Dickstein Shapiro’s Paralegal Program prides itself on client service and team-work. Our Paralegals play an integral role within the five practice groups and 14 sub-sections. They are able to develop an expertise in specific practice areas in addition to being cross-trained in other areas which allows us to effectively utilize our staff and deliver high-quality, cost efficient services to our clients.

Our multi-tiered Paralegal Program is comprised of five levels:

Paralegal Specialists
Paralegal Specialists have more than 15 years of experience in a specific practice area and are able to assist attorneys at a higher level, with less supervision, thereby offering our clients with a more cost efficient alternative.

Senior Paralegals
Senior Paralegals provide attorneys with an advanced level of support on complex assignments. These very capable individuals require minimal supervision and often take an active leadership role in case management. They meet and exceed the professional standard of the paralegal, providing substantive legal support to our attorneys.

Paralegals
Paralegals have one or more years of experience and assist attorneys in various areas including factual research and analysis, discovery, trial preparation and attendance, due diligence, cite checks, and administrative filings. 

Junior Paralegals
Junior Paralegals are recent college graduates who perform basic paralegal tasks as they learn the necessary skills to advance to the next level. Junior Paralegals often also aspire to attend law school and are asked for a minimum two-year commitment.

Project Assistants
Project Assistants are typically college students working under the supervision of more senior paralegals on the task, such as bates-labeling, quality checks, database updates and basic research. This gives them the opportunity to see first hand what is required of a paralegal.

We also have Legal Editors on staff and an in-house translator who provide an added benefit to our clients, attorneys and staff.

Paralegals are offered other opportunities to make the most of their time at the firm. Through Dickstein Shapiro University, the firm’s premier training program, we provide a comprehensive training opportunity for our Paralegals in both professional and personal skill development. Paralegals are trained on the most up to date document management systems to enable the firm to manage its large complex cases effectively and efficiently. We have also utilized the newest technology in other non-litigation practice areas.

Paralegals are an integral part of our Pro Bono program which provides them the opportunity to work up to 50 hours per year on a Pro Bono case or at one the many agencies the firm supports. Our Paralegals are offered a unique opportunity in the form of an Incentive Pay Reward which recognizes those who exceed the billable hours requirement.

The firm seeks to hire the best and the brightest Paralegals, paying particular attention to those individuals who are the correct fit with our unique firm culture which promotes a healthy work/life balance. We seeks individuals who are highly motivated, possess a bachelors degree (although we will consider commensurate years of experience in specific areas) and excellent organization, communication and technical skills. This approach to our hiring practice has aided in our ability to provide excellent client services, outstanding teamwork and right balance that makes the firm a great place to work.