Contract Paralegal / Field Litigation Representative

1099 Project Engagement | Field-Based / On-Site

Conrad & Scherer, LLP is seeking an experienced and highly organized Senior Paralegal to support our legal team on a specific litigation matter. This is a 1099 independent contractor/project-based engagement and is not a permanent or traditional employee position.

The successful candidate will work directly with the firm's attorneys and legal team and will play an important role in communicating with community members who are parties to the litigation. A significant component of the position will involve conducting intake and follow-up calls with individuals regarding their health-related experiences and concerns, gathering relevant information, and preparing clear, organized summaries for the legal team.

The position will also involve traveling to community locations and other project locations to serve as an on-site representative of the legal team. The ideal candidate will be comfortable meeting with community members in person, establishing trust and rapport, answering questions within the scope of the role, gathering information, and communicating developments back to the attorneys.

This position requires significant interaction with individuals who may be dealing with sensitive personal, family, health, and legal issues. Exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment are essential.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct intake and follow-up calls with community members who are parties to the litigation.
• Speak directly with individuals regarding their health-related experiences, symptoms, treatment history, concerns, and other information relevant to their claims.
• Obtain detailed information through thoughtful and organized interviews while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Prepare clear, concise, and organized written summaries of intake calls and other communications for review by the firm's attorneys.
• Identify important facts, inconsistencies, unanswered questions, and areas requiring additional attorney follow-up.
• Conduct follow-up communications with individuals to obtain additional information or clarification as directed by the legal team.
• Maintain detailed records of communications, interviews, follow-ups, outstanding requests, and case status.
• Travel to community locations and other project locations as needed to meet with community members and serve as an on-site representative of the legal team.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with community members and other individuals involved in the litigation.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.
• Serve as a professional point of contact for the legal team while working in the field and escalate legal or substantive issues to the appropriate attorney.
• Assist attorneys with organizing information gathered from community members and incorporating that information into litigation files and case materials.
• Review and organize documents, questionnaires, correspondence, and other information provided by individuals.
• Assist with preparation of case summaries, chronologies, interview summaries, exhibits, and other litigation-related materials.
• Coordinate with attorneys, paralegals, case managers, and other members of the legal team regarding information gathered in the field.
• Work independently while maintaining consistent communication with the firm's attorneys regarding priorities, developments, and issues requiring attention.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive personal, health-related, and legal information.
• Perform other case-support and field-related duties as requested by the legal team.

Candidate Requirements

• 10+ years of paralegal experience, preferably supporting complex litigation.
• Significant experience working directly with clients, witnesses, claimants, or other individuals involved in litigation.
• Previous experience conducting client or witness interviews, intake calls, fact gathering, or similar information-gathering activities.
• Strong understanding of litigation processes and the role of a paralegal in supporting attorneys.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to conduct thoughtful, organized conversations with individuals regarding sensitive subjects.
• Exceptional interpersonal and "soft" skills are required. The successful candidate must be personable, patient, empathetic, professional, and able to establish trust quickly.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals who may be frustrated, emotional, distrustful, or dealing with difficult personal circumstances.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to ask appropriate follow-up questions without leading or influencing an individual's responses.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to take a lengthy conversation and distill it into an accurate, concise, and useful summary for an attorney.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a high volume of individuals, communications, documentation, and follow-up tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to recognize important facts and issues and appropriately bring them to the attention of the legal team.
• Strong computer skills and ability to efficiently use case-management, document-management, email, and other technology systems.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage responsibilities without constant supervision.
• Willingness and ability to travel to community locations and other project locations as required.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel as necessary for the engagement.
• Ability to work in the field and adapt to different communities, environments, and schedules.
• Previous experience with mass tort, toxic tort, environmental litigation, personal injury, complex litigation, class actions, or other high-volume litigation is a plus.
• Experience working with community-based litigation or large groups of clients or claimants is a plus.

What We're Looking For

This is not a traditional desk-based paralegal position. We are looking for someone who can serve as a trusted representative of the legal team in the field and become an effective bridge between the attorneys and the individuals involved in the litigation.

The successful candidate should be:

• An exceptional communicator who can make people feel comfortable and heard.
• Personable and approachable, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• A strong listener who can gather detailed information without influencing or leading the individual.
• Highly organized and capable of managing information across a large number of individuals.
• Experienced and mature, with the judgment necessary to recognize when an issue needs to be elevated to an attorney.
• Compassionate and professional, particularly when discussing sensitive personal and health-related issues.
• Clear and concise in writing, with the ability to turn interviews and conversations into useful attorney summaries.
• Proactive and resourceful, with the ability to identify what information is needed and take the necessary steps to obtain it.
• Comfortable working independently and representing the firm professionally in the field.
• Adaptable and comfortable traveling, meeting people in their communities, and working in different environments.
• Trustworthy and discreet when handling confidential personal and legal information.
• Comfortable working directly with attorneys and taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.

Engagement Details

This is a 1099 independent contractor/project engagement supporting Conrad & Scherer, LLP on a specific litigation matter.

This is not a permanent employee position. The engagement is project-based and will continue for the duration of the firm's need on the matter, subject to project requirements and performance.

The position is ON-SITE / FIELD-BASED and is not a remote or work-from-home position.

The contractor will be expected to travel to community locations and other project locations as needed to meet with community members and represent the legal team in the field.

The anticipated workload may vary depending on the needs of the matter. The ideal candidate should have flexibility to work within a deadline-driven litigation environment and adjust hours and travel as project needs require.

Work Arrangement: This is not a remote or work-from-home position.

Travel: Travel to community and project locations will be required.

Equal Opportunity

Conrad & Scherer, LLP is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Pay: $30.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person