Paralegal - Litigation

Job Summary We are seeking a cutting edge, full-time Trust and Estate Litigation Paralegal to join our Sacramento, California office. This role will support attorneys in contested trust, probate, elder financial abuse, fiduciary duty, and related estate litigation matters. The position is hybrid and based in our Sacramento office, with in-office and remote work arranged consistent with firm needs and case demands.

The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of litigation paralegal experience, preferably including trust, estate, probate, or fiduciary litigation, and will be comfortable managing deadlines, coordinating filings, organizing discovery, communicating with clients and court personnel, and supporting attorneys through all phases of litigation. The ideal candidate will also be comfortable with technology and excited about the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency, organization, drafting support, research workflows, and client service, subject to attorney supervision and firm policies.

California Paralegal Classification Requirement

Applicants must be qualified to work as a paralegal under California Business and Professions Code section 6450. The selected candidate must meet at least one statutory qualification pathway, such as completion of an ABA-approved paralegal program; completion of a qualifying paralegal program or law-related coursework from an accredited postsecondary institution; a baccalaureate or advanced degree plus qualifying law-related experience under attorney supervision and the required attorney declaration; or another qualification pathway recognized by section 6450.

The selected candidate must also maintain required California paralegal continuing legal education certifications, including legal ethics and general or specialized law education, as applicable under section 6450.

Key Responsibilities

· Assist attorneys with trust, estate, probate, fiduciary duty, and related litigation matters.

· Prepare, organize, and maintain case files, pleadings, discovery, correspondence, exhibits, medical and financial records, estate planning documents, probate court filings, and litigation databases.

· Draft, proofread, and revise pleadings, notices, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, correspondence, exhibit lists, chronologies, and other litigation documents for attorney review.

· Coordinate and track court deadlines, discovery deadlines, hearing dates, mediation dates, trial preparation deadlines, and other litigation milestones.

· File and serve documents in California state courts, including probate departments, and coordinate with court clerks, process servers, vendors, experts, and opposing counsel.

· Assist with written discovery, document collection, document review, privilege review support, production preparation, deposition preparation, and deposition exhibit organization.

· Support attorneys in preparing for hearings, mediations, settlement conferences, depositions, arbitrations, and trial.

· Summarize pleadings, discovery responses, deposition testimony, financial records, estate planning documents, accountings, medical records, and other case materials.

· Communicate professionally with clients, witnesses, court personnel, vendors, and opposing counsel under attorney supervision.

· Maintain accurate records, calendars, task lists, and case status updates.

Required Qualifications

· 3–5 years of litigation paralegal experience.

· Qualification as a paralegal under California Business and Professions Code section 6450.

· Experience with California civil litigation procedures, court rules, calendaring, filings, service, discovery, and litigation deadlines.

· Strong drafting, proofreading, document organization, and case management skills.

· Ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines, and priorities with careful attention to detail.

· Professional judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential client and case information.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Proficiency with common legal technology, document management systems, e-filing platforms, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and litigation support tools.

· Comfort with technology and enthusiasm for using artificial intelligence tools responsibly within the legal workflow, subject to attorney supervision, confidentiality obligations, and firm policies.

· Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with attorneys, staff, clients, and outside vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience in trust, estate, probate, fiduciary duty, elder financial abuse, or conservatorship litigation.

· Familiarity with California probate court procedures and local rules.

· Experience reviewing estate planning documents, trust instruments, accountings, financial records, medical records, and fiduciary records.

· Experience supporting depositions, mediations, evidentiary hearings, and trial preparation.

· Experience using Clio or other practice management platforms.

Work Arrangement

This is a full-time position based in our Sacramento, California office, with the option for remote work. Remote work arrangements may depend on case needs, court deadlines, client meetings, team coordination, and firm policy.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $85,000–$95,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated ability to perform the responsibilities of the role.

Benefits information may be provided during the interview process and may include health benefits, paid time off, retirement plan participation, professional development support, and other firm-provided benefits, subject to eligibility and firm policies.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing their litigation paralegal experience, trust and estate litigation background, California paralegal qualification under Business and Professions Code section 6450, and availability for full-time work in the Sacramento office with optional remote work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have 3 years of trust and estate experience?

Experience:

• Litigation: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Paralegal Certificate (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sacramento, CA 95825