate must be a demonstrated self-starter who is both highly organized and a team player.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ropes & Gray requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, subject to applicable legal requirements. 
• Normal office environment. Incumbent is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. 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 all essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements.