Location: Santa Monica, CA / San Diego, CA
Pay Range: $50 - $60/hr+ (Based on Experience)
Responsibilities Include:
- Manage and support a complex litigation caseload from inception through trial, with minimal attorney oversight required for day-to-day execution
- Supervise and direct one to two legal assistants, assigning tasks, providing guidance, and ensuring quality and deadlines are met
- Serve as a primary point of contact for Spanish-speaking clients, conducting communications professionally and accurately in both English and Spanish
- Manage an extremely high-volume and deadline-sensitive calendar, including court deadlines, statutes of limitations, deposition scheduling, hearings, and filing deadlines across multiple matters
- Coordinate and execute all aspects of court filings in California state and federal courts, including e-filing, physical service, and proof of service preparation
- Oversee service of process, court filings, and discovery requests; ensure timely and proper service in compliance with applicable rules
- Organize and maintain case files, documents, and databases; manage document review and productions
- Coordinate with courts, opposing counsel, process servers, court reporters, and vendors
- Support attorneys in deposition and hearing preparation, including compiling exhibits and witness materials
- Identify and flag potential case issues proactively; anticipate attorney needs before being asked
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a paralegal in complex civil litigation in California, with plaintiff-side employment litigation experience strongly preferred
- Full professional bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is required; this is a non-negotiable requirement
- Demonstrated experience managing legal assistants or support staff
- Expert-level knowledge of California state and federal court rules, local rules, and filing procedures, including e-filing systems (One Legal, PACER, CM/ECF, etc.)
- Proven ability to manage a high-volume, deadline-driven calendar across multiple concurrent matters with competing priorities
- Experience handling all phases of litigation: filing, service, discovery, deposition logistics, and motions
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate professionally with clients, courts, and opposing counsel
- Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of performing independently with minimal training or supervision
Preferred Qualifications:
- ABA-approved paralegal certificate or Bachelor's degree in a related field
- Experience in wage and hour class actions, PAGA litigation, or FLSA collective actions
- Familiarity with class action administration, mass client communications, and multi-plaintiff case management
- Experience working in a contingency fee litigation environment