Legal Secretary (Litigation)
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Salary: $80,000 - $100,000 annually (DOE)
Employment Type: Full‑time, In‑Office
About Us
We are a well‑established law firm based in Carlsbad, California, with a strong litigation practice and an active corporate counsel component. Our firm handles a significant volume of matters in California state courts, with the bulk of our work in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties. We are seeking an experienced Legal Secretary to work closely with our attorneys in a thriving litigation practice.
Position Overview
The ideal candidate is a seasoned litigation legal secretary with substantial, direct experience managing California court filings, calendaring, and civil procedure deadlines. You will work closely with multiple attorneys and play an essential role in ensuring cases move forward accurately and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive litigation support to multiple attorneys
- Maintain accurate court calendaring and independently calculate and monitor California civil procedure deadlines
- Prepare, revise, proofread, and format pleadings, motions, discovery, and other legal documents
- Coordinate and manage e‑filings in California state courts, including San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties
- Assist with corporate counsel matters, including drafting correspondence and supporting ongoing corporate needs
- Coordinate depositions, hearings, meetings, and trial logistics
- Organize and maintain electronic and physical case files with exceptional attention to detail
- Communicate professionally with clients, court personnel, and opposing counsel
- Anticipate attorney needs and proactively manage workflow
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years' experience as a litigation legal secretary (required)
- Demonstrated, working knowledge of California civil procedure and court deadlines
- Hands‑on experience with California state court e‑filing systems
- Experience supporting active litigation matters-not just exposure to a litigation environment
- Strong proficiency with legal software and document management systems
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and reliable
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced legal environment
Note: Simply having worked at a litigation firm is not sufficient. Applicants must have real, practical experience handling litigation tasks independently, including calendaring and procedural deadlines.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary range of $80,000 - $100,000, depending on experience
- Stable, collaborative work environment
- Opportunity to play a key role in a respected and growing legal practice
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.