Litigation Paralegal
Job description
About the role
This position delivers comprehensive litigation support to attorneys in a Los Angeles-based law firm. The work spans discovery, motion practice, hearings, and trial under attorney direction.
Legal roles protect a company against risk while keeping business moving. Lawyers advise on contracts, deals, and disputes. Compliance teams make sure the company follows the rules that apply to it. Paralegals keep the paperwork, filings, and deadlines in order. Precision and judgment are the core skills. Legal teams manage risk while enabling deals and launches. Most work is deadline driven, and confidentiality is a constant requirement.
Key facts
What you'll do
Federal and state courts receive documents prepared in accordance with filing rules, with docket entries tracked through PACER/ECF systems. Legal research shapes drafted pleadings, correspondence, and discovery responses that meet attorney expectations. Citations are verified and exhibits arranged to finalize briefs ready for submission. Case progression stays timely and accurate because files, calendars, and deadlines are managed with consistent oversight. Evidence and case materials are tracked in databases or spreadsheets during coordinated large-scale document productions. Witness binders, exhibits, and trial logistics are assembled to support preparation before proceedings. Clear communication is maintained with attorneys, clients, and external parties regarding procedural and substantive updates. Assigned tasks outside standard responsibilities are handled as directed by the supervising team.
Requirements
A bachelor's degree or a paralegal certificate is required as proof of foundational legal knowledge. At least 5 years of litigation experience is required to demonstrate practical familiarity with courtroom processes. Filing procedures and court rules, including PACER/ECF usage, are understood and correctly applied in practice. Strong research, drafting, and document management skills are shown through previous complex case work. Excellent communication, organization, and time management abilities are used to handle demanding workloads. The capacity to manage multiple projects and adapt to shifting priorities is demonstrated in fast-paced situations. Detail is handled meticulously, and work proceeds effectively both independently and within collaborative settings. Trial experience, mass tort or MDL experience, and Excel proficiency are preferred when available.
Practical notes
This role requires a bachelor's degree or paralegal certificate and 5+ years of litigation experience. Typical interview steps
Legal interviews usually include a contract review exercise, a compliance scenario, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to flag issues in a sample agreement or explain a regulatory question. Past experience with specific practice areas carries the most weight. Interviewers often present a sample contract and ask what you would flag. Working through it out loud, risk by risk, is the strongest approach.
Good to know
Work in this role typically involves document preparation, case management, and trial support using standard legal software. Professionals in this field rely on strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines. Clear communication with attorneys, clients, and external parties is a regular part of the work. The role often requires coordination of large volumes of evidence and procedural filings. Success depends on the ability to adapt to shifting priorities while maintaining organized records.
Questions to ask
Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.
Career growth
Legal careers grow from associate to senior counsel, general counsel, and chief legal officer roles. Compliance specialists can move into risk or governance leadership. Specialization by practice area, from employment law to corporate transactions, is common. Legal careers reward precision and commercial awareness. In-house roles value speed and judgment over exhaustive analysis.
About the company
Barnes & Thornburg LLP is seeking a motivated attorney with international trade experience to join our Washington, D. C. office.