The Paralegal provides comprehensive, advanced level paralegal skills and services in support of the Legal Department’s objectives. The Paralegal has overall responsibility for ongoing outside counsel engagement and will monitor, track and report legal spend to the Department Controller and the Merz Therapeutics Legal Department. The Paralegal collaborates with Corporate Counsel and outside counsel on brand protection issues and assists the Legal Department with corporate governance. Additionally, the Paralegal will prepare and negotiate contracts for Merz Therapeutics and track approvals and archiving in the electronic contract management database. As needed, the Paralegal will manage document retention, production, submissions and engagement with outside counsel for litigation matters.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Draft standard template contracts and exhibits, including confirmation of vendor legal name and analysis of existing agreements
Coordinate with Sourcing, Finance and business partners regarding requested timelines and vendor deliverables.
Update Legal Department Attorneys in meetings on contract status and system matters
Intake, review and submit for approval and signature all outside counsel engagement letters and prepare purchase orders
Circulate legal vendors invoices for approval and submit for payment all Department invoice
Interface with outside counsel on billing issue
Gather, record and tally all outside counsel monthly accruals
Monitor legal spend in keeping with purchase orders
Responsible for the overall management of costs and expenses to ensure the Department operates within budget
Serve as the key liaison between the Legal Department and Finance
Make recommendations regarding expenditures, continuously monitor spending and formulate solutions to improve expense profile of the Legal Department
Overall management of relationships with legal vendors and outside counsel as they relate to policy and financial objectives
Assist in preparation of corporate minutes, resolutions, and other company governance documents
Update corporate books and Global SharePoint site
Complete/prepare forms required for state filings
Serve as primary contact with registered agent for all Merz entities
Provide litigation support as needed for cost-effective case management, implementation and dispute resolution and prevention practices
Assess and oversee the technological needs and resources of the Legal Department, namely for discovery, records management and matter management.
Interface with IT Department, particularly for e-discovery and internal investigations
Analyze and improve processes within Legal Affairs, driving increases in efficiency and ensuring quality of administrative function and litigation support services
Provide leadership, consultation, and analysis to Legal Department regarding process improvements and new procedures
Interface with insurance broker and proactively report and consult with broker on liability issues
Interface with internal/external auditors
Assist with compliance department as needed
Independently draft correspondence and other documents as needed by Department attorneys
Coordinate with Facilities Management regarding departmental operations
Support with day-to-day operations, as well as special litigation and diligence projects
Assist with company-wide meetings, as well as Legal Department monthly meetings and bi-annual professional development retreat;
Coordinate all outside counsel, Global executive and vendor meetings hosted by Department.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent understanding of legal and contracting processes and corresponding documentation.
High level of proficiency with business systems (Sharepoint, MS Word, Powerpoint; MS Excel.
Ability to understand complex regulations and apply that understanding to healthcare organizations.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to multitask and manage a large workload while maintaining attention to detail.
Uses high level of confidentiality in work and uses high level of discretion.
Understanding of litigation process, eDiscovery model and judicial system.
Benefits
Hybrid Remote work policy
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
Basic Life, AD&D and Dependent Life Insurance
Retirement 401(k) with employer match
Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
Paid parental bonding leave
Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
Additional benefits including volunteer time off, pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, and more!
Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent employees of Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC located in the United States and are subject to change.
Experience
Required
Experience in legal contract drafting, review and negotiation
7 year(s): Progressively responsible and directly related work experience or equivalent education/experience
Preferred
Experience in pharmaceutical industry
Education
Required
Bachelors or better in Paralegal Studies or related field
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
