Docketing Clerk Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Join a team where your expertise truly matters. As a Docketing Clerk, you'll play a critical role in supporting attorneys and case teams across all stages of the litigation lifecycle. You'll be the trusted steward of deadlines, filings, and court driven requirements; ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and flawless coordination in a fast paced legal environment. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on detail, enjoys solving procedural puzzles, and wants to be a central contributor to high impact litigation work.

Essential Duties

• Serve as the go-to expert for all California court calendaring and deadline computations, managing and maintaining the firm's litigation docket with precision.
• Coordinate and prepare docket calendar events for attorneys and legal assistants, ensuring every detail is captured and communicated.
• Respond to court-related inquiries from attorneys, paralegals, and staff with confidence and clarity.
• Review and process incoming litigation documents via electronic delivery, overnight courier, or hand delivery calculating deadlines and updating the docketing database accurately.
• Generate clear, actionable reports outlining upcoming deadlines and required tasks.
• Proactively advise attorneys on docket-related issues and assist with clearing or de-docketing items.
• Research Federal, State, Appellate, and Local Court Rules, along with Judge-specific procedures, to ensure absolute compliance.
• Participate in firm-wide initiatives to enhance calendaring procedures, workflows, and departmental standards.
• Develop deep expertise in filing practices to confidently resolve filing questions and ensure every submission meets court requirements.
• Communicate directly with courts and administrative offices to verify rules, procedures, and filing expectations.
• Manage all aspects of court services, including electronic and paper filings, rule updates, and coordination with attorney service providers.
• Partner with litigation teams ahead of filings confirming cite-checks, reviewing documents for rule compliance, and handling filing and service logistics.
• Maintain and manage California attorney filing credentials, including setting up and troubleshooting court admission accounts.

Skills Needed to Be Successful

• Proficiency with docketing systems such as Milana, CompuLaw, or CourtAlert.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with a collaborative mindset.
• Hands-on experience with Federal, State, and Local court systems and electronic filing platforms (NYSCEF, PACER, First Legal, One Legal, TrueFiling, etc.).
• Strong understanding of litigation processes, legal terminology, court procedures, and docket management.
• A reputation for accuracy, integrity, and delivering timely information.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and the ability to juggle competing deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while remaining a reliable partner to attorneys and legal teams.
• Good judgment, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented approach.

Education & Experience

• 5+ years of legal experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

The salary range in CA for this position is $75,000 - $95,000 and represents the firm's good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, and locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Alston & Bird LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer does not discriminate on the bases of any status protected under federal, state, or local law. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in relation to our recruiting, hiring, and promoting practices.

The statements contained in this position description are not necessarily all-inclusive, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.

Professional business references and a background screening will be required for all final applicants selected for a position.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact donavan.mclean@alston.com.

Alston & Bird is not currently accepting resumes from agencies for this position. If you are a recruiter, search firm, or employment agency, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if Alston & Bird hires the candidate.