Junior Paralegal - IP Litigation (Century City)

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a preeminent, full-service law firm with offices around the world and a staff as diverse as the practice areas we support. Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies to medium and small corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms.  Known for our commitment to excellence, Kirkland strives to provide superior service to our clients as well as our fellow employees. From Information Technology to Human Resources, Paralegal Services to Business Development, Kirkland offers non-attorney professionals challenging careers in a variety of functional areas. Whether starting or growing your career, Kirkland can offer a performance-driven culture filled with bright and innovative teams of co-workers.

Essential Job Functions

A position supporting paralegals and attorneys in the IP litigation group in our Century City office.  This position is an opportunity for individuals who may be interested in law school to gain prior legal experience. Junior Paralegals work under the supervision and direction of a paralegal and/or Advisor.  The Junior Paralegal performs substantive tasks that assist our paralegal and attorney teams in preparing for the case or matter at every stage. The Junior Paralegal assists paralegal in all phases of the discovery process, from collection of documents from the client to the production of documents to other parties. Long hours and travel required. This is not an administrative position.

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

• Provide support to Paralegals, Advisor and Attorneys in the IP Litigation Department.
• Become thoroughly familiar with each assigned active case by understanding the nature of the documents and their relationship to the case in order to be responsive to document requests.
• Assist as a custodian of any and all documents, media and databases relevant to the active cases.
• Organize materials from IP vendors and government agencies, such as the US Patent & Trademark Office. Assist paralegals and attorneys with deposition witness files, document productions, briefs and other various tasks as they are assigned in preparation for depositions, hearings, arbitrations or trials.
• Compile and organize case materials; and compile relevant documents in databases and network drives to maintain an accessible case file.
• Employ various Firm resources and shared network drives.
• Commitment to work overtime and travel as needed, which maybe be heavy at times, and may include weekends or holidays with potential to be for extended periods of time and on short notice.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

The ideal Junior Paralegal candidate is a college graduate with a strong interest in the legal profession and litigation law with the ability to commit to the position for at least two years. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary with the ability to take direction, welcome constructive feedback, interact professionally with staff, attorneys, paralegals, clients and vendors. A successful candidate must be able to work independently as well as with a team, have an acute attention to detail, takes initiative and is able to multi-task and prioritize while working in a high pressure, deadline-driven environment. Strong technical and critical thinking skills are required.  Overtime and travel availability is a must and a college degree or California ABA Paralegal Certification is required.

Technologies/Software

• Experience particularly with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and a Document Management System is needed and knowledge of Carpe Diem, Westlaw, and LegalKey is a plus.

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.