Lead Paralegal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.

At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to culture, community and equal opportunity. We are proud of our workplace culture, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

SUMMARY:

The Advanced Records Center (ARC) Lead Paralegal performs a variety of substantive legal work focused on the California Public Records Act (CPRA) for public agency clients. This position may be based out of any of the BBK offices. 

The Lead Paralegal works directly with public agency staff members and BBK relationship attorneys on all aspects of CPRA requests, which includes:

• Analyze CPRA requests and assisting public agency staff to determine the scope of records to be collected and reviewed.
• Create search parameters for the public agencies to conduct physical and electronic searches for records.
• Supervise review of records by ARC paralegals to identify responsive records and separate responsive records from exempt or privileged records.
• Develop and oversee quality assurance standards for the identification and redaction of personally identifiable information (PII), confidential information, and legally protected data, ensuring consistent application of privacy requirements, statutory exemptions, and client-specific protocols across all document review projects.
• Prepare written responses for the public agency client to provide to the requester, or sending responses directly to requesters if directed by the public agency.
• Track deadlines for providing written responses and productions of records for CPRA requests.
• Respond to questions from public agency staff and BBK relationship attorneys regarding the CPRA.
• Respond quickly to questions and concerns from public agency clients regarding CPRA requests.

The Lead Paralegal supervises the review of records received from public agency clients for CPRA requests, which includes the following tasks:

• Assign ARC Paralegals to conduct review of documents in the subject repositories.
• Provide the paralegal reviewers with copies of requests, any additional relevant information regarding the request and (if applicable) the public agency client’s directions/preferences.
• Set internal deadlines for paralegal reviewers to allow time for final reviews prior to productions.
  • Conduct a “quality control” (QC) final review of each batch of records to be produced to the client or requester.
  • Regularly provide feedback to ARC Paralegals regarding document reviews –
    • Answer questions;
    • Explain corrections that need to be made going forward; and
    • Share any new information from the client or relationship attorney regarding the CPRA request/document review.
  • Successfully manage a high-volume portfolio of concurrent records requests and document review projects by prioritizing competing deadlines, tracking project milestones, coordinating cross-functional resources, and ensuring timely, accurate, and legally compliant responses.

The Lead Paralegal also works closely with the BBK Practice Support team and public agency clients as follows:

• Coordinate the secure collection and transfer of records from client agencies using approved electronic file-sharing platforms, secure FTP sites, encrypted email, cloud-based repositories, or other authorized methods to facilitate timely review and processing.
• Collaborate with Practice Support and technical teams to coordinate the creation, configuration, and maintenance of document review databases, ensuring matters are properly organized and optimized for efficient review, production, and reporting.
• Coordinate with Practice Support on document productions and exports, providing detailed production specifications, validating deliverables, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring timely, accurate, and defensible productions to clients, requesters, or other authorized recipients.

Lead Paralegals need to understand the exemptions in the CPRA as well as other sections of California law that regulate disclosure of public agency records (i.e., certified payroll records, pursuant to Labor Code § 1776; building plans, pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 19851; peace officer records pursuant to Penal Code § 832.7; etc.). 

Lead Paralegals need to understand and use the following applications currently in use by BBK:

• The firm’s eDiscovery platforms
• Workflow Management software
• Kofax PDF; Microsoft products (Word, Excel, Outlook); iManage.

Lead Paralegals are the main BBK contact for public agency clients seeking help with CPRA requests. Therefore, Lead Paralegals need to develop good working relationships with public agency staff members, as well as with the BBK relationship attorneys.  Good working relationships result from responding quickly to emails from clients (and copying the BBK attorney); being positive and courteous in all communications with clients; providing accurate information; and helping clients deliver timely responses to CPRA requests.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent organizational, analytical and case management skills.
• Proficient in the use of a variety of technology both in-house programs and technology used by clients.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously, monitor statutory and client-driven deadlines, adapt to shifting priorities, and maintain meticulous attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Conduct other tasks as workflow necessitates.
• Ability to interact with clients and colleagues in a courteous and professional manner to provide case status and obtain necessary information.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to successfully pass the Association of eDiscovery Specialists Certification.

REQUIRED EDUCATION :

Position requires compliance with the Calif. Business & Professions Code §§6450-6456.  Applicant should possess a paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or accredited post-secondary institution.

The reasonably expected pay scale for this position seeking a Paralegal with 4 or more years of experience is $90,000 to $95,000 annually, non-exempt. The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s years of experience.  We encourage all interested candidates to apply.   

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.