Managing Attorney

New York, NY

Summary

The Managing Attorney will be responsible for providing the firm with a high level of procedural analysis in state and federal courts, reviewing filings as to form and content, and providing expertise and guidance to attorneys on litigation court rules, civil procedure, filing, and calculating deadlines. Work closely with and provide oversight to the regional offices to ensure compliance with procedural rules and firm wide litigation calendar and case docketing. 

Primary Responsibilities and/or Essential Functions

• Provide direction to and collaborate with other members of the Managing Attorney’s Office to maintain litigation docket and calendar.
• Provide guidance, advice and training to attorneys with respect to policy and procedure in New York State and Federal Courts and advise attorneys on court rules and civil procedure, including court and judge research at the direction of attorneys as well as advise attorneys on motion practice.
• Work closely with the Litigation Support Services to establish and maintain a Firm-wide calendar and case docketing.
• Responsible for the Firm’s master litigation calendar, including setting up notification processes and individual attorney calendars with Litigation Support Services. Prepare additional calendar reports upon requests.
• Coordinate and if necessary, perform court services functions (i.e., retrieving court documents, reviewing and filing documents and coordinating process servers).
• Responsible for filing protocols in assigned courts.  Proficient in all filing rules, procedures and judge’s individual practices. Work with Associate Managing Clerks to communicate the deadlines to the litigation teams in advance, coordinating the staff and resources needed for timely filing, confirming confidential material has been redacted, reviewing the filing for both content and format compliance with court rules, recommending corrections to the responsible attorneys, submitting a correct filing to the court, and completing the process with the distribution of courtesy copies, communications to the litigation team and other procedures.
• Keep current on industry standards and determine if procedures need to be updated. Read NYLJ, E-Law, and New York Case Tracking databases for activity in firm litigation.
• Manage all case-specific information in responsible jurisdictions and assist regional offices as necessary.
• Monitor case progress in assigned courts, obtain decisions and orders, obtain docket updates and communicate case status change to responsible attorney.
• Coordinate work projects with other members of the Managing Attorney’s Office and regional offices. (Docket audit, outstanding motion lists, appeals list, business development list).
• Responsible for gathering, maintaining and disseminating information on recommended counsel and vendors.
• Review and organize litigation materials and resources to allow efficient access and reuse of materials by attorneys.
• Use research platforms to provide high-level legal research with respect to procedural and strategic issues across many jurisdictions.
• Oversee and assist with mentoring and training of junior team members and the preparation and presentation of Continuing Legal Education sessions for the New York litigators
• Develop efficient procedures and communications, which streamline processes and support various department needs.
• Review daily court filing alerts for client and business development purposes and if request, compile a daily email notice of new filings.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proficient in researching rules and procedures in State and Federal court.
• Proficient in searching and retrieving information from court-related databases (e.g. Courtlink, PACER, CM/ECF, NYSCEF, eLaw, CourtAlert) and other on-line sources of case information.
• Possess excellent customer service, communication and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of Compulaw or equivalent highly preferable.
• Law firm or Law Clerk in State and/or Federal court experience is preferred. 

Education/Certifications

• JD and at least 5+ years of litigation experience (General Litigation, CCL, BSL, etc.) or 8+ years of experience within a MAO at a peer or other “Big Law” firm required.