We're Hiring: Experienced Litigation Paralegal
Join Our Team at FitzGerald & Mulé LLP
FitzGerald & Mulé LLP is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal / Legal Assistant to support our California employment law practice. This is an exceptional opportunity for a detail-oriented professional who enjoys managing litigation deadlines, coordinating complex matters, and working closely with attorneys on sophisticated employment law issues. Based in Indian Wells, California, this in-person position plays a critical role in ensuring client service, operational excellence, and seamless case management across all stages of litigation. We offer competitive compensation based on experience, a collaborative team environment, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a respected employment law practice. More below:
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Litigation Paralegal / Legal Assistant will work directly with attorneys and support the full lifecycle of all litigated matters. This role is an integral part of managing the firm’s litigation calendar and deadlines on a variety of matters, including keeping the attorneys updated on specific deadlines. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who takes pride in precision, ownership, and supporting both litigation and day-to-day advice & counsel work. You will play a key part in ensuring operational excellence, while contributing to a practice that values client service, collaboration, and connection. This is an in-person position based in Indian Wells, California. The Firm may, in its discretion, consider limited and/or flexible work arrangements based on experience, performance, business needs, and the requirements of the position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Calendar & Case Management
Support attorneys across the full lifecycle of employment matters, including litigation (including PAGA and class action matters), pre-litigation strategy, and ongoing advice & counsel.
Serve as a central coordination point for case activity, ensuring efficiency, visibility, and follow-through.
Maintain accurate calendar deadlines under California Code of Civil Procedure, local rules, and federal rules for mediation, hearings, and filing.
Proactively ensure attorneys are clients are informed of upcoming obligations.
Track status of work using Smokeball software, input daily updates, workflows, including correspondence, scheduled calls, and meetings.
Open new file and client matters, maintain litigated files within Smokeball software.
Prepare documents for, and attend, meetings, as necessary.
Filing & Court Procedures
Prepare, review, and file pleadings in California state and federal courts, including e-filing and compliance with local rules.
Coordinate service of process, filings, and courtesy copies.
Stay current on jurisdiction-specific filing procedures and requirements.
Correspond professionally with court staff and opposing counsel office.
File documents with the courts (electronic, or in-person, as needed).
Track filing confirmations and follow-up as required.
Legal Drafting & Discovery
Assist with pleading, discovery requests & responses, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
Proofread and format legal documents for accuracy and compliance with court rules.
Assist attorneys with trial prep, exhibit binders, and document management.
Attorney Support & Case Oversight
Ensure attorneys are fully briefed on all client developments and case activity.
Provide reminders, summaries, and insights to help the legal team stay on top of details.
Take initiative to anticipate attorney and/or clients needs before they arise.
Client Communication & Support
Communicate professionally with clients, experts, court personnel, and vendors.
Support a practice that is deeply rooted in, and responsive to, the local community.
Back-up support answering the phones when Office Administrator is not available.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree
5+ years of California litigation paralegal experience, preferably including employment law, wage-and-hour litigation, PAGA representative matters, and class-action litigation.
Experience in contemporaneous timekeeping, and cloud-based law practice systems such as Smokeball.
Demonstrated experience with California court procedures, e-filing systems, and deadline management.
Experience in preparation and organization of case pleadings, correspondence and discovery.
Preferred
Paralegal certification
Required Technical / Other Skills and Abilities
Ability to maintain attorney calendar and scheduling.
Knowledge of court forms, rules and filing procedures in California.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, and Excel (formatting, styles, tables of contents/authorities, document comparison)
Familiarity with e-filing platforms (e.g., One Legal, File&Serve, PACER/ECF)
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Self-starter mindset with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
FitzGerald & Mulé LLP welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest to admin@fitzgeraldmulelaw.com. All inquiries will be maintained in confidence.