How to Be Litigation Support Attorney - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 17, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The increasing complexity of legal issues has created a need for more specialized attorneys, such as Litigation Support Attorneys. These attorneys are responsible for providing assistance to attorneys in the form of research, analysis, and technology-based services. In order to succeed in this role, a litigation support attorney must have the necessary knowledge in legal research, computer technology, and databases.

As a result, these attorneys are highly sought after by law firms and other legal organizations that require assistance in complex matters. By providing aid in the form of legal research and technology-based assistance, Litigation Support Attorneys help speed up the process of resolving cases, as well as helping lawyers gain an advantage in court proceedings.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming a litigation support attorney is to complete a four-year bachelor's degree program in a relevant field such as law, political science, or criminal justice.
Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). After completing a bachelor's degree, candidates must take and pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test is used to measure a candidate's aptitude for law school.
Attend Law School. After successfully passing the LSAT, the next step is to attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. During law school, students should focus their studies on litigation support, as this will give them an edge in the field.
Obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree. After completing law school, the candidate must pass the bar exam in order to become a licensed attorney. Once they have passed the bar exam, they will be awarded their Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Obtain Certification in Litigation Support. After obtaining a JD degree, candidates may choose to pursue a specialization in litigation support by taking additional courses or obtaining certification from an accredited organization. This certification can help attorneys stand out when applying for litigation support jobs.
Gain Experience. Once candidates have obtained the necessary education and certifications, they should look for opportunities to gain experience in the field. This could include internships, volunteer work, or shadowing an experienced attorney.
Apply for Jobs. After gaining the necessary experience, candidates should begin applying for jobs as a litigation support attorney. With the proper education and experience, it should be possible to find a position with an established firm or even start your own practice.

Litigation support attorneys provide a variety of services to support lawyers and clients in the legal process. These services help to ensure that cases are handled effectively, efficiently, and accurately. Effective and reliable litigation support attorneys can help to streamline the legal process, enabling lawyers to focus on the important parts of their case.

They provide services such as researching and analyzing legal documents, organizing evidence, preparing legal briefs and pleadings, and providing technical assistance. They also provide advice on strategy and tactics to attorneys and clients. Furthermore, they ensure that all parties involved in the case are compliant with the applicable laws and regulations.

The presence of a reliable and efficient litigation support attorney can be essential for ensuring a successful outcome.

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Job Description

Draft and respond to discovery requests, including document requests, interrogatories and requests for admissions.
Assist in the development and execution of litigation strategies.
Research and review legal documents, including pleadings, motions, briefs, contracts, and other related documents.
Monitor and update case status and progress, as well as track all litigation deadlines and provide reports to team members.
Assist with trial preparation, including witness preparation and exhibits.
Act as liaison between internal and external legal teams, clients, and other third parties.
Analyze legal documents for accuracy and completeness.
Prepare legal summaries and reports for internal and external use.
Provide advice and guidance on legal matters related to the case.
Provide assistance in the organization of case files and evidence.
Attend court hearings and trials, as necessary.
Manage legal costs and budgets associated with ongoing cases.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to analyze legal documents and provide accurate summaries.
Knowledge of civil and criminal litigation procedures, including discovery and motion practice.
Ability to work with a wide range of legal databases and software tools.
Exceptional research and writing skills.
Ability to organize large amounts of data and documents.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Strong analytical skills and problem-solving abilities.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.

Litigation support attorneys must possess a wide range of skills in order to provide effective legal support. The most important skill for a litigation support attorney is the ability to analyze and interpret legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, motions, and other legal documents related to the case. This requires the attorney to have an in-depth understanding of legal principles, as well as a strong knowledge of the law and relevant legal procedure.

litigation support attorneys must be able to effectively communicate with their clients, ensuring they understand the legal process and the implications of their decisions. Finally, they must be able to effectively collaborate with other members of the legal team to develop strategies for success. With these skills, a litigation support attorney can provide invaluable assistance in helping their clients navigate the complexities of the legal system.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in litigation support?
How have you used technology to streamline litigation support processes?
What strategies do you use to organize and manage large volumes of documents?
Describe a project where you provided successful litigation support.
What challenges have you faced when providing litigation support?
How do you stay up to date with the latest developments in the legal industry?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy when analyzing legal documents?
Describe your experience in developing litigation databases and databases of legal documents.
How do you ensure that your research and analysis is timely, accurate and complete?
What experience do you have in coordinating with other members of a legal team on litigation support projects?

Common Tools in Industry

Deposition Support Tools. These tools help attorneys prepare for and present deposition testimony, including tools to organize and review deposition transcripts and videos, document management and collaboration tools, and virtual deposition platforms. (e. g. CaseFleet)
Document Review Tools. These tools assist attorneys in efficiently reviewing and analyzing documents in the discovery process. (e. g. Relativity)
Legal Research Tools. These tools allow attorneys to quickly search through legal documents and case law to find relevant information. (e. g. Westlaw)
Court Filing Tools. These tools provide attorneys with a streamlined way to file motions and other legal documents with the court. (e. g. CourtFiling. net)
Case Management Tools. These tools allow attorneys to manage cases, track deadlines, and collaborate with their team on case tasks. (e. g. Clio)
Accounting and Billing Tools. These tools help attorneys manage their finances and client billing more efficiently. (e. g. FreshBooks)
Evidence Management Tools. These tools assist attorneys in organizing and tracking evidence, including photographs, videos, documents, and other materials. (e. g. CaseLines)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Bar Association
International Bar Association
American Association for Justice
National Association of Legal Assistants
National Academy of Legal Arts and Sciences
Association of Legal Administrators
International Association of Litigation Support Professionals
National Association for Legal Support Professionals
American College of Trial Lawyers
American Academy of Trial Lawyers

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Common Important Terms

Litigation. The process of settling a legal dispute or claim through a court trial or other means such as arbitration or mediation.
Discovery. The process of obtaining evidence and information from the opposing party in a lawsuit.
Deposition. A sworn out-of-court testimony by a witness or party to a lawsuit.
Motion Practice. The filing of motions in court to either set a hearing or schedule the next steps in a legal proceeding.
Litigation Strategy. A plan of action to pursue or defend a claim in litigation.
Court Filings. The filing of documents and paperwork with a court to initiate or respond to a lawsuit.
Pleadings. The initial documents filed in a lawsuit that state the claims and defenses of each party involved.
Legal Research. The process of researching applicable laws and cases related to a given legal issue.
Expert Testimony. Testimony from an expert witness during a trial or deposition that provides knowledge on a specific issue.
Trial Preparation. The process of preparing for a trial, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing legal documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Litigation Support Attorney?

A Litigation Support Attorney is a legal professional who provides technical and administrative assistance to attorneys and their clients involved in civil litigation.

What tasks does a Litigation Support Attorney perform?

Tasks performed by a Litigation Support Attorney can include researching legal issues, creating presentations and documents, summarizing depositions and trial testimony, creating databases, and preparing exhibits.

What qualifications are required to become a Litigation Support Attorney?

A Law Degree, admission to the Bar of the jurisdiction in which the attorney practices, and specialized knowledge of the litigation process are all necessary qualifications for becoming a Litigation Support Attorney.

What are the average salaries of Litigation Support Attorneys?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Litigation Support Attorneys in 2019 was $73,790. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and other factors.

What types of organizations employ Litigation Support Attorneys?

Litigation Support Attorneys are employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other organizations involved in litigation.

Web Resources

How to Become a Litigation Lawyer - Lawyeredu.org www.lawyeredu.org
Litigation | Office of the General Counsel - Harvard University ogc.harvard.edu
Litigation Skills Program | University of Miami School of Law ... www.law.miami.edu