Paralegal (Litigation)

DUTIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

This position primarily assists with all aspects of litigation and trial support including: discovery management, collecting, managing, and organizing documents; docketing/calendaring key litigation dates; managing document databases; contacting and interviewing witnesses and information custodians; performing legal/general research and analysis, coordinating depositions and other meetings; communicating and coordinating with vendors; assisting with outside counsel billing software; other responsibilities as assigned by the Law Department’s litigation attorneys. This position is also frequently asked to coordinate independent special projects with minimum supervision.

Responsibilities

• Proficient with legal projects and performs essential job functions; specifically, possessing a solid understanding of the legal practice the paralegal is supporting and the ability to perform substantial detailed legal-support work with little supervision after the attorney has provided detailed direction.
• Solid level of expertise in at least one significant legal specialty area.
• Interact with outside business contacts and outside counsel as required.
• Active participant in client educational initiatives.
• Interact with clients at Director level and below.
• Conduct legal research and draft standard legal documents; including draft discovery responses.
• Overall management for updating files (research, compilation, retention, formatting and presentation), and monitor case/project schedules and deadlines.

Skills & Knowledge

• Proficient level for researching case law, statutes & rules of civil procedure, both manually and electronically (e.g., GPO, Lexis/Nexis). Should be able to pull relevant case law and statutory authority.
• Proficient level of software utilization, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Outlook & Calendaring, Microsoft Teams, Sharepoint, Zoom, CounselLink, Collaborati, litigation case management

software, and similar tools

• Experience with e-discovery and trial management platforms, including creating productions electronically Solid knowledge of legal process in the substantive areas paralegal supports and the law in those substantive areas (e.g., FELA, personal injury law).

Leadership/Management

• Assist in the implementation of project tasks and deliverables; manage and prioritize assigned tasks to achieve project goal.
• Possess organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Set a high personal standard for work.
• Is action oriented, takes initiative.
• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and representatives from other departments, organizations and outside counsel.
• Demonstrates BNSF Vision and Shared Values.
• Impact the output of team efforts as a team member.
• Demonstrate strong analytic & problem-solving abilities.

Business Development

• Understands and responds to attorneys’ needs.
• Demonstrate excellent personal organization, planning, and time management skills.
• Sufficiently understand the Railroad transportation industry and the laws associated with the industry.
• Take action and follow through on assigned tasks with some managerial review and guidance.
• Balance timely action with complete analysis.

Communication

• Solid written and verbal communication skills required.
• Make practical evaluations of risk.
• Communicate clearly and effectively.

Case/Project Management

• Employs sound organization and project management skills.
• Interacts well with other team members.
• Experience with change management/technology adoption a plus

Experience/ Education/Certifications

• Minimum of 2-5 years of legal related experience.
• One of the following is required below:
  • Paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association approved institution or certification as a Legal Assistant from the National Association of Legal Assistants
  • Associates degree
• BA or BS Degree desired

A candidate with prior experience in discovery/records management projects in the railroad industry is valued.