Pre-Law Paralegal

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP•Washington, DC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP is a premier litigation boutique law firm with offices in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, New York, NY, and Tampa, FL. The firm represents clients in high-stakes civil and criminal litigation, government investigations, and complex regulatory matters. The Pre-Law Paralegal program is intended for intellectually curious, detail-oriented college graduates with a demonstrated interest in a legal career. Participants receive training and mentorship and work closely with attorneys on substantive case matters to gain firsthand experience in legal practice. The program requires a full two-year commitment. This is a full-time, in-office role, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a one-hour unpaid lunch period, totaling 37.5 hours per week. Occasional remote work may be permitted, and additional hours may occasionally be required to meet case needs. The position is non-exempt and overtime eligible. The role is office-based and involves extended periods of sitting and computer work. The noise level is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The annualized base salary is $70,000, equivalent to an hourly rate of $35.90 based on a 37.5-hour workweek. Hours beyond 37.5 and up to 40 per week are paid at the regular hourly rate; hours beyond 40 are paid at one and one-half times the regular rate. Benefits include coverage options for medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, life insurance, disability, FSAs, a 401(k), and paid time off.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, conferred within the past 12–24 months or expected before the program start date.
Demonstrated interest in pursuing a legal career, such as through coursework, internships, or extracurricular activities.
Strong academic record; a GPA of 3.5 or above is typical of successful candidates.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong writing and editing, and the ability to communicate effectively in one-on-one and group settings.
Strong analytical, organizational, and planning abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), online research, and artificial intelligence-based tools, and comfort learning new software, including e-discovery platforms.
Professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to exercise discretion with confidential and sensitive information.
Willingness to work in-office five days per week and travel as required for the position.
Commitment to complete the full two-year program.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal and factual research using online databases and other resources, such as Westlaw and Lexis.
Draft, edit, and proofread legal documents, correspondence, and memoranda.
Organize and maintain case files and records in electronic databases and physical files.
Assist attorneys with trial preparation, discovery, and interviews, including detailed note-taking.
Manage and prioritize multiple assignments under deadlines.
Collaborate with attorneys and staff in a fast-paced office environment.
Provide administrative and logistical support to case teams, including document management and other tasks as needed.