Trial Paralegal

Plona Partners; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Plona Partners in San Francisco is seeking a Senior Litigation/Trial Paralegal with 12–15+ years of substantive experience to support complex litigation, investigations, and trial preparations. This role operates in a hybrid environment with on-site collaboration alongside accomplished trial attorneys.

You will manage discovery, maintain case calendars, coordinate court filings, and mentor junior staff while leveraging Relativity, Opus 2, and AI-enabled tools to ensure precise, timely

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of substantive litigation paralegal experience in a sophisticated law firm environment.
• Extensive hands-on, in-person trial experience is required.
• Demonstrated ability to independently support complex litigation and trial teams.
• Advanced experience with discovery, document review, productions, and litigation case management.
• Strong proficiency with Relativity, Opus 2, and modern litigation technology platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support all phases of complex litigation, investigations, and trial-related matters.
• Manage and organize electronic case files, evidence, pleadings, discovery materials, and litigation records.
• Coordinate court and agency filings, including pleadings, briefs, motions, exhibits, and service requirements.
• Conduct factual and legal research to support attorney assignments.
• Maintain case calendars, project trackers, and litigation deadlines.
• Prepare, proofread, and cite-check briefs and other legal documents.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource on litigation procedures and specialized practice requirements.
• Oversee discovery processes, including document collection, review, analysis, and production.
• Coordinate deposition preparation, witness interviews, and document organization.
• Manage complex document searches and evidence analysis using litigation technology platforms.
• Utilize Relativity, Opus 2, AI-enabled legal tools, and comparable e-discovery platforms.
• Maintain accurate discovery records and ensure accessibility of critical case materials.
• Coordinate all aspects of trial preparation, including trial notebooks, exhibit lists, witness schedules, and courtroom logistics.
• Organize and maintain trial exhibits and evidentiary materials.
• Support attorneys during in-person trials, hearings, and other proceedings.
• Coordinate with courtroom personnel, opposing counsel, witnesses, and litigation vendors.
• Assist with trial-related document management, presentations, and logistical requirements.
• Travel to trial locations and provide extended-hours support when necessary.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to junior paralegals and project assistants.
• Coordinate assignments and deliverables across litigation teams.
• Maintain project status reports and communicate progress to attorneys.
• Collaborate with attorneys, litigation support professionals, and other firm departments.
• Accurately record billable time and maintain organized matter documentation.

Skills

Litigation support

Discovery management

Trial preparation

Case management

Research skills

Mentoring junior staff

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

ABA-approved paralegal certificate

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Relativity

Opus 2

AI-enabled legal tools

Adobe Acrobat

PDF manipulation

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 2–3 Days Onsite

Plona Partners is representing a leading international AmLaw firm seeking an accomplished Senior Litigation / Trial Paralegal to join its San Francisco office. Our client is recognized for handling sophisticated, high-stakes litigation and complex legal matters for prominent corporations and institutions. The firm offers a collaborative environment where experienced legal professionals work directly with accomplished trial attorneys on challenging and consequential matters.

Key Responsibilities

Complex Litigation & Case Management

• Independently support all phases of complex litigation, investigations, and trial-related matters.
• Manage and organize electronic case files, evidence, pleadings, discovery materials, and litigation records.
• Coordinate court and agency filings, including pleadings, briefs, motions, exhibits, and service requirements.
• Conduct factual and legal research to support attorney assignments.
• Maintain case calendars, project trackers, and litigation deadlines.
• Prepare, proofread, and cite-check briefs and other legal documents.
• Serve as a subject-matter resource on litigation procedures and specialized practice requirements.

Discovery & E-Discovery

• Oversee discovery processes, including document collection, review, analysis, and production.
• Coordinate deposition preparation, witness interviews, and document organization.
• Manage complex document searches and evidence analysis using litigation technology platforms.
• Utilize Relativity, Opus 2, AI-enabled legal tools, and comparable e-discovery platforms.
• Maintain accurate discovery records and ensure accessibility of critical case materials.

Trial Preparation & Courtroom Support

• Coordinate all aspects of trial preparation, including trial notebooks, exhibit lists, witness schedules, and courtroom logistics.
• Organize and maintain trial exhibits and evidentiary materials.
• Support attorneys during in-person trials, hearings, and other proceedings.
• Coordinate with courtroom personnel, opposing counsel, witnesses, and litigation vendors.
• Assist with trial-related document management, presentations, and logistical requirements.
• Travel to trial locations and provide extended-hours support when necessary.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to junior paralegals and project assistants.
• Coordinate assignments and deliverables across litigation teams.
• Maintain project status reports and communicate progress to attorneys.
• Collaborate with attorneys, litigation support professionals, and other firm departments.
• Accurately record billable time and maintain organized matter documentation.

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of substantive litigation paralegal experience in a sophisticated law firm environment.
• Extensive hands-on, in-person trial experience is required.
• Demonstrated ability to independently support complex litigation and trial teams.
• Advanced experience with discovery, document review, productions, and litigation case management.
• Strong proficiency with Relativity, Opus 2, and modern litigation technology platforms.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted legal tools and evolving litigation workflows.
• Advanced Adobe Acrobat and PDF manipulation capabilities.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent legal research, citation review, proofreading, and document-management skills.
• Experience mentoring junior paralegals and coordinating litigation support assignments.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage demanding deadlines and work effectively with multiple attorneys.
• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience in intellectual property or technology-related litigation preferred.
• Willingness to work overtime and travel as required by trial schedules.