Nursing Home Paralegal in Chicago, Illinois at Malman Law

Position Summary

The Nursing Home Paralegal is responsible for managing and advancing cases through all phases of active litigation, from initial pleadings through trial and resolution. This role involves handling discovery processes, drafting legal documents, managing case deadlines, preparing attorneys for depositions and court appearances, and coordinating with clients and witnesses. The Nursing Home Paralegal works collaboratively with attorneys and Legal Assistants to ensure procedural accuracy, strategic coordination, and high-quality client service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Litigation scheduling and calendaring reliability – experience with calendaring court dates, depositions, etc. with minimal attorney oversight.
• Deposition coordination from assignment through completion – handle deposition logistics after attorney direction independently, including issuing notices, coordinating witness availability, confirmation, scheduling preparation.
• Managing competing attorney requests and escalate priority conflicts – recognize when multiple assignments conflict and ask for prioritization.
• Client communication and call-back – comfortable answering client calls, returning callbacks within an expected timeframe, documenting communications, and identifying when attorney involvement is needed.
• Organization and attention to detail – self explanatory.
• BONUS: familiarity with plaintiff-side personal injury or litigation case-management and workflow.

Case Management & Workflow Oversight

• Maintain full oversight of assigned nursing home cases using SmartAdvocate or equivalent case management systems.
• Monitor all case deadlines, ensuring timely compliance with discovery, motion practice, disclosures, and court orders.
• Direct, delegate, and follow up on support tasks assigned to Litigation Legal Assistants to ensure task completion.

Drafting & Discovery

• Draft discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, motions, notices, and pre-trial documents in collaboration with handling attorneys.
• Review summarized medical records, discovery responses, and deposition transcripts submitted to EvenUp AI portal.
• Manage the full discovery process, including issuing, answering, tracking responses, document production, and compliance with applicable court orders.

Court & Attorney Support

• Ensure attorneys are fully prepared for depositions, mediations, pre-trial conferences, and trials by organizing orders, exhibits, and necessary documentation.
• Assist with the preparation of trial exhibits, notebooks, witness lists, deposition outlines, and trial logistics.
• Organize, update, and maintain all materials to ensure readiness for court proceedings.

Client, Expert, and Witness Coordination

• Maintain direct communication with clients, providing status updates and preparing them for key litigation milestones.
• Coordinate disclosures, scheduling, and preparation meetings with expert witnesses and lay witnesses.
• Lead client and witness preparation sessions for depositions and trial appearances.

SmartAdvocate Case Management & Reporting

• Ensure all events, documents, notes, and tasks are accurately recorded and updated in SmartAdvocate.
• Track case key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor litigation stage progression.
• Generate reports and litigation updates for internal case reviews and strategy discussions.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of Personal Injury and/or Nursing Home litigation processes, from complaint through trial.
• Strong legal drafting and writing skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines.
• High emotional intelligence and professional communication with clients, witnesses, and legal teams.
• Proficiency in SmartAdvocate and electronic court filing systems (Odyssey, CM/ECF, and local portals).
• Ability to work independently and manage workload under pressure.
• Empathy and compassion in dealing with injured clients and sensitive matters.
• Commitment to professional excellence, learning, and team collaboration.

Education & Experience

• Associate’s Degree, Paralegal Certificate, or equivalent legal education required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not mandatory.
• Minimum 3-5 years of litigation paralegal experience, with a strong preference for personal injury or nursing home litigation.
• Familiarity with AI legal tools (e.g., EvenUp AI) is a plus.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This position is on-site, Monday through Friday 9AM-5PM, at our Chicago, IL office.
• Must be able to work at a computer for prolonged periods.
• Occasional lifting of files, trial binders, or boxes up to 25 lbs may be required.
• Ability to work occasional overtime as needed to meet case deadlines or trial schedules.

Compensation & Benefits

• Position Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
• Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off (PTO).

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Malman Law is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as defined by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

Malman Law is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Illinois Human Rights Act, and Chicago’s Municipal Code. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact Human Resources.