Paralegal Support Services Specialist

Kahana Feld; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Kahana Feld in Irvine, California seeks a Paralegal Support Services Specialist to provide cross-practice assistance, triage, and coverage for absences. The role supports multiple practice groups and ensures continuity of legal support across departments.

Responsibilities include drafting pleadings and discovery, scheduling hearings, managing case files, and coordinating court filings. At least 5+ years of paralegal experience in a law firm are expected; JD is a plus. Hybrid work after 90 days.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a legal environment.
• 5+ years paralegal experience in a law firm.
• Litigation and insurance defense experience preferred.
• Experience across multiple practice areas is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with civil procedure and trial procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform administrative duties such as scheduling hearings and deadlines.
• Draft, edit, and manage legal documents.
• Assist with legal research and document review.
• Coordinate filings with state and federal courts and understand e-filing processes.
• Provide coverage for paralegals during absences.
• Billable and non-billable work documentation according to procedures.
• Attend paralegal meetings and other assigned tasks.

Skills

Legal software

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

JD degree is a plus

Tools

Case management software

Job description

The Paralegal Support Services Specialist will provide support across multiple practice groups within the firm. In addition to performing standard paralegal duties, this role is responsible for paralegal triage, covering planned and unplanned absences (PTO, leave), assisting with trial and project overflow, and ensuring continuity of legal support across departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, hearings, and deadlines; organizing case files; and managing logistics.
• Draft, edit, and manage legal documents (e.g. pleadings, discovery, correspondence).
• Assist with legal research, cite-checking, and document review, as needed.
• Coordinate and track filings with state and federal courts and understand electronic filing processes for various courts.
• Manage case files and maintain document databases.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the code of civil procedure, civil code, local rules, and courtroom rules and procedures.
• Respond to urgent or last-minute requests that come into the Paralegal Triage email, for paralegal assistance across practice groups.
• Prioritize and allocate time effectively to handle simultaneous demands from different practice groups.
• Provide seamless coverage for paralegals on vacation, medical leave, or other absences.
• Step into active cases and projects with minimal transition time.
• Ensure continuity of client service and adherence to deadlines during coverage periods.
• Assess and communicate workload issues and capacity to the Paralegal Manager
• When required, assist with trial preparation and logistics, including exhibit preparation, witness binders, and evidence tracking.
• Provide in-office or on-site trial support as needed.
• Support legal teams during high-demand phases of litigation or transactions.
• Fill temporary gaps in paralegal staffing due to turnover or staffing transitions.
• Rotate across practice areas as needed to meet business demands.
• Work closely with the Paralegal Manager to assess where support is most critically needed.
• Accurately document and bill for all billable and non-billable work and tasks according to billing procedures, ensuring that annual billable hour requirements are met.
• Attend paralegal meetings and other meetings as required.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience working in a legal environment; JD degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of paralegal experience in a law firm setting.
• Litigation and insurance defense experience preferred.
• Prior experience in multiple practice areas a strong plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with all stages of litigation, including pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures.
• Ability to adapt quickly and work effectively across multiple teams and practice groups.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with legal software.
• Comfortable in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, especially around trial deadlines.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kahana Feld provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Job Type

Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Location

In-Office. Hybrid after 90-days of employment

Work Schedule

8:30-5:30pm Monday-Friday. Occasional weeknights, weekends, and holidays, as needed to meet firm's needs.

Physical Requirements

Primarily sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to walk short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials. Work can be performed with or without accommodation.

Travel

5-10% domestic travel by car and by plane.

Salary Description

$75,000 - $95,000