Paralegal

Modern Family Law  is a national family law firm operating in 16 cities across six states, and we are growing. We are hiring a  Family Law Paralegal  for our  Petaluma, CA  office to work directly with our attorneys on divorce, child custody, property division and support matters.

This is not a document-production role. Our paralegals carry their own caseload, draft the filings that move a matter forward, and are often the person a client speaks to most. If you want to be close to the work and close to the people it affects, this is that job.

Role summary

A successful paralegal at Modern Family Law takes ownership, produces accurate work, communicates proactively, bills ethically and productively, and consistently follows firm processes while remaining adaptable and coachable.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of family law matters from hire through resolution, working alongside multiple attorneys.
• Draft and prepare the filings that keep matters moving: Petitions, Summons, Case Information Sheets, Notices and Entries of Appearance, and Notices of Withdrawal and Motions to Withdraw. E-file with county court systems and track the status of the case through the system portals.
• Own the deadlines. Calendars, filing dates and court requirements sit with you, and nothing goes late.
• Talk to clients. Answer their questions and follow up before they have to ask. Family law clients are often having the worst time of their lives, and how they are treated matters as much as the filing being correct.
• Keep your matters clean. A leader should be able to open any file of yours and find it current and accurate without warning or question.
• Work with attorneys as a colleague, not an inbox. The best paralegals here tell the attorney what is coming, not the other way round.

Work environment and expectations

Remote-first, with office space available.  You will be in person when courts, clients and operational needs require it.

A real tech stack.  NetDocuments, Salesforce, TimeSolv, Microsoft 365 and Texas-specific systems. You do not need to know all of them on day one, but you should be someone who learns tools quickly rather than working around them.

Monthly billable expectation by level.  Paralegal I, II and III carry a 100 billable hourly monthly expectation, and Senior Paralegals carry 120. We are telling you the number because you deserve to know it before you apply. It is deliberately achievable, and it is there so our paralegals can do the work properly rather than racing the clock.

Requirements

• Per the California Business and Professions Code § 6450, A paralegal shall possess at least one of the following: (1) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association. (2) A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a postsecondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester, or equivalent, units in law-related courses and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. (3) A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject, a minimum of one year of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. (4) A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, a minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney who has been an active member of the State Bar of California for at least the preceding three years or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three years, and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. This experience and training shall be completed no later than December 31, 2003.

• Family law experience required. What matters more is whether you can draft cleanly, hold a deadline and talk to a client who is upset.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication.
• Proficient in e-filing with all major county court systems.
• Experience supporting multiple attorneys in a law firm setting.
• Demonstrated ability to capture all billable work accurately, contemporaneously, efficiently and ethically using clear, client-appropriate narratives.
• High attention to detail, and the composure to stay organized when multiple matters need something on the same afternoon.
• A collaborative instinct. We are a team, and we measure ourselves partly on whether the people around us succeed.

Mandatory Notices for Applicants 

Compensation : $28 - $36 hourly + commission. 

This range is a reasonably reliable estimate of the base salary plus projected bonuses and billable hour commissions that this role is expected to receive. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Full-time employees may be eligible for health insurance with an optional HSA, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, healthcare and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts, 401(k), vacation, sick-time and an employee assistance program. Voluntary programs include accident, life, disability, long-term care, critical illness and cancer insurance, and pet insurance. Commuter and transit programs may be available in certain markets.

Ongoing Learning and Development support, and a transparent path from Paralegal I to Senior Paralegal.

Pursuant to the local Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Modern Family Law is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at MFL are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, among other protected bases.

ADA Compliance.  All candidates and incumbents are expected to perform the duties as assigned so long as they can meet the expectations set forth with or without reasonable accommodations. Should a candidate or incumbent require accommodation, they need to advise the Director of People Operations in advance.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Work From Anywhere - eligible after 6 months