Job Details for Paralegal (Complex Cases)
| Court Name/Organization | New York Southern District Court |
| Location | New York, NY |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 09/30/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | Up to CL 25 |
| Salary | Not specified |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://nysd.uscourts.gov/about/employment |
| Announcement Number | 25-16 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The Paralegal works directly under the supervision of law clerks serving on a set of complex insolvency cases. The Paralegal provides a wide variety of legal support and keeps the Judge and law clerks informed of case progress. The Paralegal performs administrative tasks such as calendaring and monitoring deadlines. The Paralegal also performs case management responsibilities, including using legal terminology, procedures, and documents, finalizing documents for filing, independently reviewing and preparing responses to certain types of motions, generating statistical reports, researching legal questions, and preparing memoranda.
- Assists with organization of case materials and work product, including use of databases, imaging systems and other computer-based technology.
- Reviews legal documents submitted to the court for completeness and accuracy. Responds to questions related to the status and scheduling of cases. Conducts legal research using source material or the internet.
- Composes and prepares routine correspondence, procedural orders, and documents that may require substantial research or analysis. Identifies emergency or unique matters.
- Tracks and monitors calendars, filings, deadlines, and hearings dates. Reviews daily reports (electronic and paper) to identify new filings. Monitors caseload organizes filings and correspondence related to cases, logs motions and other actions, updates case lists, and circulates materials to Judge and law clerks. Compiles and arranges information and data and prepares required periodic reports regarding court and non-court activities. Monitors compliance with court orders, initiates appropriate action as necessary.
- Maintains working group’s information storage and filing systems (electronic and paper) for case filings, correspondence, publications, data, forms, and other documents.
- Composes non-routine documents that require substantial research and analysis. Proofreads documents and checks citations before submission to judge.
- Performs legal research and analysis and communicates results to case team or judge orally or in writing, drafts recommendations for resolution.
- Ability to travel when required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent. To qualify for CL 24 - CL 25, applicant must have one year of specialized experience. For all classification levels, minimum experience may be substituted with one of the following educational accomplishments:
- Completion of the requirements for an associate’s degree from an accredited school in a related legal field such as paralegal studies, pre-law, or criminal justice;
- Completion of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in a related legal field such as paralegal studies, pre-law, or criminal justice; or
- A current paralegal certificate from an accredited provider.
* A college degree is strongly preferred. Prior paralegal or legal experience handling complex litigation or bankruptcy matters is highly desirable.
The applicant must have an aptitude and willingness to work with complex issues and procedures. The applicant must possess excellent organizational and time management skills, sound judgment and an ability to maintain all chambers work interactions and work product confidential. The applicant must also display strong analytical and research abilities, and exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate detailed and complex information to others. A thorough knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, MS Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Word Perfect is also required.
Given the criticality of the case management and calendaring process, the applicant must have a flexible work schedule and have a work history reflecting dependability. The ability to work eight hours per day, five days a week, and additional hours as needed is necessary.
Specialized Experience
Progressively responsible experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical or administrative procedures that demonstrated ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involved the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. Such experience is encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.
Specialized work experience attained outside the Federal Judiciary may be creditable, but that experience must be documented on Form AO 78 to be evaluated.
Employee Benefits
- Paid annual & sick leave
- 11 paid holidays
- Employer subsidized health insurance
- Group life insurance
- Supplemental vision/dental insurance
- Retirement benefits plan (FERS)
- Thrift savings plan (TSP)
- Flexible spending accounts
- Transit subsidy program (pursuant to eligibility requirements)
- Onsite fitness center
- Pre-tax benefit programs
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
Miscellaneous
The Paralegal works directly under the supervision of law clerks serving on a set of complex insolvency cases. The Paralegal provides a wide variety of legal support and keeps the Judge and law clerks informed of case progress. The Paralegal performs administrative tasks such as calendaring and monitoring deadlines. The Paralegal also performs case management responsibilities, including using legal terminology, procedures, and documents, finalizing documents for filing, independently reviewing and preparing responses to certain types of motions, generating statistical reports, researching legal questions, and preparing memoranda.
- Assists with organization of case materials and work product, including use of databases, imaging systems and other computer-based technology.
- Reviews legal documents submitted to the court for completeness and accuracy. Responds to questions related to the status and scheduling of cases. Conducts legal research using source material or the internet.
- Composes and prepares routine correspondence, procedural orders, and documents that may require substantial research or analysis. Identifies emergency or unique matters.
- Tracks and monitors calendars, filings, deadlines, and hearings dates. Reviews daily reports (electronic and paper) to identify new filings. Monitors caseload organizes filings and correspondence related to cases, logs motions and other actions, updates case lists, and circulates materials to Judge and law clerks. Compiles and arranges information and data and prepares required periodic reports regarding court and non-court activities. Monitors compliance with court orders, initiates appropriate action as necessary.
- Maintains working group’s information storage and filing systems (electronic and paper) for case filings, correspondence, publications, data, forms, and other documents.
- Composes non-routine documents that require substantial research and analysis. Proofreads documents and checks citations before submission to judge.
- Performs legal research and analysis and communicates results to case team or judge orally or in writing, drafts recommendations for resolution.
- Ability to travel when required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Application Info
To be considered for this position, please submit your resume detailing your education and work experience, a cover letter and an AO78 Application for Federal Employment. The Application for Federal Employment (AO78).
The cover letter must indicate the position for which you are applying, including the vacancy number, and identify how your education and/or experience relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Only applications submitted via email will be accepted. It is preferred for the applications to be submitted in a single PDF document, and for candidates to include the vacancy number and position title in the subject field of the email containing the application. Applications submitted as zip files, cloud files and/or links will not be accepted. Applications that do not conform to the above procedures will not be considered. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please submit your application to: Careers@nysd.uscourts.gov
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.