Senior Docket Specialist (Los Angeles or San Francisco)

The Senior Docketing Specialist is responsible for accurately managing the firm's calendar of critical legal deadlines and events. This position requires a highly detail-oriented professional with extensive docketing experience and a strong understanding of procedural rules in federal and state courts. The ideal candidate will be proficient in docketing systems, eFiling processes, and legal research related to rules of procedure to ensure all deadlines are properly calculated, entered, and communicated.

Essential Functions

• Review, enter, and maintain all court filings, pleadings, and related documents in the firm's docketing system.
• Calculate and calendar deadlines in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local court rules.
• Research and interpret procedural rules to confirm accuracy of deadline calculations and filing requirements.
• Monitor updates and changes to court rules and ensure the docketing system reflects current requirements.
• Perform regular audits of docket entries to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Communicate upcoming deadlines and procedural requirements to attorneys, paralegals, and staff.
• Generate and distribute docket reports for case management and scheduling.
• Coordinate with attorneys and staff to ensure timely filings and adherence to all court mandates.

  Non-Essential Functions

• Handle special assigned requests
• Complete other duties assigned by department supervisor

  Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• 5 years docketing experience
• Familiar with docketing software (e.g., Compulaw or similar software)
• Previous docketing experience in a large law firm setting preferred
• Strong knowledge of the litigation process and legal concepts.
• Strong understanding of court filing procedures
• Familiarity with the Federal and State Rules of Civil Procedure

  Success Factors

• Docket Management: Accurately enter, monitor, and maintain deadlines and court dates in accordance with federal, state, and local procedural rules using firm docketing systems (e.g., CompuLaw)
• Rule Interpretation and Research: Independently research, analyze, and interpret complex rules of procedure to ensure precise calculation and entry of deadlines.
• Quality Control: Review and audit docket entries for accuracy and compliance, providing guidance to junior staff when necessary.
• Customer Service Excellence: Provide outstanding service to attorneys, paralegals, and staff by responding promptly to requests, following through on all commitments, and ensuring all inquiries are handled with professionalism and accuracy.
• Collaboration: Assist in developing best practices and refining docketing procedures.
• Technology Proficiency: Utilize PACER, CompuLaw, LexisNexis, and eFiling platforms to support case management and filing processes.
• Reporting: Generate and distribute docket reports to attorneys and practice groups as needed to support litigation and transactional matters.
• Customer Service: Highly responsive and service-oriented; ensures that all internal clients receive prompt, accurate, and professional assistance.
• Accountability & Reliability: Manages own workload efficiently to meet or exceed departmental service expectations. It maintains exemplary attendance and punctuality and is available for work outside regular business hours when necessary.
• Work Ethic: Demonstrates integrity, dependability, and diligence in completing all assigned tasks promptly and accurately.
• Research & Analysis: Proficient in researching and interpreting procedural rules to support informed decision-making, problem-solving, and high-quality service delivery.
• Communication & Organization: Exhibits excellence in both written and oral communication. Able to prioritize, multitask, and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment. Maintains an organized work environment to ensure efficiency and accessibility to critical information.
• Attention to Detail: Demonstrates precision and accuracy in all work, minimizing errors and ensuring completeness in complex tasks and projects.

Work Environment

• Work Hours: Flexible schedule available - typically 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Later hours may be available as needed.
• Position is fully remote with availability to attend in-person/in-office meetings as required
• Non-Smoking environment
• Available to work beyond regular hours when necessary

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $95,000 - $115,000. The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location.

Steptoe LLP will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Steptoe offers a full range of benefits for you and your eligible dependents. Benefits currently include: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, dependent care, health care flexible spending accounts, 401K Plan, Profit-Sharing, Paid Time-Off and a robust Wellness Program.

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.