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Entry Level Litigation Paralegal Jobs in Chicago, IL

Contact Government Services, LLC

Paralegal

Chicago, IL · On-site

Paralegal Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level Department: Legal As a CGS Paralegal, you will work under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor. You will provide litigation ...

Contact Government Services, LLC

Paralegal

Chicago, IL

$50K - $60K/yr

Paralegal Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level Department: Legal As a CGS Paralegal, you will work under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor. You will provide litigation ...

Watson Dwyer Inc.

Paralegal

Chicago, IL · On-site

$50/hr

This is a paralegal trainee job if you have a BA degree and an interest in a career in the world of ... entry-level role. * Immediate hire. * Starting point for growth in our corporate litigation firm.

All JobsLitigation Paralegal JobsEntry Level Litigation Paralegal JobsEntry Level Litigation Paralegal Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry Level Litigation Paralegal information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$37.6K

$70.6K

$102.6K

How much do entry level litigation paralegal jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level litigation paralegal in Chicago, IL is $70,616.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,200.00 and $80,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level litigation paralegal do?

An entry level litigation paralegal assists attorneys with tasks related to litigation, such as organizing case files, drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and helping prepare for trials. They may also manage discovery, file court documents, and communicate with clients and witnesses under attorney supervision. While responsibilities can vary by law firm, entry level paralegals typically focus on supporting the legal team and learning court procedures and legal processes.

What are some typical responsibilities of an entry level litigation paralegal during the discovery phase of a case?

As an entry-level litigation paralegal, you'll be heavily involved in the discovery phase, which includes organizing and reviewing documents, assisting attorneys with drafting discovery requests and responses, managing case files, and coordinating the exchange of information between parties. You'll also help prepare deposition summaries and may be responsible for maintaining databases of evidence and deadlines. This experience helps you develop a strong foundation in legal procedures and enhances your attention to detail—crucial skills for career growth in litigation support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level litigation paralegal, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Litigation Paralegal, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a foundational understanding of legal procedures, typically supported by a paralegal certificate or relevant degree. Familiarity with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), e-filing systems, and document management tools is often required. Strong written communication, time management, and the ability to work collaboratively are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure that legal teams are well-supported, deadlines are met, and casework is handled efficiently and accurately.

What is the difference between Entry Level Litigation Paralegal vs Litigation Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Litigation ParalegalLitigation Assistant
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or paralegal certificateHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, courtsLaw firms, courts, legal support offices
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, document preparation, case organizationScheduling, document management, administrative support
Common UsageUsed in legal settings for case support rolesOften used interchangeably with paralegal but more administrative

While both roles support litigation processes, Entry Level Litigation Paralegals focus more on legal research and case preparation, requiring specialized education. Litigation Assistants typically handle administrative tasks and support attorneys with scheduling and document management. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right position based on their skills and career goals.

How do I become an entry level litigation paralegal?

To become an entry-level litigation paralegal, candidates typically need a high school diploma or associate degree in paralegal studies or a related field. Gaining familiarity with legal terminology, court procedures, and legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis can be beneficial, along with strong organizational and communication skills. Some employers may prefer candidates with internship or clerical experience in a legal setting.

Is it hard to get an entry level litigation paralegal position?

Securing an entry-level litigation paralegal position can be competitive, but candidates with relevant education, such as a paralegal certificate or degree, and strong organizational skills often find opportunities. Gaining experience through internships or volunteering can improve chances of employment in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Litigation Paralegal jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Litigation Paralegal jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Entry Level Litigation Paralegal jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Entry Level Litigation Paralegal job openings:

Entry Level Litigation Paralegal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Litigation Paralegal job openings in Chicago, IL as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 82% In-person, 9% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,616 per year, or $34 per hour.

Paralegal

Contact Government Services, LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Paralegal
Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level
Department: Legal
 
As a CGS Paralegal, you will work under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor. You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS brings motivated, highly skilled, and creative people together to solve the government's most dynamic problems with cutting-edge technology. To carry out our mission, we are seeking candidates who are excited to contribute to government innovation, appreciate collaboration, and can anticipate the needs of others. Here at CGS, we offer an environment in which our employees feel supported, and we encourage professional growth through various learning opportunities.
 
Skills and attributes for success:
- Collects court ordered restitutions and fines of criminal and civil defendants.
- Drafts legal documents, and files legal documents using the Electronic Court Filing system (ECF),
- Prepares garnishments, liens, and other legal process documents for collection.
- Sends demand letters, files liens, run credit reports, prepares and submits subpoenas.
- Manages and tracks collection activity in an internal database.
- Communicates with and coordinates collection activity with AUSAs in the Monetary Penalties Unit (MPU).
- Completes fact research in public information databases and other research databases to gather information and identify assets.
- Prepares legal documents using templates, such as motions, memoranda, subpoenas, correspondence, discovery documents and other similar documents and forms.
- Prepares all recurring legal documents in conformance with rules governing their style and format.
- Performs routine document center support functions, such as photocopying, delivering items, assembling notebooks, including pulling file copies of documents, tabbing binders, numbering, binding, labeling, re[1]filing documents and shelving, packing boxes and preparing them for shipment, bate stamping, retrieving case materials, completing log sheet, answer phones, logging messages, and faxing information.
- Provides trial preparation assistance to AUSAs by independently compiling trial notebooks, preparing jury instructions, drafting witness, and exhibit lists.
- Opening new case files, closing case files, organizing case files, and record material for disposition or storage.
- Maintains calendar of active cases and assigned AUSAs by scheduling appointments, interviews, conferences, providing reminders of commitments and court appearances.
- Assist AUSAs in producing discovery to defense council.
- Maintains, manages, and organizes case material utilizing software, including databases, spreadsheets, and word processing applications.
- Sorts incoming mail and prepares outgoing mail including packaging boxes for shipment.
- Filing pleadings using the Electronic Court Filing system (ECF).
- Produces a variety of written documents using templates ad materials utilizing a range of office software applications.
- Completes all aspects of travel in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) and Department of Justice (DOJ) policies, including traveling arrangements, submitting authorizations, completing vouchers, and submitting local mileage claims.
- Sorts incoming mail and prepares outgoing mail including packaging boxes for shipment.
 
Qualifications:
- Requires paralegal certificate, JD, or currently attending an ABA-accredited law school, having completed at least one year of study.
- One year of legal training or legal experience or at least two years of college education may be substituted for the paralegal certificate.
- Additionally, at least one year of litigation paralegal experience or project experience (as related to the task order) is required; trial experience very helpful.
- Automated litigation support experience valued. Must have basic legal knowledge, including knowledge of standard legal citation to cite check legal motions and memorandum and must have sufficient experience with legal research tools such as LEXIS and Westlaw to perform basic legal research.
- Requires excellent written and oral communication skills, thorough knowledge and hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, imaging, and hardware systems.
- Role also requires basic familiarity with ESI tools and knowledge of eDiscovery procedures and resources.
- Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work under extreme pressure will be very important.
 
Our commitment:
Contact Government Services (CGS) strives to simplify and enhance government bureaucracy through the optimization of human, technical, and financial resources. We combine cutting-edge technology with world-class personnel to deliver customized solutions that fit our client's specific needs. We are committed to solving the most challenging and dynamic problems.
 
For the past seven years, we've been growing our government contracting portfolio, and along the way, we've created valuable partnerships by demonstrating a commitment to honesty, professionalism, and quality work.
 
Here at CGS we value honesty through hard work and self-awareness, professionalism in all we do, and to deliver the best quality to our consumers mending those relations for years to come.
 
We care about our employees. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive benefits package.
- Health, Dental, and Vision
- Life Insurance
- 401k
- Flexible Spending Account (Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter)
- Paid Time Off and Observance of State/Federal Holidays
 
Contact Government Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
 
Join our team and become part of meaningful government innovation!
 
Explore additional job opportunities with CGS on our Job Board:
https://cgsfederal.com/join-our-team/
 
For more information about CGS please visit: https://www.cgsfederal.com or contact:
Email: [email protected]

#CJ
 
$50,000 - $60,000 a year
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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