Experienced California Family Law Paralegal - Hybrid

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced California family law paralegal who takes ownership, produces excellent work, stays ahead of deadlines, and becomes someone the attorney and team can truly depend on.

We care less about the number of years on your résumé and more about what you can actually do.

This is not an entry-level or training position. You must have substantial, hands-on California family law experience and be able to:

• Independently draft Requests for Order (RFOs), declarations, responsive pleadings, and other family law documents.

• Prepare Income and Expense Declarations, disclosures, discovery, stipulations, judgments, and Judicial Council forms.

• Manage multiple cases, tasks, and deadlines without constant reminders.

• Produce polished, attorney-ready work with exceptional attention to detail.

• Prepare matters for hearings, mediation, settlement conferences, and trial.

• Communicate professionally with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.

• Anticipate what needs to happen next and proactively keep the attorney on top of deadlines and outstanding tasks.

• Take ownership when something needs attention rather than waiting to be told what to do.

MyCase experience is a plus, but not required. If you know California family law, are comfortable with technology, and learn quickly, we can teach you our system.

The Right Personality Matters Too

Being technically excellent isn't enough. We want someone who is also a good teammate and a positive presence in the firm.

You should be professional, dependable, accountable, respectful, easy to work with, and willing to pitch in when someone needs help.

Family law has enough drama. We don't need it inside the office.

This probably isn't the right position if you need constant supervision, regularly miss deadlines, turn in sloppy work, have poor follow-through, resist feedback, bring negativity or gossip into the workplace, or have a “that's not my job” mentality.

We don't expect perfection. We do expect accountability.

• $39 - $48 per hour, full-time; Hybrid schedule — 2–3 days per week in our Torrance office.

• This position includes a 90-day introductory period followed by a formal performance review.

• Independently draft Requests for Order (RFOs), responsive declarations, supporting declarations, attorney fee declarations, and Memoranda of Points and Authorities.

• Draft clear, persuasive factual declarations based on client interviews, documents, evidence, and attorney direction.

• Prepare Income and Expense Declarations, financial disclosures, discovery, stipulations, judgments, and Judicial Council forms.

• Conduct legal and factual research necessary to assist with preparation of pleadings and motions.

• Manage assigned cases and proactively keep matters moving forward.

• Track court deadlines, filing deadlines, discovery deadlines, and attorney tasks to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

• Proactively keep the attorney organized and on top of upcoming deadlines, outstanding tasks, and matters requiring attention.

• Review case files and identify missing documents, evidence, information, or necessary client follow-up.

• Draft professional correspondence to clients, opposing counsel, experts, and other professionals.

• Communicate directly with clients regarding documents, deadlines, case status, and outstanding information.

• Coordinate court filings, e-filing, service of process, and service of pleadings.

• Assist attorneys with preparation for hearings, mediation, settlement conferences, depositions, and trials.

• Organize exhibits, evidence, hearing binders, and trial materials.

• Draft and respond to family law discovery and assist with document production.

• Maintain accurate, organized, and current electronic case files and task lists.

• Proofread all work product carefully for accuracy, completeness, formatting, citations, dates, names, exhibits, and consistency before attorney review or filing.

• Anticipate what needs to happen next rather than waiting for the attorney to assign every task.

• Prioritize multiple active cases and competing deadlines in a fast-paced California family law practice.

• Work collaboratively with attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, and pitch in when another team member needs assistance.

• Maintain professional and compassionate communication with clients dealing with stressful or high-conflict family law matters.

• Take ownership of assigned work, communicate problems early, and help identify solutions.

• Use MyCase and other firm technology to manage tasks, documents, communications, and case information. MyCase experience is a plus but not required.

• Must be a self-starter.

• Excellent writing skills.

• Ability to manage and organize multiple cases, ensuring all tasks and deadlines are met without needing constant reminders.

• Proven track record of preparing Income and Expense Declarations, disclosures, and other essential documents to support clients' cases.

• Strong communication skills to effectively and professionally interact with clients, opposing counsel, and court personnel.

• Proactive approach in anticipating upcoming needs and assisting the attorney in staying ahead of deadlines and tasks.

• Experience in preparing cases for hearings, mediation, settlement conferences, and trials, ensuring all materials are ready and organized.

• Demonstrated ability to produce attorney-ready work that reflects exceptional attention to detail and professionalism in every document and interaction.

About Finan Family Law

Finan Family Law (FFL) is a fast-growing boutique California family law firm in Torrance. We are a small, high-performing team where every person matters, and great work gets noticed.

We believe experienced professionals should be trusted, appreciated, and given autonomy—not micromanaged.

In return, we have high expectations.

What We Offer

• Health insurance.

• 401(k).

• Paid vacation and holidays.

• Meaningful responsibility and autonomy.

• Supportive, team-oriented environment.

• Opportunity for long-term growth.