Legal Assistant - Open Until Filled

Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma; Sonoma (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant d'entreprise

Indemnités de stage/alternance

Job summary

Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma seeks a Paralegal Assistant to support self‑represented clients in family law matters, guardianships and conservatorships. You will assess legal problems, prepare forms, and assist with outreach and materials.

You will triage litigants, schedule appointments, and help ensure accurate filings while upholding court procedures and respectful customer service.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with California family law, statutes, codes and court processes.
• Ability to distinguish legal information from legal advice and set boundaries.
• Ability to explain legal concepts in plain language and with accuracy.
• Experience in legal research and drafting documents for filings.
• Comfort working with self-represented litigants and diverse backgrounds.
• Spanish language skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist pro per litigants with family law matters, guardianships and conservatorships.
• Review intake forms and refer clients for help or schedule by appointment.
• Interview and triage litigants, assess problems and suggest next steps.
• Help prepare legal forms prior to filing with the court.
• Explain filing processes and legal procedures to litigants one-on-one and in groups.
• Design and manage social media accounts to promote self-help services.
• Prepare and update written public materials.
• Maintain logs and data for grant reporting.

Skills

California family law knowledge

Legal research

Drafting legal documents

Client communication

Trauma-informed interviewing

Cross-cultural communication

Education

ABA-approved paralegal program certificate

Paralegal program certificate with 24 law units

Bachelor's or higher in any subject + 1 year law-related experience

High school diploma + 3 years law-related experience

Job description

Under the supervision of the Family Law Facilitator, this position will assist self‑represented clients with family law issues, guardianships and limited conservatorships; assess legal problems and the correct legal procedure for the customer's situation; perform a variety of paraprofessional legal duties; prepare legal forms and instructional materials; perform minimal legal research; promote self‑help services through community outreach, creation of promotional materials and management of social media accounts; and perform other clerical and/or administrative duties as required.

Note: Applications will be reviewed the week of 10/19/26.

Example of Duties

• Assist pro per litigants from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds with family law matters, guardianships and limited conservatorships, in person and through use of remote technology;
• Review litigant intake forms; refer litigants for walk‐in help or schedule services by appointment, as appropriate.
• Interview and triage pro per litigants, assess their legal problems and determine the appropriate next steps; make appropriate referrals;
• Assist pro per litigants with correct preparation of legal forms prior to filing with the court;
• Answer questions about court filing processes and explain legal procedure to pro per litigants one‑on‑one and in group/workshop settings;
• Identify non‑routine cases and ask for specific direction from supervising attorney; assist litigant in accordance with those directions;
• Review judgments forms/documents submitted by attorneys and pro per litigants for accuracy, completeness and compliance with relevant statutes and rules;
• Design and manage social media accounts for the Office of the Family Law Facilitator;
• Create, maintain and update written materials provided to the public;
• Maintain accurate logs, records and statistical data for purposes of grant funding;
• Assist Family Law Facilitator, other staff attorneys and court legal assistants as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

In accordance with California Business & Professions Code Section 6450(c), a Paralegal applicant must possess at least ONE of the following listed below:

1. A certificate of completion of a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association;

OR

2. A certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a post‑secondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester units (or equivalent) in law‑related courses, and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education;

OR

3. A baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree in any subject; a minimum of one (1) year of full‑time, 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 (3) years, or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three (3) years; and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks;

OR

4. A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma; a minimum of three (3) years of full‑time, 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 (3) years, or who has practiced in the federal courts of this state for at least the preceding three (3) years; and a written declaration from this attorney stating that the person is qualified to perform paralegal tasks. The three (3) years of full‑time, law‑related experience and training must have been completed no later than December 31, 2003.

*Applicable law‑related experience as mentioned in #3 and #4 above is defined as tasks which must have included conducting research of legal issues and drafting legal documents.

Note: Candidates qualifying under Option #1 above must submit, with their application, an attestation of completion of an American Bar Association‑approved paralegal program.

Note: Candidates qualifying under Option #2 above must submit, with their application, an attestation of a certificate of completion of a paralegal program at, or a degree from, a post‑secondary institution that requires the successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester units (or equivalent) in law‑related courses, and that has been accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization or approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Note: Candidates qualifying under Option #3 or #4 above must submit, with their application, the required written declaration from an attorney stating that the individual is qualified to perform paralegal tasks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity with principles of California family law, statutes, codes, court processes and rules of court, specifically those that govern practices involving pro per litigants;
• Ability to differentiate between legal information and legal advice and to establish and maintain boundaries with pro per litigants;
• Ability to understand and apply legal principles and practices;
• Ability to explain and clarify legal concepts in lay terms;
• Ability to identify and correct technical inaccuracies in documents;
• Familiarity with principles, methods, techniques and materials of legal research, analysis and writing;
• Knowledge of basic judicial structure;
• Knowledge and skill to perform mathematical calculations;
• Ability to prepare child and spousal support calculations using the Department of Child Support Services online guideline calculator and/or DissoMaster software;
• Knowledge of legal office terminology, processes and procedures, and the proper format for legal documents;
• Familiarity with general office practices and procedures, including the operation of modern office equipment and use of software, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Essential Forms, Zoom, etc.;
• Familiarity with the structure and use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and TikTok;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing, including proper spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Ability to work effectively with people experiencing personal crisis or when relations are strained, including use of trauma‑informed interviewing techniques;
• Ability to work effectively as an individual and as part of a team of staff and volunteers in a fast‑paced, emotionally‑charged, customer service environment;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, such as court employees in other departments and employees of community agencies and organizations;
• Ability to use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines;
• Skill to prioritize and manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and follow up on assignments;
• Commitment to court values.

Highly Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to speak, read and write in Spanish strongly preferred;
• Familiarity with the role, practices and procedures of the Department of Child Support Services;
• Familiarity with the services offered by community agencies and organizations that assist families and children and underrepresented populations in Sonoma County.

The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is committed to creating a diverse environment and an open, inclusive culture free from bias. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.