Company Description
Shell has been operating in the United States since 1912. We believe that our people are our greatest asset and that is why we invest heavily in our employees. Our industry-leading development programme helps unlock your potential and will see you work with an unrivalled pool of local and global experts. We will make sure that your ideas will travel through our global network of experts. In the United States, Shell is a major oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, a recognized innovator in oil and gas exploration and production technology and one of America’s leading oil and gas producers, fuel and natural gas marketers and petrochemical manufacturers. We operate in 50 states and employ more than 22,000 people delivering energy in technically innovative ways.
Job Description
This position is for a Litigation Attorney. This attorney will be an integral part of the Global Litigation, Strategy & Coordination organization, primarily focusing on Group-wide issues around identifying, harvesting, and preserving electronically stored information (“ESI”) concerning litigation, agency investigations (both civil and criminal), regulatory and other matters that may arise. This attorney will be a critical component to managing and mitigating legal and business risks, and ensuring the effective and efficient management of ESI from both internal and external sources.
This position will report to the Managing Counsel. This attorney will have responsibility for working with their direct Managing Counsel as well as Associate General Counsels, other Managing Counsel, lawyers and paralegals on the Global Litigation team. This responsibility will extend to work in developing and implementing, best practices around e-discovery, preservation and cross border discovery, and providing expertise and advice on substantive preservation, e-discovery and records management issues to Shell attorneys, Shell paralegals and external counsel handling Shell litigation, investigative, regulatory and other proceedings. This position will interface with other members of the Global Litigation organization, Group Records Management, Global IT, as well as Shell business personnel, and external contractors and vendors.
The successful candidate will be able to identify all potential e-discovery problem areas for Shell attorneys, Shell paralegals, external counsel, and clients and translate them into legally sound, and easy-to-understand solutions.
Requirements Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.
• JD is required
• Minimum 9 years experience as a Licensed Litigation Attorney in good standing in Texas or another state in the United States (or ability to become immediately eligible to be admitted to the State Bar of Texas).
• Must have significant discovery experience generally, and specifically concerning e-Discovery. Must have a thorough knowledge of the applicable rules of procedure and evidence governing discovery.
• Proven experience in managing multiple requests for support while insuring stakeholders are satisfied with completeness, accuracy, and timeliness
• Ability to respond to changes in requirements mandated by regulatory agencies, evidentiary rules and court rulings
• Ability to manage the establishment of best-practices from a global perspective
• Insure alignment throughout the Shell organization, including with IT, Legal, and the business communities, with respect to preservation and e-discovery issues
• Proven ability to manage potential exposure to legal sanctions and fraud concerning discovery, particularly as related to high-risk dockets
• Provide advice and counsel to Shell attorneys and business leaders regarding e-discovery issues as necessary to protect Shell brand
• Be able to manage a large stakeholder community, in excess of 50 Shell lawyers, personnel and leaders
• Interface on a daily basis with senior leaders, attorneys, IT and other personnel
• Global experience with e-Discovery issues is preferred
• Broad knowledge concerning ranges of information technology (IT), including IT terminology, IT processes, commonly used IT systems and applications associated with litigation generally, and e-discovery specifically, as well as the extraction, production, and processing of electronically stored information, including metadata. Comprehensive knowledge of database concepts, data modeling and database applications and application of such knowledge in a variety of situations. Knowledge of Clearwell, Relativity and similar e-Discovery tools. Good overall knowledge of information security concepts and a clear understanding of their dependencies.
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to convey the meaning and importance of legal requirements pertaining to discovery obligations to IT personnel, Legal colleagues and business personnel. Ability to explain procedures, time periods, difficulties, and related costs and expenses of e-Discovery processes.
• Able to influence colleagues, clients and senior managers to accept advice.
• Able to function in a team environment, being flexible and responsive to changing priorities, and having an appropriate sense of urgency in completing tasks and projects. Ability to plan, schedule and monitor work, within set targets, for several staff or contractors.
• Takes a logical, analytical approach to complex problem solving, paying close attention to detail and having a systematic, disciplined and analytical approach to problem solving. Must be accustomed to regular and effective client and management contact.