Defense Litigation Legal Assistant

Steffan & Co., Incorporated; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fantastic healthcare benefits

20 days PTO

401k discretionary contribution

Job summary

Steffan & Co., Incorporated is seeking a Defense Litigation Legal Assistant to support 5-7 attorneys in its new San Francisco location. Candidates should have 3+ years of experience in defense litigation, proficiency with iManage, and strong e-Filing skills. The position offers a hybrid work model and includes a competitive salary range of $75,000-$115,000, along with comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, PTO, and a discretionary bonus. Join a well-respected team in a diverse and supportive firm culture.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of defense litigation experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal.
• Solid e-Filing experience with CA and Federal Courts.
• Typing speed of 50-60 words per minute.

Responsibilities

• Draft, revise, and format legal documents and correspondence.
• Perform administrative tasks such as preparing expense reports and client invoices.
• Maintain and manage client files and attorneys’ calendars.

Skills

iManage

Defense litigation

E‑Filing

Microsoft Office Suite

Multi-tasking

Education

High School Diploma

College degree (preferred)

Tools

Windows-based software

Job description

Defense Litigation Legal Assistant – Secretary

Location: Downtown San Francisco, CA, in the firm’s new SF location

Solid tenure, solid experience with iManage, and out of a medium to large law firm, and solid e‑Filing experience with California and Federal Courts are required

Product Liability Defense Litigation is the practice area working with a team of lawyers

Hybrid work model of 2-3 days onsite, unless the team needs you in the office for a case/project.

Hours can be 8:30-5 or 9-5:30, with paid overtime.

Solid tenure is key to success with this firm. Please have 3+ years of defense litigation, NOT PLAINTIFF litigation. Product Liability Defense litigation experience is highly desired but not required.

$75,000-$115,000, depending on years of experience (3 years to 15+years) of legal experience, skills, education, and certificates

The firm offers outstanding benefits and a discretionary bonus in July 2027. You will work with a dynamic group of 5-7 well‑respected litigation defense associates and partners who are in Los Angeles, CA.

This fast‑paced, busy position has substantive work, a fantastic manager, incredibly helpful staff, and great attorneys.

Why this assignment works with 5-7 timekeepers:

• Legal Secretaries are not entering docketing.
• Legal Secretaries are not doing the shells; the word‑processing team handles them.
• Legal Secretaries do not handle copying or production; the services team handles it.
• Most attorneys enter their own time, but there are exceptions.

This firm has one of the world’s most robust integrated legal practices, with 45 offices worldwide. The firm is renowned for its local connections and global influence, delivering comprehensive legal services worldwide.

The firm seeks a Legal Assistant/Secretary to join its Product Liability Litigation Practice Group. You will support 5-7 attorneys who work in the firm’s SF office.

Please have 3+ years of experience as a legal secretary, legal assistant, or paralegal in defense litigation at a law firm.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Draft, revise, and format legal documents, correspondence, memoranda, and e‑mail
• Perform administrative tasks such as preparing expense reports, check requests, client invoices, and time entries, as requested
• E‑filing in the State (CA) and Federal courts
• Maintaining and managing client files
• Maintaining attorneys’ calendars and scheduling appointments
• Initiating communication and responding to client inquiries
• Coordinating client meetings, travel arrangements (domestic and international), and conferences
• Performing general administrative tasks of filing, mailing, answering phone calls, and greeting clients
• Working cooperatively with staff, paralegals, and lawyers
• Maintaining proficiency with office procedures and staying current with the Firm’s technology

Required Qualifications:

• A High School Diploma is required; college preferred
• 3+ years of Defense litigation, lemon law defense litigation, or general defense litigation experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal. NO PLAINTIFF Litigation, PLEASE
• You must have experience with iManage
• Ability to handle a busy desk, multitask, and remain focused
• 50-60 wpm typing
• Solid e‑Filing experience in CA and federal courts is required
• Computer proficiency in Windows‑based software and Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Basic technological and research skills.

37.5‑hour workweek, paid overtime, very stable and growing, fantastic healthcare benefits, dental, vision, STD, LTD, 20 days PTO, ten holidays, discretionary bonus, and 401k discretionary contribution, and a happy and diverse firm culture, no matter whether you are remote or onsite