Family Law Paralegal

Family Law Overview

The global Family Law team has been independently rated as a market leader in Tier 1 categories of Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for many years. The department advises on all areas of family law, with a particular focus on the financial issues that arise when relationships are formalised or break down. Much of the work involves the negotiation and settlement of complex financial cases, often with an international perspective and further complicated by tax or trust issues. 

The family law team is supported by in-house experts in other areas of the firm including Private Client & Tax, Trust Litigation, Corporate and Employment. They provide detailed advice at short notice for clients who are looking for the best location to file proceedings.

Another area of special interest is the resolution of disputes over children, including issues of custody, access, and the problems that may arise when one parent wishes to move and/or live abroad with the children. In addition, advice is given to trustees on the ramifications of a family member's marriage or separation. The global team has a very strong pre-nuptials practice, often with international elements.

The Role

The Family Law Paralegal will work within Withers’ New York Dispute Resolution Department, providing support to attorneys in the firm’s Family Law practice across all phases of both contentious and non-contentious matters. The role involves managing all aspects of small- and large-scale cases, as well as other complex matters, including drafting statements, affidavits, pleadings, and client correspondence; assisting with the discovery process; and preparing, assembling, and organizing supporting documents and exhibits for court appearances and related filings. Additional responsibilities may include proofreading and legal and factual cite-checking of briefs, maintaining electronic and hard-copy case files, and coordinating with partners, associates, and clients to obtain and manage case-related information. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively while prioritizing and managing multiple cases, projects, and deadlines.

Primary Responsibilities and Functions:

• Assist with the drafting of a wide range of family law–related documents, including correspondence, pleadings, statements, and subpoenas; proofread and format documents in accordance with local rules; file documents and effectuate service on required parties. The role requires significant experience and expertise with uncontested divorce filings and net worth statements, as well as proficiency in e-filing and familiarity with the county clerk’s office
• Coordinate and provide support for client meetings, witness preparation, court conferences, hearings, and other events as necessary, including compiling documents and assistance with managing the logistical details
• Perform factual research, including analysis of documents
• Manage and maintain case calendar for the New York family law practice; track all deadlines and utilize the firm’s docketing software to calendar relevant deadlines for attorneys, clients, and all relevant parties
• Provide general support across various internal document management platforms as needed; maintain and organize case files, including the storage and management of both hard-copy and electronic documents on firmwide designated systems
• Ability to multitask and prioritize workload in accordance with competing deadlines
• On occasion, travel to various courthouses and other agencies to file, retrieve, and deliver paper copies to court clerk and other parties, as required

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Key Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Paralegal Certificate preferred but not required
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience as a Family Law Paralegal/exposure and experience in general commercial litigation practice area is a plus
• Travel and overtime may be necessary
• Experience with witness preparation and management
• Must possess strong technical skills and have an excellent working knowledge of Windows-based software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Proficiency in iManage, Elite, Milana docketing software, and CS Disco eDiscovery platform a plus but not required
• Fundamental proficiency in online research and internal resources (Westlaw and equivalents)
• Ability to navigate various electronic databases and document repositories
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, time management and planning skills; strong attention to detail
• Substantial experience with staging documents and supporting exhibits in preparation for attorneys’ review and approval for electronic filing
• Substantial experience with electronic filing through New York State Courts’ Electronic Filing (“NYSCEF”) system, including familiarity with filings via Family Legal Care’s Electronic Document Delivery Service (“EDDS”). Familiarity and experience with UCMS is a plus but not required
• Strong research, drafting, and verbal communication skills
• Excellent grammar, spelling, punctuation, form and style
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to work well independently, as well as within a team environment
• Ability and desire to work directly with clients, as well as the emotional intelligence and sensitivity required to work with clients with varying degrees of financial and technological proficiency.

The Dispute Resolution Practice 

Withers has defended the interests of successful individuals, businesses and brands for many years, pursuing matters swiftly and robustly where necessary. With over 180 lawyers across Europe, Asia Pacific, the US and the Caribbean, we have an established international dispute resolution practice acting in complex country-specific and multi-jurisdictional cases, which is well known, among other areas, in the art, sport, fashion, luxury assets and natural resources sectors. 

We represent a range of domestic and international clients – from high-net-worth individuals and their families to corporate entities and governments – on an array of personal, professional and business disputes, and we are recognised globally for our experience in complex, cross border litigation. Our practice areas include commercial litigation, contract disputes, asset recovery and enforcement, board and shareholder disputes, insolvency, fraud, international arbitration, public international law, tax controversy, media and reputation management, employment and regulatory, divorce and family, trusts and succession, white collar investigations, and professional negligence. With a disputes portfolio valued at $14 billion, we have also pioneered the use of arbitration and mediation in commercial, family and, more recently, trust disputes.

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself. 

For more information on Withers, please visit the following links: General Career Site, LinkedIn, About Us 

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

The firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at (203) 789-1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.