Civil Litigation Paralegal

Civil Litigation Paralegal Lockhart Law Firm, APC Murrieta, CA Job Details Full-time $25 - $32 an hour 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Qualifications Teamwork Confidential information handling Interpersonal skills Phone communication Legal office phone management Interviewing clients Writing skills Legal discovery Witness interviewing Legal motion preparation LexisNexis Copy editing Client invoicing Attention to detail Legal research databases Legal case management Legal billing Grammar Experience Pleadings filing assistance Time management Full Job Description Civil Litigation ParalegalJob Overview We are seeking a highly motivated, self-directed, and detail-oriented Civil Litigation Paralegal to join our dynamic legal team. In this role, you will take primary responsibility for independently drafting pleadings, discovery documents, and other critical legal materials while accurately tracking and billing your own time for all work performed. You will play a vital part in supporting complex civil litigation and probate litigation cases. Your strong drafting skills, legal research capabilities, and project management abilities will make a significant impact in our fast-paced environment. Duties and Responsibilities Independently draft, proofread, revise, and finalize a wide range of litigation documents, including but not limited to complaints, answers, counterclaims, motions (with supporting memoranda of law), discovery requests and responses (interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission), subpoenas, notices of deposition, and professional correspondence. All documents must be prepared with precision, clarity, proper formatting, and strict adherence to applicable court rules and deadlines. Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely time records for all billable and non-billable activities using the firm's timekeeping and billing software. Ensure entries include sufficient narrative detail to support client invoicing and comply with billing guidelines and client-specific requirements. Conduct thorough and targeted legal research using LexisNexis and other online and print resources to support the drafting of pleadings and discovery, develop case strategy, prepare motions, and advance overall litigation objectives. Efficiently organize, index, maintain, and retrieve case files and legal documents (both physical and electronic) using the document management system Clio, ensuring proper version control, Bates numbering where appropriate, and compliance with retention policies. Proactively monitor case calendars, court deadlines, filing requirements, and hearing schedules. Prepare, review, and file documents (including electronic filings via CM/ECF and state e-filing systems) to ensure timely and accurate submissions. Coordinate and conduct client interviews and witness interviews to gather facts, documents, and information necessary for the accurate drafting of pleadings, discovery responses, and other case materials. Provide strong overall case management support by tracking case progress, preparing status reports for attorneys, maintaining matter lists, and facilitating communication among the legal team, clients, experts, and third parties. Perform accurate data entry and maintain databases for case information, client contacts, deadlines, and billing records while upholding the highest standards of accuracy, organization, and confidentiality. Handle day-to-day litigation support and administrative tasks, including coordinating service of process, managing incoming and outgoing correspondence and email, responding to telephone and email inquiries with professionalism, and providing general administrative assistance to attorneys as needed. Review, analyze, and prepare summaries or digests of documents, deposition transcripts, discovery responses, and other materials for accuracy, consistency, and strategic value. Create chronologies, timelines, and factual summaries to support case preparation and motion practice. Qualifications Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a litigation paralegal with a proven track record of independently drafting high-quality pleadings, discovery documents, motions, and other litigation materials with limited supervision. Excellent legal writing, editing, proofreading, and formatting skills with exceptional attention to detail, grammar, style, and court-specific requirements. Demonstrated experience with accurate timekeeping and billing practices, including entering detailed billable time entries and familiarity with law firm billing processes and client invoicing. Strong proficiency in legal research tools (LexisNexis) and document/case management software (Clio). In-depth knowledge of civil procedure, rules of court, e-filing platforms, and standard litigation practices and deadlines. Outstanding organizational, time management, and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple complex matters simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently with minimal oversight in a high-volume environment. Effective verbal and written communication skills, professional interviewing techniques, and polished phone/email etiquette for interactions with clients, witnesses, court staff, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders. High degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion with a strong commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality of all sensitive client and case information. Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or equivalent education and training preferred. Experience supporting civil litigation and probate litigation is highly desirable. About the Opportunity Join our collaborative and supportive team dedicated to delivering exceptional legal representation and achieving outstanding results for our clients in complex civil litigation matters. We value proactive, autonomous professionals who take ownership of their drafting responsibilities and time management and who are eager to make a meaningful contribution to successful case outcomes. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated paralegal seeking significant responsibility and professional growth in a dynamic and diverse practice. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Pay:

$25.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person