Asbestos Defense Litigation Paralegal

Title         :  Asbestos Defense Litigation Paralegal

Duration   :  6 Months Contract

Location   :  New York, NY - Fully onsite for first 2–3 months of training; hybrid thereafter

Job Description:

• Client is seeking an experienced Asbestos Defense Litigation Paralegal to support attorneys handling pending asbestos-related litigation matters. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in New York insurance defense litigation, direct experience supporting asbestos cases, and a thorough understanding of New York civil litigation procedures and court requirements.
• This role will provide comprehensive litigation support throughout the case lifecycle, including drafting pleadings and discovery responses, preparing discovery demands and motions, processing authorizations, coordinating document production, maintaining case files, managing litigation deadlines, and supporting electronic filing and document management activities.
• The successful candidate must be detail-oriented, highly organized, and capable of managing multiple litigation matters and deadlines while producing accurate, timely, and well-written legal documents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Litigation Support and Legal Drafting
• Assist attorneys with the preparation and management of pending asbestos defense litigation matters.
• Draft, review, and prepare pleadings, discovery responses, discovery demands, motions, and other litigation-related legal documents.
• Prepare and draft good-faith letters and related correspondence concerning outstanding discovery, deficiencies, and efforts to resolve discovery issues.
• Review legal documents for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with applicable procedural requirements.
• Conduct legal research and cite-check briefs and other legal submissions as requested.
• Discovery and Document Production
• Manage extensive document collection, review, organization, and production in response to discovery requests.
• Draft and coordinate responses to discovery demands served on or by the Company.
• Process and manage authorizations, including reviewing documentation, tracking outstanding items, and coordinating follow-up as needed.
• Analyze documents, organize supporting materials, and catalog exhibits for litigation use.
• Coordinate with attorneys, internal business units, and management personnel to obtain records and information responsive to discovery requests.
• Track outstanding discovery items and help ensure complete, accurate, and timely responses.
• Case Management and Procedural Compliance
• Maintain organized and up-to-date electronic and physical case files, as applicable.
• Monitor case status, litigation activity, and key deadlines across assigned matters.
• Review and apply the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) and other applicable court and procedural rules relating to deadlines, filings, and submission requirements.
• Calendar and monitor court deadlines, discovery obligations, and other critical dates to support timely case progression.
• Initiate and maintain legal holds through designated software and coordinate with relevant personnel to support preservation of potentially relevant documents and information.
• Escalate missing information, approaching deadlines, and potential procedural issues to the appropriate attorney.
• Electronic Filing and Document Management
• Maintain electronic document repositories and use document review and litigation support platforms to organize and retrieve case materials.
• Prepare and submit court filings through applicable electronic filing systems, including the New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system and PACER, as appropriate to the matter.
• Ensure documents are properly organized, named, and maintained in accordance with established case management procedures.
• General Litigation Support
• Coordinate with attorneys and internal stakeholders to support efficient case preparation and ongoing litigation activities.
• Manage multiple assignments while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Perform additional litigation support duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Direct experience supporting asbestos-related defense litigation matters.
• Strong background in New York insurance defense litigation and familiarity with New York civil litigation practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience drafting discovery responses, discovery demands, pleadings, motions, and other litigation documents.
• Experience preparing good-faith letters and correspondence related to discovery disputes or outstanding discovery obligations.
• Strong understanding of discovery processes, document production, case management, and litigation deadlines.
• Working knowledge of the New York CPLR and applicable court rules, including calendaring and filing requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and professional legal correspondence and documentation.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, internal business partners, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience processing litigation-related authorizations.
• Experience with legal hold software and electronic document repositories or document review platforms.
• Experience with NYSCEF and PACER electronic filing systems.
• Experience conducting legal research and cite-checking briefs and other legal submissions.