Paralegal - Civil Litigation

Job Description

Job Description

The paralegal will support the firm’s attorneys in managing civil litigation/arbitration matters and will be expected to handle complex case files with limited supervision. The position requires a strong understanding of California civil procedure, court rules, litigation deadlines, and legal-document preparation.

The successful candidate must be able to anticipate case needs, maintain organized files, communicate professionally with clients and counsel, and consistently produce accurate work under deadline. These responsibilities are drawn from the expectations stated in the firm’s employment materials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage civil litigation files from initiation through resolution or trial.
• Draft, review, format, and finalize pleadings, motions, declarations, notices, correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Prepare written discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and discovery responses.
• Assist with deposition preparation, document production, exhibit organization, and subpoena compliance.
• Prepare trial materials, including witness and exhibit lists, trial binders, demonstrative materials, and pretrial filings.
• Calendar and monitor hearings, discovery deadlines, filing deadlines, trial dates, and other case-related obligations.
• Coordinate with clients, witnesses, experts, opposing counsel, court personnel, vendors, and other parties.
• Maintain complete and organized electronic and physical case files.
• Review records and evidence, summarize relevant information, and identify missing documents or factual issues.
• Assist attorneys with case strategy, factual investigations, settlement preparation, and hearing or trial preparation.
• File and serve documents in California state courts and other applicable forums.
• Provide guidance and training to junior staff when requested.
• Serve as a professional liaison between attorneys, clients, staff, and outside parties.
• Perform additional litigation and administrative duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Must satisfy the requirements to work as a paralegal under California law.
• Prior experience supporting attorneys in civil litigation.
• Strong knowledge of California civil procedure, court rules, litigation deadlines, and filing requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to draft pleadings, discovery, motions, correspondence, and other litigation documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, proofreading, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and competing deadlines with limited supervision.
• Ability to identify and anticipate case needs rather than waiting for instructions on every task.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Professional judgment and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, PDF software, electronic filing systems, and case-management software.
• Reliable attendance and ability to work on-site in Rancho Cucamonga.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience preparing cases for mediation, arbitration, hearings, and trial.
• Familiarity with California state-court electronic filing and service procedures.
• Experience communicating directly with clients and opposing counsel.
• Experience supervising or training junior legal staff.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills are a plus.

What We Are Looking For

Takes ownership of assigned matters and follows tasks through completion.

• Produces careful, accurate, and professional work.
• Communicates promptly when an issue, delay, or deadline arises.
• Can independently prioritize assignments in a demanding litigation practice.
• Remains organized and composed when priorities change.
• Works collaboratively and contributes to a professional team environment.
• Is interested in long-term professional growth and increased responsibility.

So, why Defiant Law? To be Defiant, is to confront, resist, disagree, challenge, speak out against and defy the odds that life has stacked against you and yet be bold enough to confront the situation with assured power of resistance. At this firm, we have been doing just that for in our own lives and it is a joy and an honor to be able to do that for you.

Company Description

So, why Defiant Law? To be Defiant, is to confront, resist, disagree, challenge, speak out against and defy the odds that life has stacked against you and yet be bold enough to confront the situation with assured power of resistance. At this firm, we have been doing just that for in our own lives and it is a joy and an honor to be able to do that for you.