Litigation Legal Secretary

Location: Carlsbad, CA (On-Site)
Practice Area: Civil Litigation
Job Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire or Temp-to-Hire
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (30-minute lunch)
Salary: $80,000 - $110,000 (DOE; negotiable based on experience)

Position Overview

A respected and fast-paced civil litigation law firm in Carlsbad, CA is seeking an exceptionally skilled Litigation Legal Secretary to join its team. This role is ideal for a seasoned legal professional with strong, hands-on experience managing litigation processes, court filings, and critical deadlines.

The ideal candidate thrives in a high-volume environment, demonstrates precision and accountability, and brings deep working knowledge of civil procedure and court rules across state and federal courts.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative and litigation support to multiple attorneys.
• Maintain and manage accurate court calendaring, including all statutory, local rule, and court-ordered deadlines.
• Prepare, revise, and proofread a wide range of litigation documents, including:
  • Pleadings
  • Motions
  • Discovery requests and responses
  • Legal correspondence
• Coordinate and process state and federal court filings (electronic and physical) in compliance with all procedural requirements.
• Assist with corporate counsel matters, including drafting and formatting legal documents as needed.
• Schedule and coordinate:
  • Depositions
  • Hearings
  • Client meetings
  • Trial preparation and logistics
• Maintain well-organized electronic and physical case files with exceptional attention to detail.
• Communicate professionally with clients, court personnel, opposing counsel, and external vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience as a Litigation Legal Secretary (required).
• Demonstrated, hands-on knowledge of:
  • Civil procedure
  • Court rules
  • Litigation deadlines and calendaring (experience must go beyond general law firm exposure)
• Proficiency in legal software, document management systems, and e-filing platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines effectively.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and dependable.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Top Priorities for This Role

1. Strong litigation experience as a legal secretary (minimum 3 years).
2. Expertise in court filings, deadlines, and litigation procedures from start to finish.
3. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary ranging from $80K-$110K, depending on experience.
• Compensation is highly negotiable based on skill level and depth of litigation expertise.
• Opportunity to join a collaborative, professional, and well-established law firm environment.