Sr Paralegal

Position Title: Senior Paralegal, Global Litigation Position Location: Hershey, PA This position can be 100% REMOTE COVID–19 Vaccine Safety Mandate This position requires that you must be fully vaccinated for COVID–19 (even if working remotely) and present proof of vaccination before beginning employment. If you receive an offer of employment, you will be asked as part of the background check process to upload a copy of your vaccination card. If you believe you require an accommodation for medical or religious reasons related to the vaccine safety mandate, you may submit a request after you receive an offer of employment. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in your offer letter. Summary: The Senior Paralegal, Litigation ("Senior Litigation Paralegal") role will report directly to the Senior Counsel, Global Litigation and will be a key member of Hershey's Global Litigation team. Under attorney supervision, this position will provide high–level paralegal support in complex and highly confidential legal areas in furtherance of legal and business objectives related to the company's global business and will assist the Senior Counsel with implementing global litigation strategies, litigation management processes, and legal reserves with Finance and Risk Management. This position will perform legal and business research and draft a wide variety of legal and business documents for review by supervising attorneys. This position also will be responsible for applying strong legal and organizational skills to manage and direct projects that are large in scope and complexity, often involving very diverse areas of the law and many stakeholders. This position also will have interaction with and serve as a liaison between outside counsel and Company employees. Strong written and verbal skills are required, as well as the ability to work proactively and independently to identify issues, legal risks, and potential liability and report those findings in verbal or written form to the Senior Counsel. Major Duties/Responsibilities: Summary of major duties: Litigation Management and Matter Management Provide operational and business assistance to attorneys on litigation matters Support internal and external counsel in all stages of litigation Manage the discovery process, including interviewing witnesses, and gathering, reviewing, and analyzing documents Work collaboratively with business clients to investigate claims, develop witnesses, manage business expectations Assist in–house and outside counsel with factual case development and analysis Draft legal hold notices, manage the process, and ensure compliance Oversee e–discovery requirements, processes, and production Respond to third–party subpoenas, including interviewing witnesses and collection, review and production of documents Draft legal and business documents for review by supervising attorney Oversee and manage document retention policies and compliance Manage and update the litigation calendar Oversee garnishment and bankruptcy processes Support inside counsel for Commercial, L&E, Regulatory, and Intellectual Property as necessary Support HR–related investigations and matters, as necessary Strategic Planning, Analysis, and Reporting Assist Senior Counsel in leading quarterly legal reserves process Develop and implement litigation management processes to measure and track effectiveness of litigation strategy including, but not limited to, metrics related to cost savings, minimization of business interruption, length of litigation, and impact to the business Assist Senior Counsel in furthering DEI objectives and benchmarking against those objectives Identify opportunities to improve litigation processes, policies, and strategy and work with Senior Counsel to implement solutions Assist Senior Counsel in preparing reports to various stakeholders, including board committees Training and Education Prepare and conduct training to the business on document retention procedures Prepare and conduct training to the business on legal hold policy and process Prepare and conduct training to paralegals and the business on "best practices" to avoid unnecessary legal risk and exposure Dimensions: Strong paralegal skills to conduct legal research, analyze issues and prepare/review drafts of legal documents, ensuring that they meet legal requirements and deadlines Ability to present statements of fact, law, and basic legal strategy clearly, logically, and concisely Ability to develop effective working relationships cross–functionally Independent self–starter with the ability to initiate and manage multiple projects for multiple attorneys simultaneously Flexibility to respond to multiple and often–changing priorities on a global level Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow through Excellent oral and written communication skills Proactively raise, recommend, and resolve issues Ability to handle confidential information and develop trusting relationships, using a high degree of tact, discretion, and diplomacy Ability to use sound judgment, work independently, set priorities, and organize work to accomplish complex tasks efficiently within stringent deadlines High degree of skill in computer and information technology resources; specifically, but not limited to, Microsoft Office 365, Serengeti, and online court filing, and docketing platforms. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Education: Bachelor's Degree preferred; Paralegal Degree or Certification required Experience: Minimum 8+ years of experience in law firm or corporate setting with: Outstanding time–management and prioritization skills Well versed in legal terminology, laws, judicial decisions, court jurisdictions and procedures Well versed in principles and practices of legal communication, techniques, and methods Well versed in methods and techniques of legal research (electronic and book) Strong legal analysis skills, including the ability to read, interpret and apply statutory and legal requirements to legal and business matters Well versed in methods, practices, procedures, and requirements for drafting a wide variety of legal documents Experience with legal reserves process Ability to understand financial documents Knowledge and/or relevant experience in litigation and commercial matters Experience working with databases (docketing management, billing, case management, online court filings, etc.) Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access) The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the HR Service Center ().