The posting
OUR PROFILE:
King & Spalding is an international law firm representing a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100. Working across a highly integrated platform of more than 1,300 lawyers in 26 offices globally, the Firm helps leading companies advance complex business interests in more than 160 countries. The Firm’s International Disputes practice is widely recognised for its international arbitration and cross-border disputes work, with lawyers across key markets, including Singapore. The Singapore office serves as a regional hub for international arbitration in Asia and supports high-value disputes administered under leading arbitral rules, including SIAC and ICC.
REPORTS TO:
Director of Practice Management and Director of Administration.
WORK HOURS FOR POSITION:
The contracted working week, working Monday to Friday, will consist of 40 hours with starting hours to be confirmed. Due to the nature of the work associated with this position, it may require additional time beyond the standard 40-hour work week. Evening and weekend hours may be required at times.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under general supervision and according to established policies and procedures, the International Disputes Paralegal performs a variety of duties to assist lawyers and case teams in the Singapore office and across the Firm’s global International Disputes practice. This position provides paralegal support to lawyers handling complex international arbitration, cross-border litigation, enforcement and related disputes matters that involve French-speaking clients, French-language documents, and civil law issues. Accordingly, French language capability and civil law experience would be beneficial in supporting the team’s work and client-service needs.
The paralegal maintains positive contact with clients and observes confidentiality of client matters; organises and maintains case files, pleadings, submissions, exhibits, hearing materials, databases and lawyer notebooks; assists with filings and case management; supports preparation of written submissions, memorials, witness evidence and hearing bundles; coordinates with vendors and local counsel; assists at hearings and other proceedings; and performs other tasks required to support the team.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
“Essential functions” are primarily job duties that incumbents must be able to perform unassisted or with some reasonable support from the supervisor or lawyer on the team.
Candidate must be able to:
- Work independently.
- Work efficiently in an environment that is heavily computer based with all files being maintained both electronically and in hard copy.
- Follow and execute established client and team guidelines for case management.
- Follow the ethical requirements, confidentiality obligations and professional standards applicable to the jurisdiction in which employed and to the matters being handled.
Candidates will have the following responsibilities:
- Assist with preparation, drafting, cite-checking, formatting and finalisation of international arbitration filings, written submissions, memorials, witness statements, expert reports and related materials.
- Perform extensive footnote review, cite-checking and organisation of supporting documentary, factual and witness evidence required for lengthy submissions and hearing materials.
- Organise and maintain case documents, pleadings, correspondence, exhibits, authorities, filings, team databases, electronic data and document-management systems, including databases used to store, code, review and sort documents.
- Prepare document chronologies, factual summaries, exhibit lists, hearing indexes, witness materials and other case-management tools.
- Conduct factual and legal research to locate opinions, legal authorities, exhibits, reports, media articles and other information related to a matter.
- Maintain working knowledge of the arbitration process, including investor-state, international commercial, construction and domestic arbitration, and assist matters arising under major institutional and ad hoc rules, including SIAC, ICC, ICSID, PCA, UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICDR rules.
- Manage and organise large quantities of translations, including working closely with translation vendors and coordinating review of translated materials.
- Coordinate vendors providing translation, photocopying, binding, printing, electronic data, e-discovery, document-management and hearing-support services.
- Work with and assist experts, witnesses, local counsel, co-counsel and other case participants, including helping coordinate interviews, meetings, inspections, witness preparation and logistics.
- Assist with pre-hearing preparations and logistics, including preparation of hearing bundles, exhibit control, witness schedules, breakout-room materials, demonstratives and hearing-room setup.
- Assist at hearings, including hearings in Singapore or other locations that may last multiple weeks and may require extended hours or travel.
- Assist with post-hearing tasks, including organisation and shipment of hearing materials, maintaining final hearing records, coordinating transcript and exhibit updates, and supporting post-hearing submissions.
Supervise project assistants or other support staff as needed on large matters or time-sensitive projects.
SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Highly organised, detail-oriented and responsive, with the ability to manage numerous tasks and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Substantive familiarity with the arbitration process and experience supporting complex international disputes matters.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with clients, lawyers, staff, vendors, other case participants and all levels of personnel.
- Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a global team, including across offices, practice groups and time zones.
- Well-developed Microsoft Office skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and familiarity with document-management, collaboration and review platforms such as Teams, Relativity or similar platforms.
- Strong proofreading, cite-checking, research, organisational and analytical skills, with close attention to detail in written work product and case materials.
- Bachelor’s degree and approximately five or more years of litigation, arbitration or international disputes experience in a mid-to-large-size law firm or comparable professional environment required.
- Experience with onsite hearings, including international hearings, and the ability to work overtime, evenings and weekends when required.
- English fluency is required. French language capability, a law degree, and civil law experience are preferred, as the role supports international arbitration and cross-border disputes matters involving French-speaking clients, French-language documents, translated materials, and civil law issues.
- Keeps accurate time records, uses appropriate descriptions of work, and meets time entry deadlines.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.
