Litigation Paralegal

Job Summary

Our Riverside Office is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to support attorneys handling complex civil litigation in state, federal and administrative venues.

Essential Functions

• Manage all aspects of civil litigation cases, including proactive tracking of case progress and strict attention to deadlines.
• Draft initial versions of a variety of pleadings for matters in federal, state, and administrative forums.
• Prepare initial discovery documents for federal, state, and administrative proceedings.
• Draft initial discovery requests to plaintiff.
• Create detailed chronologies and timelines to highlight key events in case.
• Collaborate with attorneys and clients to gather materials necessary for discovery responses, motion practice, depositions, and other litigation tasks.
• Identify, organize and prepare documents for production, including applying Bates numbering, performing redactions, and maintaining production and privilege logs.
• Collaborate with the e-discovery team on large-scale document productions and use Relativity or similar software as needed.
• Assist in witness interviews and prepare concise interview summaries.
• Prepare deposition documents and subpoenas in compliance with state and federal requirements, monitor responses, coordinate third-party records production, and develop deposition outlines and summaries.
• Support trial and arbitration preparation, including organizing and managing trial exhibits, preparing initial drafts of witness and exhibit lists, and providing additional trial-related assistance as needed.
• Conduct cite-checking and Shepardizing as needed.
• Perform legal research using tools such as Lexis and PACER as required.
• Conduct background, litigation and social media searches as required.

Qualifications/Skills Required

• Proficiency in the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Solid understanding of state and federal rules of civil procedure.
• Law firm experience in civil defense work; employment law background preferred.
• Familiarity with insurance carrier guidelines is a plus.
• Experience using timekeeping and billing software; knowledge of Intapp is a plus.
• Experience with document management systems required; familiarity with NetDocuments is a plus.
• Experience in e-discovery platforms including Relativity is a plus.
• Experience with trial/mediation/arbitration preparation, class actions, and wage and hour matters is a plus.
• Proven track record of meeting billable hour targets.
• Demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to apply confidentiality, sound judgment, professionalism, and strong teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively toward delivering outstanding client service.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Compliance with California Business & Professions Code 6450 for paralegal practice in the state of CA.
• An ABA-approved paralegal certificate is highly preferred, but alternative educational qualifications that satisfy the above standards will also be considered.
• Current and compliant CLE credits or willingness to become compliant as part of employment agreement.
• Minimum of 5 years’ litigation defense experience in a law firm setting is required—preferably in employment law, though this is not mandatory.
• For California, the expected hourly range for this position is between $40.00 and $50.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Account
• Firm-paid holidays, vacation and sick time
• Employee assistance program and other firm benefits