Legal Secretary - Civil Litigation

Legal Secretary - Civil Litigation (Del Mar, CA)

Overview

A respected law firm in Del Mar, CA is seeking an experienced Legal Secretary with a strong background in civil litigation to support a team of attorneys handling complex litigation matters. This is a direct hire opportunity offering a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical skills, deep familiarity with litigation processes, and a professional, team-oriented attitude with a willingness to support both legal and administrative functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key liaison between attorneys, paralegals, and internal teams to manage daily administrative and litigation support tasks.
• Prepare, coordinate, and file civil litigation documents in state, federal, and appellate courts, ensuring compliance with court rules, formatting requirements, and deadlines.
• Draft, edit, and proofread legal documents including pleadings, motions, discovery materials, and appellate filings.
• Maintain and manage attorney calendars, scheduling depositions, hearings, mediations, court appearances, and client meetings.
• Track and monitor litigation deadlines, court dates, and case milestones to ensure timely filings.
• Organize and maintain case files, pleadings, exhibits, and discovery materials using document management systems such as iManage.
• Assist with trial preparation, including organizing exhibits, binders, and case materials.
• Coordinate client meetings, depositions, and hearings, including conference room scheduling and hospitality arrangements.
• Receive and process travel and expense documentation for reimbursement.
• Provide professional front-facing support, including greeting clients and handling incoming calls and communications.
• Support office operations, including document production, filing preparation, and coordination with Office Services.
• Conduct basic legal research and assist with verifying case-related information.
• Provide backup support to reception and other legal secretaries as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of civil litigation experience required (5+ years preferred).
• Strong experience with civil litigation filings, including familiarity with appellate procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of California state and federal court rules, deadlines, and eFiling systems.
• Advanced proficiency in:
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Outlook required)
  • iManage or similar document management systems
  • Legal eFiling platforms
• Strong typing, formatting, and proofreading skills for litigation documents and correspondence.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong follow-through.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion.
• Proven ability to prioritize, multitask, and work under pressure.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.

Top Candidate Profile

• Highly experienced in civil litigation filings (state, federal, appellate)
• Technically skilled and detail-oriented
• Positive, team-first mindset with a willingness to assist beyond core duties
• Friendly, professional, and adaptable in a fast-paced legal environment

Position Details

• Location: Del Mar, CA
• Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday
  • 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (7.5-hour workday)
• Work Model: Fully in-office (potential transition to 4:1 hybrid)
• Compensation: $75,000 - $90,000, DOE
• Employment Type: Direct Hire

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.