Legal Secretary - Civil Litigation

Legal Secretary (Litigation) - Del Mar, CA

Location: Del Mar, California

Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; 7.5-hour workday)

Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000 (DOE)

Work Arrangement: Fully in-office (potential transition to 4:1 hybrid)

Position Overview

A respected law firm in Del Mar is seeking a highly skilled Legal Secretary with strong litigation experience to support attorneys and legal teams across complex matters, including trial litigation, appellate filings, and corporate-related work. This role requires a detail-oriented, technically proficient professional with a positive, team-first mindset and a willingness to assist with both legal and administrative functions.

Key Responsibilities

Litigation & Filing Support

• Coordinate and submit state, federal, and appellate court filings, ensuring compliance with all court rules, formatting, and deadlines.
• Prepare, edit, and proofread legal documents, including appeals, motions, petitions, and pleadings.
• Manage complex filings, including exhibits, appendices, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor and track filing deadlines, hearing dates, and court requirements to ensure timely submissions.
• Conduct legal research and verify case-related information.

Attorney & Team Support

• Provide daily administrative support to attorneys and legal teams; serve as a liaison between billing partners, paralegals, and staff.
• Maintain attorney calendars, coordinating meetings, depositions, court appearances, and conferences.
• Draft and type legal correspondence and documents with precision and accuracy.
• Receive and organize expense receipts and assist with reimbursement processes.
• Serve as backup support to other secretaries and shared attorney teams when needed.

Client & Office Coordination

• Serve as a professional point of contact for clients, attorneys, and visitors, maintaining discretion and professionalism.
• Welcome clients and assist in coordinating meetings, depositions, and hearings.
• Assist with reception coverage, including greeting visitors, handling calls, and directing inquiries.
• Coordinate conference room scheduling, meeting setups, and catering needs with Office Services staff.
• Provide light hospitality and office operational support.

Document & File Management

• Organize, maintain, and update client files, pleadings, and case materials using document management systems (e.g., iManage).
• Prepare and assemble documents for filing, including duplication and organization when Office Services staff are unavailable.
• Ensure proper recordkeeping and document accuracy across all case files.

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of litigation secretarial experience (appellate filing experience strongly preferred).
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state court filing rules and eFiling procedures.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Word and Outlook) and legal software, including iManage.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and document formatting skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills; able to interact professionally with clients and colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.

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.