Alternative Dispute Resolution Paralegal

Alternative Dispute Resolution Paralegal

Location: Chicago, IL
Job Type: Full-Time – Hybrid
Base Salary Range: $70,000–$84,000 per year

Looking for a career path beyond a traditional law firm? This opportunity offers the chance to use your paralegal experience in a highly interactive role—with opportunities to grow into management and leadership.

SmartHire is recruiting on behalf of a global leader in arbitration and mediation. Here’s what makes this company stand out:

• Career growth beyond traditional paralegal roles: The company regularly promotes professionals with paralegal backgrounds into management, Director, and Vice President positions. SmartHire has placed many professionals with this organization across the country and has seen that advancement firsthand.

• A culture that keeps people long term: Employees stay because they enjoy the company, the people, and the friendly, collaborative environment.

• Meaningful client interaction: If you enjoy communicating with people, building relationships, and keeping complex matters moving, this role offers frequent interaction with attorneys, clients, and judges.

• Ownership of your cases: You’ll manage each piece of the arbitration and mediation process from beginning to end, serving as the central point of contact.

• Hybrid flexibility and work/life balance: Build your career in a professional, stable environment with no billable-hour requirements.

About the Company

Founded over 40 years ago, this international alternative dispute resolution organization helps resolve complex business and legal conflicts through arbitration and mediation. With locations nationwide, it combines experienced professionals, advanced technology, and flexible in-person, virtual, and hybrid proceedings.

The Role

This position is a little different from a traditional paralegal role. You’ll serve as a legal liaison, working with attorneys and clients on both sides of arbitration and mediation matters while coordinating closely with the judges overseeing proceedings.

You’ll manage cases from opening through close—coordinating meetings and hearings, preparing and managing case documents, tracking deadlines, and keeping everyone informed. It’s an opportunity to combine your legal knowledge with client service, relationship building, and hands-on case management.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage arbitration and mediation cases from opening through final resolution and close.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for attorneys, clients, arbitrators, mediators, judges, and other parties.

• Coordinate hearings, conferences, mediations, and other case-related meetings.

• Prepare, organize, and distribute case documents, correspondence, and materials.

• Maintain accurate case files, calendars, deadlines, and activity updates.

• Track case milestones, follow up with all parties, and keep judges informed of case progress.

• Support judges with scheduling, materials, and administrative coordination.

• Respond to inquiries professionally and provide attentive client service.

• Follow internal case management procedures and complete case-closing requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in paralegal work, case management, legal support, litigation support, or ADR administration.

• Experience managing cases from inception through closing or resolution.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working directly with clients and external parties.

• High attention to detail and consistent follow-through.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and case management or database systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in arbitration, mediation, legal services, or litigation support.

• Experience supporting complex matters involving multiple parties and deadlines.

Interested in exploring a different path in your legal career? We’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you.

Disclaimer

This job description provides only a summary of the typical functions associated with this role and is not intended to represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all responsibilities, tasks, or duties. The actual responsibilities, tasks, and duties assigned may differ from those outlined, and additional duties may be assigned. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. SmartHire is not legally responsible for any changes to the jobholder’s responsibilities or activities implemented by our clients that differ from those described herein.

SmartHire is posting this position on behalf of our client, and the salary range provided is determined by the client. Actual compensation offered will depend on various factors determined by the hiring company, including candidate qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and internal equity considerations. SmartHire is not legally responsible for any changes in salary, benefits, or bonuses made by our clients.