Manager, IP Litigation Paralegal Team

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox•Washington, DC

17h•$160,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Named for several years as a "great place" to work by The Washington Post and Washington Business Journal, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is proud to be one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. We recognize that it is the talent and dynamism of each individual at Sterne Kessler that makes that possible. With that in mind, we have cultivated an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating with just the right touch of fun and exuberance. We offer a competitive compensation package with excellent benefits and are Metro-accessible in a prime downtown location with many nearby restaurants and shops. We are looking for a Manager, IP Litigation Paralegal Team that oversees the strategic and operational management of the Trial & Appellate Group (TAG) paralegal team. This is an exempt role that will aid in ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal support across all litigation matters, paralegal team professional development, and aligning paralegal resources with the firm’s broader litigation goals. This role will serve as a key liaison between attorneys, paralegals, and administrative leadership, driving efficiency, consistency, and excellence in legal support services. This position is hybrid from the D.C. area with 3 days in office highly preferred. We would expect travel to trial locations, depending on trial schedules.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; paralegal certification or advanced legal training preferred.
Minimum 10 years of IP litigation paralegal experience.
Advance knowledge of litigation procedures, discovery rules, trial preparation, and court filing systems.
Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex workflows, and drive operational excellence.
Experience with litigation software (such as Relativity, CaseMap, Concordance, TrialDirector, PACER, CompuLaw, Case Notebook, IPRO (Eclipse), and FileSite, etc.).
Proven experience managing trial logistics.
Familiarity with case management and document management systems.
Advanced Microsoft Office skills required.
Demonstrated knowledge of meeting platforms such as MS Teams, Zoom and Webex.
Experience in leading large-scale legal projects and teams from conception to completion, including defining scope, setting timelines, and managing budgets.
Understanding of the legal tech landscape, including AI tools and cloud-based solutions, with the ability to evaluate and recommend new technologies.
Ability to align paralegal functions with the firm's business objectives, using a strong understanding of profitability and client relations.
Excellent communication, oral, written, and interpersonal skills; ability to influence persuasively and effectively with a collaborative orientation.
Strong organization and project management skills, demonstrating a process improvement focus.

Nice To Haves

paralegal certification or advanced legal training preferred.

Responsibilities

Overseeing paralegal support for all phases of litigation under the direction of the Practice Group Leader (PGL) and TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, including discovery, motion practice, trial preparation, document review, court filings, exhibit preparation, deposition summaries, case notebooks, pleadings, cite checking, litigation document review, and other litigation support services.
Ensuring consistent quality, accuracy, timeliness, and client service excellence in all paralegal work; applying quality management techniques and implementing best practices to meet or exceed attorney and client expectations.
Monitoring and maintaining case deadlines, docketing requirements, court rules, and procedural compliance for U.S. and foreign litigation matters; providing regular case status updates to TAG attorneys.
Developing and implementing strategies for paralegal workflow, case assignment, staffing, resource allocation, and workload balancing to maximize efficiency, productivity, and client service.
Serving as the primary liaison between paralegals and attorneys; facilitating communication, addressing staffing needs, resolving workflow challenges, and acting as the escalation point for complex litigation support issues.
Collaborating with partners and TAG leadership to forecast staffing needs for new and active matters and ensuring appropriate paralegal support across the practice.
Managing TAG Paralegals under the direction of the Practice Group Leader and TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, including recruiting, onboarding, retaining, supervising, managing workflows, overseeing hybrid and remote work arrangements, conducting performance management activities, coaching, counseling, administering discipline, supporting career development and succession planning, and seeking guidance from Human Resources as appropriate.
Fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment that promotes engagement, accountability, professional growth, teamwork, and high morale among TAG Paralegals.
Designing, implementing, and delivering training for Paralegals, strengthening departmental capabilities and supporting long-term career advancement and leadership development.
Conducting regular meetings with TAG leadership and attorneys to assess staffing needs, soliciting feedback on paralegal performance, and aligning resources with client and practice demands.
Conducting regular meetings with TAG Paralegals to communicate workflow expectations, department objectives, performance metrics, best practices, industry trends, and professional development opportunities.
Monitoring individual and departmental productivity, utilization, billable and non-billable hours, and other key performance indicators; analyzing trends, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing data-driven solutions to enhance performance and efficiency.
Completing performance evaluations in a thoughtful, fair, and timely manner; establishing development plans, monitoring progress toward goals, and addressing performance concerns in consultation with the Practice Group Leader (PGL), TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, and Human Resources as needed.
Assisting with the recruitment and selection of TAG Paralegals, including reviewing resumes, screening candidates, coordinating interviews, and providing hiring recommendations in partnership with the PGL, TAG Director Paralegal Liaison, and Human Resources.
Reviewing and approving timecards, time entries, leave requests, expense reports, vendor invoices, and other administrative items for TAG Paralegals, ensuring compliance with firm policies and procedures.
Assisting in the development and management of departmental budgets and resource planning activities.
Liaising with the Electronic Discovery & Litigation Practice Technology Manager regarding litigation support services, technology platforms, system enhancements, maintenance, and the evaluation and implementation of litigation support solutions.
Staying current on litigation support technologies, courtroom presentation tools, industry best practices, and emerging trends to ensure the delivery of innovative and effective litigation support services.
Managing relationships with outside business partners (vendors), contractors, court reporters, trial consultants, and equipment providers; maintaining preferred vendor resources and overseeing the delivery of contracted services.
Defining, developing, and managing customized support solutions for specialized case and project needs.
Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the firm's litigation practice, strategic objectives, and client service standards to align paralegal operations with firm priorities.
Maintaining a 600-hour annual billable goal as a working supervisor.
Demonstrating professionalism, collaboration, and respect in all interactions.
Participating in or leading special projects and performing other duties as assigned.