Civil Litigation Paralegal / Legal Assistant

La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames is a statewide civil litigation firm with over 60 years of defense law excellence. Founded by John T. La Follette and Daren T. Johnson, the Firm first began practicing law in Los Angeles in 1965, and specializes in medical malpractice, elder abuse, general liability, employment law and products liability. Since its inception, the Firm has grown into one of California’s largest, most recognized and experienced defense law firms, with multiple offices throughout California.

At La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames, we understand that exceptional staff make the difference for our clients. We provide an environment in which our staff enjoy professional growth, the opportunity to work on meaningful and challenging matters with our clients, and excellent benefits.

Position Summary
The Civil Litigation Paralegal/Legal Assistant performs comprehensive legal, administrative, and trial support to one or more attorneys handling civil litigation matters. Responsibilities include case management, legal drafting, discovery, trial preparation and maintaining case files, calendars, deadlines, and correspondence under the direct supervision of attorneys.

Position Responsibilities

• Support attorneys through all stages of litigation, from initial investigation through trial preparation.
• Perform legal and factual research using Westlaw, court databases, and online resources to obtain case-related information.
• Draft, review, and finalize pleadings, motions, declarations, and briefs.
• Draft and respond to discovery requests, organize document productions, coordinate with clients to gather necessary documents, and prepare meet-and-confer letters.
• Draft case status reports, deposition summaries, medical summaries, and discovery summaries; identify missing records or materials as needed.
• Correctly format court pleadings for filing/eFiling with state and federal courts in accordance with applicable court rules, including the auto-generation of Tables of Authorities (TOAs) and Tables of Contents (TOCs).
• Coordinate and assist with the retrieval of medical, employment, and other relevant records.
• Track deadlines and support attorneys with case management activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or certificate in paralegal studies strongly preferred; an equivalent combination of education and/or experience will be considered.
• Minimum of two years of legal experience in civil litigation, ideally in medical malpractice defense.
• Thorough knowledge of legal terminology, litigation processes, and court procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent legal drafting, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and prioritize tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work professionally and maintain patience with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying professional competencies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in a professional manner.

Benefits and Terms

• 401(k) with employer match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable laws.