Litigation Secretary

Novatelegalsearch; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Novatelegalsearch is seeking a Litigation Legal Secretary to provide administrative and litigation support to attorneys handling civil matters in California. The role requires strong court procedural knowledge, exceptional organization, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include preparing filings, managing calendars, drafting legal documents, supporting discovery and trial prep, and maintaining case files with confidentiality per California

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; legal secretarial training preferred.
• 3–5 years of legal secretarial experience in civil litigation is typical.
• Strong knowledge of California state and federal court procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, format, proofread, and electronically file pleadings and court docs.
• Maintain attorney calendars, court appearances, deadlines, and trials.
• Draft and revise legal correspondence and litigation documents.
• Assist with discovery, depositions, and trial binders.
• Open and organize case files; update case management systems.
• Coordinate with clients, opposing counsel, court staff, witnesses, experts.
• Organize trial exhibits and materials for hearings and trial.
• Schedule meetings and manage communications; handle expenses.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with CA Rules of Court.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Court filing knowledge

Proficiency in Word

Proficiency in Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Legal document management

Time management

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Legal secretarial training

Associate degree (preferred)

Tools

Legal document management system

E-filing platforms

Calendar management software

Job description

The Litigation Legal Secretary provides administrative and litigation support to attorneys and legal teams handling civil litigation matters. This role requires strong knowledge of California state and federal court procedures, excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced legal environment.

Responsibilities

• Essential duties and responsibilities:
• Court filings:
• Prepare, format, proofread, and electronically file pleadings, motions, discovery documents, notices, and other court documents through applicable e-filing systems.
• Calendar management:
• Maintain attorney calendars, court appearances, filing deadlines, discovery cutoffs, hearing dates, depositions, and trial schedules.
• Draft and revise legal correspondence, pleadings, subpoenas, notices, declarations, proofs of service, and other litigation documents from attorney instructions or templates.
• Litigation support:
• Assist with discovery requests and responses, deposition notices, deposition summaries, exhibit lists, trial binders, and document production.
• Case management:
• Open and maintain electronic and physical case files, organize evidence and correspondence, and update case management systems.
• Communication:
• Coordinate with clients, opposing counsel, court clerks, process servers, court reporters, expert witnesses, and other legal professionals.
• Trial preparation:
• Organize trial exhibits, witness lists, trial notebooks, court filings, and other materials required for hearings and trial.
• Administrative support:
• Schedule meetings, arrange travel when necessary, process expenses, manage incoming communications, and maintain attorney calendars.
• Confidentiality and compliance:
• Handle confidential client information appropriately and follow firm policies, court rules, applicable California Rules of Court, local court rules, and filing requirements.

Qualifications

• Qualifications and skills:
• High school diploma or equivalent required; legal secretarial training or an associate degree preferred.

Required Skills

• Typically 3–5 years of legal secretarial experience, preferably in civil litigation.
• Working knowledge of California state court procedures and federal court filing requirements.
• Experience with electronic court filing and service, calendaring deadlines, and litigation document preparation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and legal document management systems.
• Strong proofreading, typing, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize urgent assignments, work independently, and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.