Paralegal: Appellate Litigation

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

 

If you thrive in a collaborative environment that values exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, we invite you to consider joining our Legal Risk Management department in our Washington, D.C. office, as a Paralegal: Appellate Litigation.

 

The Paralegal: Appellate Litigation plays a critical role supporting attorneys in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, with special emphasis on Supreme Court and Appellate practice, through all phases of complex commercial litigation, including large-scale discovery, advanced motions practice, trial preparation, and appellate proceedings. This position requires mastery in managing voluminous case files, overseeing substantial document productions, coordinating eDiscovery workflows, and ensuring flawless filings in state and federal courts.

Serving as a senior liaison among attorneys, court personnel, eDiscovery vendors, clients, and expert witnesses, the Senior Litigation Paralegal ensures procedural accuracy, strategic organization, and strict compliance with deadlines. The ideal candidate brings extensive litigation experience, strong leadership capabilities, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to operate independently in a fast paced environment.

Essential Functions:

 

Document Production and File Maintenance:

• Oversee preparation of complex document productions, including Bates stamping, redaction, indexing, privilege review coordination, and quality control
• Develop and maintain sophisticated organizational systems that support multi-year, multi-party litigation
• Train junior paralegals on production protocols and file management best practices

 

Discovery and eDiscovery Support:

• Lead collection, processing, review, and production of discovery materials
• Serve as point of contact for eDiscovery vendors, managing workflows, and troubleshooting issues with assistance from internal e-Discovery department
• Draft and coordinate discovery responses, privilege logs, and productions schedules; ensure compliance with discovery obligations and court orders

 

Motions, Hearings and Trial Preparation:

• Manage preparation of exhibits, appendices, and supporting materials for complex motions and briefs
• Oversee deposition preparation, including witness kits, exhibit management, and transcript coordination
• Lead trial preparation efforts, including trial binders, demonstratives, and witness logistics
• Provide real time support during depositions and hearings
• Draft and prepare shell documents such as initial drafts of memoranda, briefs, pleadings, motions, and discovery requests and responses

 

Court Filings and Document Management:

• Prepare, review, and file pleadings in state and federal courts, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local rules
• Oversee docketing of deadlines, hearings, and procedural requirements; ensure attorneys are informed of all critical dates

 

Appeals Support:

• Manage assembly of records on appeal, preparation of appendices, and coordination of appellate filings
• Ensure compliance with appellate rules, formatting requirements, and jurisdiction specific procedures
• Proofread, edit, and cite check fact and legal citations in appellate and Supreme Court memoranda, including joint appendices; prepare page-proof and final versions of briefs

  

Research and Administrative Support:

• Conduct advanced factual and legal research using Westlaw, Lexis, PACER, and other resources
• Communicate professionally with court clerks, clients, vendors, and opposing counsel on procedural and logistical matters
• Contribute to process improvements, workflow efficiencies, and best practice development within the litigation paralegal team

Qualifications:

• 5-7+ years of litigation paralegal experience in a law firm
• Deep knowledge of discovery processes, eDiscovery platforms, document review workflows, and litigation lifecycle management
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-party cases with minimal supervision
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Proficiency with eDiscovery tools, Westlaw/Lexis, PACER, Microsoft Office, and litigation databases such as Relativity and Opus2
• Ability to lead junior staff, manage competing deadlines, and support multiple litigation teams simultaneously
• Bachelor’s degree required; Paralegal Certificate preferred

 

Performance Traits:

• Exceptional Attention to Detail: Produces precise, error free work product; identifies procedural or substantive issues before they escalate
• Strong Litigation Judgment: Understands complex litigation strategy, anticipates next steps, and prioritizes task based on case posture and court deadlines
• Proactive Problem‑Solving: Independently resolves issues by providing solutions and recommendations to attorneys
• High Level of Organization: Manage multiple large-scale cases while maintaining structured files, accurate calendars, and comprehensive documentation
• Effective Communication Skills: Communicates clearly and professionally with attorneys, clients, court personnel, vendors, and expert witnesses
• Ownership and Accountability: Takes full responsibility for deliverables, deadlines, and quality of work
• Adaptability and Composure: Performs effectively under pressure, adjusts to shifting priorities, and high-volume discovery periods
• Collaboration: Contributes to a positive and efficient team environment
• Confidentiality and Professional Integrity: Handles sensitive information with discretion and adheres to firm policies and ethical standards
• Resourcefulness and Initiative: Anticipates needs, identifies process improvements, and takes initiative without waiting for direction
• Strong Research Skills: Efficiently uses legal research tools and public records databases
• Commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement: Continuously refines litigation skills, stays current on court rules and best practices, and consistently enhances work product quality

 

Physical Requirements: 

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.

 

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

 

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

 

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

 

We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request an accommodation related to the application process or interview, please email uslateralrecruiting@mayerbrown.com. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

 

Mayer Brown works with select external search firms that have been vetted against our standards. Firms without a contract or agreement with Mayer Brown are not authorized to represent that they are working with the Firm, nor are they entitled to placement fees. Mayer Brown does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruiters. Submission of an unsolicited CV to Mayer Brown or any of its Partners or employees will not establish any right of priority for the submitting agency.

 

The typical pay scale for this position is between USD $121,000.00/Yr. and USD $161,000.00/Yr., although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate's education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified.