Litigation Paralegal

Akerman LLP•Fort Lauderdale, FL

18d•Hybrid

About The Position

Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the nation’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers across the United States. Our Ft. Lauderdale office is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join our dynamic Litigation Practice Group. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, self-starting, and possess a minimum of 5 years’ experience supporting a busy and diverse litigation practice. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex commercial litigation, corporate litigation, banking litigation, and broker-dealer litigation and arbitration matters within a collaborative, high-performing team. This is a hybrid position with a requirement to work in the office three (3) days (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) per week. In addition to strong technical litigation skills, this position requires a paralegal who can contribute to team operations, planning, and strategic execution, serving as a reliable and trusted partner to team leadership. What You’ll Do As a valued member of the team, you will: Assist and support attorneys through all phases of litigation, including case management, discovery, hearing support, trial preparation trial attendance. Draft, analyze, proof, and prepare pleadings, discovery responses, subpoenas, notices, correspondence, and shell documents. Conduct legal research, including retrieving case law, statutes, and rules from Westlaw, Lexis or related research platforms. Manage and review discovery documents, including electronic document handling, computer-based redaction, metadata review, processing, and preparation for electronic production. Organize and maintain case files, calendars, deadlines, and document databases using litigation support tools. Prepare deposition summaries, exhibit lists, trial binders, and hearing materials. Coordinate with attorneys, clients, experts, and vendors to ensure timely and accurate case progression. Support trials and hearings, and demonstrate a strong willingness to learn courtroom support functions (occasional travel may be required for trials/hearings in other jurisdictions). Effectively manage multiple cases, deadlines, and priorities while producing high-quality work product. Accurately record billable time in accordance with firm policies. Partner closely with department leadership on team planning, workflow coordination, and strategic initiatives, serving as a dependable operational resource. Demonstrate strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to act as a trusted adviser in supporting the daily management and long-term goals of the team.

Requirements

Possess a minimum of 5 years of litigation paralegal experience in a law firm setting.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Florida and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable Florida Statutes.
Have exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage case files, deadlines, and trial preparation responsibilities.
Have experience drafting and analyzing legal documents in a fast-paced team environment.
Be proficient in electronic case management, including redaction, review, processing, and e-production of documents.
Bring working knowledge of—or the ability to quickly learn—e-discovery and litigation support software, including: iManage Relativity Trial Director
Show strong research skills using Westlaw Next or similar resources.
Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Exhibit excellent attention to detail, follow-through, and the ability to maintain strong working relationships with colleagues.
Have prior experience with trial or hearing support—or strong interest and aptitude in developing those skills.
Possess the professionalism, discretion, and interpersonal skills necessary to support leadership with planning, strategy development, team coordination, and execution of department initiatives.
Be comfortable serving as a reliable thought-partner who anticipates needs, offers solutions, and contributes to the operational success of the team.

Responsibilities

Assist and support attorneys through all phases of litigation, including case management, discovery, hearing support, trial preparation trial attendance.
Draft, analyze, proof, and prepare pleadings, discovery responses, subpoenas, notices, correspondence, and shell documents.
Conduct legal research, including retrieving case law, statutes, and rules from Westlaw, Lexis or related research platforms.
Manage and review discovery documents, including electronic document handling, computer-based redaction, metadata review, processing, and preparation for electronic production.
Organize and maintain case files, calendars, deadlines, and document databases using litigation support tools.
Prepare deposition summaries, exhibit lists, trial binders, and hearing materials.
Coordinate with attorneys, clients, experts, and vendors to ensure timely and accurate case progression.
Support trials and hearings, and demonstrate a strong willingness to learn courtroom support functions (occasional travel may be required for trials/hearings in other jurisdictions).
Effectively manage multiple cases, deadlines, and priorities while producing high-quality work product.
Accurately record billable time in accordance with firm policies.
Partner closely with department leadership on team planning, workflow coordination, and strategic initiatives, serving as a dependable operational resource.
Demonstrate strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to act as a trusted adviser in supporting the daily management and long-term goals of the team.