Government Law Paralegal

Government Law Paralegal sought by Rutan & Tucker, LLP. One of California’s largest full-service law firms. Desired applicants will have a minimum of 5 years of complex litigation experience. This is a hybrid, full-time, non-exempt position. This position supports attorneys in all phases of state and federal litigation, from case inception through trial and any appeal.

The ideal candidate will have trial and litigation experience background specifically litigation paralegal with some experience relating to public agency work.  The primary tasks will be pertaining to CEQA administrative records, general litigation for public agencies, eminent domain actions, code enforcement actions, public records act requests.

Will demonstrate strong technical proficiency, in-depth knowledge of California Civil Procedure, California Appellate Procedure, and Federal Civil Procedure, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage high-stakes matters with precision and accountability.

This role requires a detail-oriented, highly responsible professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can independently manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy, procedural compliance, and confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management & Pre-Trial Support

Manage litigation matters from inception through trial and post-trial proceedings.

Draft, prepare, cite-check and otherwise assist with pleadings, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, and correspondence.

Track and calculate deadlines under the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and local court rules.

Maintain and monitor case calendars and ensure strict compliance with court-imposed deadlines and scheduling orders.

Coordinate and manage written discovery, document productions, and deposition preparation.

Prepare deposition notices and subpoenas (California and out-of-state) in compliance with procedural rules.

Trial Preparation & Support

Prepare trial binders, exhibit lists, witness lists, jury instructions and other pre-trial documents.

Coordinate filing and service of trial documents in state and federal courts.

Manage trial logistics, including courtroom technology, exhibit tracking, and trial presentation systems.

Provide in-court trial support, including exhibit management, document retrieval, and witness coordination.

Assist with post-trial motions and related filings.

Appellate Support

Assist in preparing and filing notices of appeal and cross-appeal.

Manage appellate deadlines and briefing schedules in California Courts of Appeal and federal appellate courts.

Coordinate preparation and assembly of appellate appendixes.

Coordinate electronic filing of appellate briefs and motions in compliance with court-specific rules.

Technical & E-Discovery Support

Utilize litigation support and e-discovery platforms (e.g., Relativity, CS Disco or similar).

Conduct and manage document review and large-scale productions.

Use trial presentation software (e.g., TrialDirector, OnCue, or similar).

Legal Research & Procedural Knowledge

Demonstrate strong working knowledge of:

California Code of Civil Procedure

California Rules of Court (including appellate rules)

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure

Local rules for California state and federal courts

Perform procedural research and assist with compliance analysis.

Qualifications

Minimum 5 years of complex litigation experience, including trial support; appellate experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated experience in California state and federal court practice, including appellate filings.

Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or equivalent experience preferred.

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and document management systems,

Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly learn new litigation technologies.

Core Competencies

Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to formatting, procedural requirements, citation accuracy, and deadlines.

Highly Responsible: Takes ownership of assigned matters and proactively ensures procedural compliance.

Deadline-Driven: Skilled at managing multiple, overlapping trial and appellate schedules.

Technically Proficient: Comfortable working with litigation databases, e-filing systems, and presentation software.

Analytical & Precise: Understands litigation and appellate strategy and anticipates procedural needs.

Professional & Discreet: Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment.

Work Environment:

This position is located in our Irvine, California office. This a hybrid position. Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of our commitment to inclusion in our workplace.

Government Law Paralegal Salary Range:

Annual Salary Range: $105,000 – $120,000 depending on experience.

Application Process:

Interested candidates with the necessary qualifications should submit a one page resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience to Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager.

Subject line for submission should read: Rutan & Tucker, Government Law Paralegal Applicant