Litigation Paralegal

Litigation Paralegal — 30-Day Trial Engagement (Confidential Search)

Calabasas, CA (Hybrid)

• Contract
• $65–$95/hr

About This Role

This is a confidential search conducted by Interdependence on behalf of a longstanding strategic legal partner — a Calabasas-based plaintiff’s trial boutique — for a 30-day freelance litigation paralegal engagement in support of a California Superior Court jury trial set for June 2026. The engaging law firm will be disclosed to qualified candidates following execution of a standard mutual non-disclosure agreement and completion of a conflict check.

This is a sprint-style engagement with daily deliverables, close attorney supervision, a clear end date, and above-market compensation paid weekly. The right candidate is a seasoned California civil litigation paralegal between trials who can plug into a trial team and contribute substantively from day one.

Engagement Terms

• Duration: Approximately 30 days, beginning immediately, through approximately one week post-verdict (estimated mid-June 2026).
• Hours: 30–50 hours per week. Trial weeks heavier. Weekend and evening availability required during trial.
• Location: Hybrid. Most work remote.
• Rate: $65–$95 per hour, commensurate with experience and certifications. Paid weekly via 1099 directly by the engaging law firm.
• Engaging entity: The engaging law firm is the contracting party for this role. Interdependence’s role is limited to candidate sourcing and initial screening; the working relationship, supervision, and payment will run through the law firm.
• Supervision: Direct supervision by lead trial counsel and senior associate counsel, under California Business & Professions Code § 6452.

Core Responsibilities

• Trial exhibit preparation, exhibit-list management, and exhibit binders (paper and electronic).
• Deposition transcript review, designation/counter-designation tracking, and pinpoint citation cross-referencing.
• Motion in liminelogistics: tracking deadlines, formatting, e-filing through LASC One Legal or File & ServeXpress, assembling judge’s courtesy copies.
• Witness file maintenance — fact witnesses,retained experts, treating physicians.
• Subpoena issuance, service tracking, and witness coordination for trial appearances.
• Trial notebook assembly and ongoing maintenance through verdict.
• Cite-checking and California Style Manual compliance on motions, oppositions, and trial briefs.
• Document review support — productions are substantiallycomplete but supplementation is anticipated.
• Coordination with retained court reporters, videographers, and trial-servicesvendors.
• In-trial dailylogistics: courtroom setup, exhibit retrieval, witness check-in, end-of-day debriefs with counsel.

Required Qualifications

• Compliance with California Business & Professions Code § 6450: ABA-approved paralegal program, paralegal certificate from an accredited institution, baccalaureate degree with one year of qualifying experience, or high school diploma with three years of qualifying experience under attorney supervision.
• Minimum five (5) years of California civil litigation paralegal experience.
• Demonstrated jury-trial preparation experience — at least three matters thatproceeded to or through trial in California Superior Court.
• Fluency in the Los Angeles Superior Court e-filing ecosystem (One Legal, File &ServeXpress, or Case Anywhere).
• Hands-on competence with California Code of Civil Procedure deadlines, the California Rules of Court, and Los Angeles Superior Court local rules.
• Working knowledge of CCP §§ 998, 2024.030, the 2034 series, and the CACI jury instruction structure.
• Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Pro (Bates stamping, redaction, OCR), and at least one document review or trial-presentation platform (TrialDirector,OnCue, or equivalent).
• Discretion, professionalism, and the ability to keepconfidences. Non-negotiable.

Strongly Preferred

• Prior trial-team experience ona premises liability, TBI, or catastrophic personal injury matter.
• Familiarity with Beverly Hills Courthouse procedures and Department 205.
• Experience withmedical-records review and expert-file management (life care planning, neuropsychology, vocational economics, biomechanics).
• California Notary Publiccommission.
• Experience supporting both a lead trial lawyer and second-chair attorney in a coordinated trial team.

What You’ll Get

• Direct access to se