Litigation Paralegal III

Salary : $103,280.32 - $125,536.84 Annually
Location : City Attorney's Office, 740 State St., Suite 201, Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number:
Department: City Attorney's Office
Division: City Attorney - Administration
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

DESCRIPTION
THE POSITION
Under general supervision, assists attorneys in the preparation and coordination of all stages of litigation and transactional work. Coordinate and implement case and discovery tasks; work with staff and clients to obtain information and assistance on legal projects; evaluate and summarize legal data; and prepare for depositions, arbitrations, and trials; other related duties as assigned.

The Litigation Paralegal assists with case planning, development, and management, legal research, interviews clients, gathers facts and retrieves information, drafts and analyzes legal documents and collects, complies and utilizes technical information, to make recommendations to an attorney.

Under general supervision, assists attorneys in the preparation and coordination of all stages of litigation and transactional work; and performs other related duties as assigned.

Payroll Title: Litigation Paralegal III

Litigation Paralegal III: The Paralegal III position is the advanced journey level classification in the Paralegal series. Incumbents are responsible for exercising a high degree of independent judgement and performing the most complex and difficult paralegal duties requiring extensive legal knowledge, proficiency and skill in support of complex administrative, civil or criminal cases. Incumbents may act as a project lead and provide task supervision of subordinate staff. The Paralegal III is distinguished from the Paralegal I and Paralegal II by the former's level of technical specialization, lead function and complexity of assignments performed. Complexity is defined in terms of the depth and scope of involvement in a case and by the level of responsibility of procedural and functional guidance to lower-level Paralegal staff, while independently performing the full range of paralegal duties in support of the most complex cases. Five years of Paralegal or law office experience within a public or private sector law firm performing law related paralegal duties.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft and prepare a variety of legal documents, correspondence, and reports that are complex and require extensive original writing
• Perform complex legal research in which issues are not readily defined, and a substantial amount of research is required from a variety of references
• Establish internal procedures for organizing and processing work for departmental efficiencies
• Assist attorneys in extensive preparation of highly sensitive and complex cases at all phases of case preparation
• Provide lead direction, guidance, and coordination of work to subordinate staff to ensure case priorities are achieved through administrative efficiencies
• Files pleadings and other documents with court clerks
• Prepares affidavits of documents and maintains document files
• Investigates status of cases and locates witnesses or interested parties
• Assists in scheduling witnesses for trials and/or hearings
• Obtains and verifies information from defendants
• Arranges appearances of and prepares witnesses for legal procedures; prepares files for court
• Assists attorney at court with documents and information
• Communicates extensively with clients, opposing attorneys, and court staff
• .Performs related duties as assigned

SALARY & BENEFITS

• CalPERS retirement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Deferred compensation (457 plan)
• Flexible spending account
• Life and disability insurance
• Continuing legal educations and professional development opportunities

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Procedures and practices of civil litigation
• Principles and practices legal terminology
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation
• Methods of research, case analysis and report preparation
• Principles and procedures of record keeping
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws pertaining to area of assignment

Ability to:

• Coordinate and implement case and discovery tasks
• Research and compile data on a variety of legal cases
• Draft and prepare a variety of legal documents
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public
• Work independently in the absence of supervision
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Experience and Training Guidelines
The minimum qualifications for this classification must be met as set forth in the California Business and Professions Code section 6450 et seq. and continuing education requirements must be maintained throughout employment.

SELECTION PROCESS
Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited for an interview. Applications should fully describe relevant education, training, and experience. Final candidates will undergo a background investigation and meet all pre-employment requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the City Attorney's Office.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your account to view these emails.

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.

THESALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership, which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• A standard 9/80 schedule is observed, with most offices closed every other Friday.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year. Paid holiday time is awarded at the employee's applicable schedule, i.e., 9/80, 4/10, etc.
• Retirement: The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; City contributes employee 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: General Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan: Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment ($50,000 each) are provided.
• Employee Assistance Program: A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.

Revised 12/1/2024
01

Are you currently qualified under California Law Business & Professions Code 6450 as a paralegal?

• Yes
• No

02

Describe your experience drafting and preparing a variety of legal documents, correspondence, and reports that are complex and require extensive original writing. In your response, be sure to describe the types of documents you have worked on, name the employer(s) where you acquired the experience, and indicate your years of experience preparing such documents. If you do not have any such experience, type "no experience."
03

Describe your experience performing legal research in civil litigation matters. Indicate your years of experience conducting such research and provide one example of research you have conducted which highlights your skills in this area. If you do not have any such experience, type "no experience."
04

Describe any education, training, certificates, or professional development programs which you have completed and contributed to your skills as a paralegal. Please list each item and include a description of program you completed.
Required Question