What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Law Paralegal position at Heidi Collier Law?
Job Title: Family Law Paralegal
Location: San Diego / Escondido, CA (On-site/Hybrid) Firm Type: Family Law Litigation
Job Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Family Law Paralegal to expand our team. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience navigating the California family law system, from initial filing through trial preparation. You will be responsible for managing a heavy caseload, drafting legal documents, calendaring, meeting filing deadlines, and ensuring respectful communication with clients and the court.
Key Responsibilities
- Document Preparation: Draft and finalize Petitions, Responses, Declarations of Disclosures, Requests for Order (RFOs), Income & Expense Declarations, and Judgments.
- Financial Calculations: Prepare accurate support calculations (child and spousal) using XSpouse.
- Case Management: Maintain organized digital files and track deadlines within MyCase and/or Clio.
- Timekeeping & Billing: Ensure all billable time is captured accurately using Timeslips or integrated billing tools.
- Discovery: Draft and respond to discovery requests, including Form Interrogatories, Requests for Production, and Subpoenas.
- Court Filing: Handle electronic filings (e-filing) via the San Diego Superior Court portal and ensure compliance with local rules.
- Communication: Act as a primary point of contact for clients, opposing counsel, and court clerks.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of experience as a Family Law Paralegal in California.
- Technical Proficiency (Must-Have):
- Legal Software: Deep familiarity with CEB Essential Forms, Xspouse or similar tools.
- Practice Management: Proficiency in MyCase or Clio.
- Productivity: Advanced skills in Microsoft Word (pleading formatting, TOC/TOA).
- Billing: Experience with Timeslips or similar time-tracking software.
- Local Knowledge: Solid understanding of San Diego County local court rules and procedures.
- Certification: Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program (in compliance with CA Business and Professions Code § 6450).
Preferred Attributes
- Notary Public commission is a plus.
- Strong empathetic communication skills for handling sensitive family matters.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced Escondido-based practice.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $75,000 – $150,000 per year (Starting pay is DOE).
- Technical Premium: Candidates with demonstrable mastery of XSpouse, CEB Essential Forms, and MyCase are eligible for the higher end of the salary range.
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Pay: $75,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your proficiency in using XSpouse to run child and spousal support calculations independently?
- Which Case Management system are you most comfortable using for calendaring and document storage: MyCase, Clio, or another system?
- Are you currently in compliance with CA Business and Professions Code § 6450 regarding paralegal certification and CLE requirements?
- How many years of experience do you have as a paralegal in family law in San Diego County?
Work Location: In person
Salary : $75,000 - $150,000