Legal Secretary - Civil Litigation

Legal Secretary (Litigation)

Location: Del Mar, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Compensation: $75,000 - $95,000 DOE

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

Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite (Potential for Future Hybrid Schedule)

About the Opportunity

A prestigious law firm in Del Mar is seeking an experienced, highly professional Litigation Legal Secretary to support a busy team of attorneys in a fast-paced litigation practice. The ideal candidate is technically savvy, exceptionally organized, and experienced with litigation filings in state, federal, and appellate courts. This individual will serve as a critical member of the legal support team, providing administrative, filing, calendaring, and client service support while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.

We are looking for a candidate who combines strong litigation expertise with a positive, team-oriented attitude and a willingness to assist wherever needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, edit, proofread, and format legal documents including pleadings, motions, petitions, appeals, correspondence, and other litigation-related materials.
• Coordinate and submit state, federal, and appellate court filings, ensuring compliance with court rules, deadlines, formatting requirements, exhibits, appendices, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain attorney calendars and coordinate complex scheduling of meetings, depositions, hearings, conferences, and client appointments.
• Monitor filing deadlines, court requirements, hearing dates, and critical case milestones to ensure timely and accurate filings.
• Organize, maintain, and update electronic and physical client files, records, pleadings, and case materials using the firm's document management systems.
• Serve as a liaison between attorneys, clients, paralegals, and internal departments.
• Provide exceptional client service and act as a professional point of contact for clients, visitors, attorneys, and firm personnel.
• Assist with reception coverage, visitor hospitality, conference room scheduling, and meeting coordination, including catering arrangements when necessary.
• Process attorney expense reimbursement documentation and related administrative support.
• Conduct research and verify important case-related information as needed.
• Answer, screen, and direct incoming calls and correspondence.
• Assist with document production and filing preparation during peak workload periods.
• Provide backup support to other legal secretaries and attorneys within the office.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of Litigation Legal Secretary experience in a law firm environment.
• At least 3 years of hands-on litigation filing experience, including state and federal court filings.
• Experience with appellate court filings preferred.
• Strong knowledge of court rules, filing procedures, deadlines, and eFiling systems.
• Advanced proficiency in:
  • Microsoft Word
  • Outlook
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • iManage
  • Legal document management systems and related legal technology
• Excellent typing, proofreading, editing, and document formatting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy, and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Professional, reliable, and positive "can-do" attitude.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Experience supporting litigation practices involving:
  • Corporate Law
  • Finance
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Intellectual Property
  • Trial Litigation

What We're Looking For

Our ideal candidate will possess the following top qualities:

1. Litigation Filing Expertise

Demonstrated experience managing complex state, federal, and appellate filings with accuracy and confidence.

2. Strong Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, iManage, legal document management systems, eFiling platforms, and legal technology tools.

3. Team-Oriented Service Mindset

A personable, professional individual who enjoys helping others, supports administrative needs when necessary, and contributes positively to the office culture.

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, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.