Introduction to Litigation Support Specialist
The legal industry has been rapidly changing over the years, and litigation support has become an essential service. A litigation support specialist is a professional who provides support to legal professionals during the litigation process. They are responsible for managing and organizing documents, investigating and analyzing data, and creating reports.
As a recent graduate, if you’re interested in the legal industry but don’t want to become an attorney, a career as a litigation support specialist could be a perfect fit for you.
Career Values, Traits, Skills
To be successful in this career, you need to possess some essential values, traits, and skills, such as:
- Detail-oriented: A litigation support specialist must be meticulous in their work and pay attention to every detail.
- Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of legal and e-discovery software tools like Relativity, Concordance, iPro, or Ringtail is necessary. In addition, the role requires programming skills to enable the handling of data.
- Analytical skills: Ability to investigate, analyze, and interpret data.
- Communication skills: Good communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary to collaborate with other team members within the legal team.
- Multi-tasking skills: Able to manage multiple cases and tasks at the same time.
Career path
A litigation support specialist can start their career by working as an assistant in the legal department. You will need to have excellent communication and organization skills to work in a legal environment. After getting some experience and developing more technical skills, you can then move on to more senior roles, such as lead litigation support specialist or team lead.
Salary range
The salary range for a litigation support specialist varies depending on the location and the type of company you’re working for. According to Payscale, the average annual salary is around $65,000 per year. However, this can increase, depending on your experience and performance.
Tips for Success
To be successful in this career, it’s essential to stay informed of the latest trends in litigation support. Here are some tips to help you succeed as a litigation support specialist:
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Continually improve your skills: Attend courses, workshops, and seminars to gain information and improve your technical and analytical skills.
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Network and build relationships: Attend industry events, meet with other legal professionals, and join relevant professional groups.
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Stay organized: This role requires extensive organization skills. Keep documents organized and up-to-date, and communicate progress regularly.
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Be innovative: Embrace new technology, and look for ways to streamline and improve processes.
References
- Discovery Resources: Career Path for Litigation Support Specialist
- Relativity: What is Litigation Support?
- Payscale: Litigation Support Specialist Salary
