Docket Specialist

Summary

A Docket Specialist is responsible for the daily activities of a full-service Docket and Court Services Department including the filing, serving and retrieval of court documents (either physically or electronically), the processing of incoming court documents, docketing of relevant court dates & deadlines, running reports and providing procedural advice to attorneys and staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides docket and court services support to litigation attorneys, including research, retrieval, submission and/or filing of legal documents in City, State and Federal Courts or with government agencies.

• Completes all assigned docketing and calendaring work in a timely and accurate manner.

• Performs electronic court filings for state and federal district and appellate courts.

• Assists with procedural research assignments and other administrative projects.

• Arranges for issuance and service of summons and subpoenas.

• Works with outside vendors to retrieve docket sheets and pleadings.

• Provides information and answers procedural questions posed by attorneys, legal assistants and other support staff.

• Stays current on court procedure and rule changes.

• Enters upcoming court/due dates and related documents into our automated docketing system and reviews docketing records to ensure correct assessment of deadlines and accuracy of database.

• Screens and reviews incoming court documents and office correspondence in order to calculate and capture relevant dates into the Firm's calendar database/docketing system.

• Provides necessary follow-up to attorneys, legal assistants and secretaries regarding input of calendared events.

• Ensures that lawyers are notified of filing deadlines and court appearances.

• Monitors court's docket for the Firm's active cases.

• Maintains docket/calendar for Litigation teams.

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required

• Minimum 5 years combined experience in litigation as a docket/law clerk or as an attorney/law student.

• Strong knowledge of federal and state courts and agencies and associated rules.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite - specifically, Word & Excel, along with Adobe Acrobat, Outlook and PowerPoint.

• Excellent organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience.

• Prior experience in a law firm is preferred.

• Experience with rules-based calendaring software (e.g. CompuLaw, eDockets or ProLaw).

• Demonstrated familiarity with federal, state and local court systems, including electronic filing systems.

• Demonstrated familiarity with civil procedure.

Other Skills and Abilities:

In addition to the above, the following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• The use of good judgment and good interpersonal communication skills.

• Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills

• Works harmoniously and effectively with others as part of a team.

• A self-starter who desires to show ownership and commitment to the job.

• Exercises confidentiality and discretion.

• Works well under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities.

• Proofreads accurately

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer