Staff
Rutan
Staff
If you are looking learn more about Rutan & Tuckers additional staff openings, please email hackermann@rutan.com.
Accounting Operations and Project Manager sought by Rutan & Tucker, LLP, one of California’s largest full-service law firms. The ideal candidate for this position will have a minimum of 10-20 years of recent related experience in a law firm setting.
This role is responsible for ensuring that accounting operations are efficient, well-controlled, and supported by strong financial systems, while leading finance-related projects from design through implementation.
The ideal candidate has strong technical accounting knowledge, excels in financial systems and process design, and is comfortable managing complex workflows and cross-functional initiatives without direct people management. This is a hands-on role focused on process ownership, systems optimization, and execution. This position is a full-time exempt position, and requires in-office presence of four days in office.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Operations & Process Ownership
- Own and continuously improve core accounting processes, including general ledger, month-end close, reconciliations, billing-related workflows, and financial reporting
- Ensure accounting processes align with GAAP and law firm–specific requirements, including accuracy, timeliness, and audit readiness
- Design, document, and maintain standardized accounting procedures and controls
- Identify inefficiencies, control gaps, and process risks, and implement practical solutions
Financial Systems Expertise
- Lead system implementations, enhancements, upgrades, and integrations
- Translate accounting, billing, and operational requirements into system configurations
- Ensure financial systems support firm reporting, compliance, and operational needs
- Expert knowledge with Aderant, Prebill Viewer, and Chrome River
- Maintain system documentation, controls, and data integrity
Project Management
- Lead accounting and finance-related projects, including system implementations, process redesigns, and compliance initiatives
- Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation strategies
- Coordinate with Accounting, Finance, IT, and external vendors to ensure successful execution
- Track progress and communicate status to leadership
Controls, Compliance & Audit Support
- Strengthen internal controls through well-designed processes and system-based solutions
- Support internal and external audits by ensuring documentation, controls, and data are accurate and accessible
- Assist with policy development and compliance initiatives as needed
Qualifications Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent experience
- Strong accounting foundation with hands-on experience in accounting operations
- Demonstrated expertise in financial and accounting systems
- Experience managing accounting or finance-related projects
- Strong understanding of how accounting requirements translate into systems and workflows
- High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong technology knowledge and adaptability
- Proficiency in SQL is highly desirable
Work Environment:
This position is located in our Irvine, California office. This is a hybrid position and requires four days in the office, Monday through Friday. Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of our commitment to inclusion in our workplace.
Accounting Operations and Project Manager Salary Range:
Annual Salary Range: $110,000 to $140,000 depending on experience.
Application Process:
Interested candidates with the necessary qualifications should submit a one page resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience to Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager. Subject line for submission should read: Rutan & Tucker, Accounting Operations and Project Manager
Rutan & Tucker, LLP is an equal opportunity employer.
Intellectual Property Secretary sought by Rutan & Tucker, LLP, one of California’s largest full-service law firms. Desired applicants should have at least five years of recent patent prosecution experience in a law firm setting. This is a non-exempt position. Role will provide administrative support for three attorneys.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
Candidate must be familiar with domestic patent prosecution processes and experienced in managing patent prosecution dockets for attorneys. Experience in filing documents with the USPTO is required. Candidate will preferably have some experience with foreign patent prosecution processes. Qualified applicants will be computer intuitive (including substantial experience using Excel), motivated and detail oriented with a strong work ethic, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively in a high-pressure environment. Excellent grammar, proof reading, and transcription skills are required. The successful candidate will have a high level of initiative, maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment and diplomacy.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively monitor filing deadlines noted on daily docket reports for all patent applications and issued patents (both Domestic and Foreign) and communicate accordingly with Docketing department.
- Proactively prepare template documents for attorneys in response to USPTO correspondences.
- Conduct filings with the USPTO and assignment recordation’s.
- Retrieve prebills and invoice documents from Accounting Department on a monthly basis; edit prebills per attorney comments; proofread and send approved invoices to clients.
- Apply strong proofreading skills to ensure documents are accurate before being filed or submitted.
- Utilize clear and professional communication skills with clients, vendors, and all personnel.
- Exhibit teamwork by aiding adjacent shares when asked, and, or when time permits.
Work Environment:
This is primarily an office-based position. The current schedule will be four days in office and one day remote work.
Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of commitment to inclusion in our workplace.
Intellectual Property Secretary Salary Range:
- Annual Salary Range: $85,000 – $95,000 depending on experience
Application Process:
Interested candidates with the necessary qualifications should submit a one page resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience to Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager.
Subject line for submission should read: Rutan & Tucker, Intellectual Property Secretary Applicant
Trial Paralegal sought by Rutan & Tucker, LLP. One of California’s largest full-service law firms. Desired applicants will have a minimum of 5 years of complex litigation experience. This is a full-time, non-exempt position and does require a schedule of five days in the office. This position supports attorneys in all phases of state and federal litigation, from case inception through trial and any appeal.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical proficiency, in-depth knowledge of California Civil Procedure, California Appellate Procedure, and Federal Civil Procedure, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage high-stakes matters with precision and accountability.
This role requires a detail-oriented, highly responsible professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can independently manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy, procedural compliance, and confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities
Case Management & Pre-Trial Support
- Manage litigation matters from inception through trial and post-trial proceedings.
- Draft, prepare, cite-check and otherwise assist with pleadings, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, and correspondence.
- Track and calculate deadlines under the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and local court rules.
- Maintain and monitor case calendars and ensure strict compliance with court-imposed deadlines and scheduling orders.
- Coordinate and manage written discovery, document productions, and deposition preparation.
- Prepare deposition notices and subpoenas (California and out-of-state) in compliance with procedural rules.
Trial Preparation & Support
- Prepare trial binders, exhibit lists, witness lists, jury instructions and other pre-trial documents.
- Coordinate filing and service of trial documents in state and federal courts.
- Manage trial logistics, including courtroom technology, exhibit tracking, and trial presentation systems.
- Provide in-court trial support, including exhibit management, document retrieval, and witness coordination.
- Assist with post-trial motions and related filings.
Appellate Support
- Assist in preparing and filing notices of appeal and cross-appeal.
- Manage appellate deadlines and briefing schedules in California Courts of Appeal and federal appellate courts.
- Coordinate preparation and assembly of appellate appendixes.
- Coordinate electronic filing of appellate briefs and motions in compliance with court-specific rules.
Technical & E-Discovery Support
- Utilize litigation support and e-discovery platforms (e.g., Relativity, CS Disco or similar).
- Conduct and manage document review and large-scale productions.
- Use trial presentation software (e.g., TrialDirector, OnCue, or similar).
Legal Research & Procedural Knowledge
- Demonstrate strong working knowledge of:
- California Code of Civil Procedure
- California Rules of Court (including appellate rules)
- Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
- Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
- Local rules for California state and federal courts
- Perform procedural research and assist with compliance analysis.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of complex litigation experience, including trial support; appellate experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in California state and federal court practice, including appellate filings.
- Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program or equivalent experience preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), and document management systems,
- Strong technical aptitude and ability to quickly learn new litigation technologies.
Core Competencies
- Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to formatting, procedural requirements, citation accuracy, and deadlines.
- Highly Responsible: Takes ownership of assigned matters and proactively ensures procedural compliance.
- Deadline-Driven: Skilled at managing multiple, overlapping trial and appellate schedules.
- Technically Proficient: Comfortable working with litigation databases, e-filing systems, and presentation software.
- Analytical & Precise: Understands litigation and appellate strategy and anticipates procedural needs.
Professional & Discreet: Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment.
Work Environment:
This position is located in our Irvine, California office. This an in-office based position and requires five days in the office, Monday through Friday. Our headquarters at The Boardwalk in Irvine, CA offers state-of-the-art workplace design and technology, and is located in one of the greatest places in the world to live and work – just minutes from some of Southern California’s best beach communities and shopping and a short drive from both desert and local mountain resort communities.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are proud of our commitment to inclusion in our workplace.
Trial Paralegal Salary Range:
Annual Salary Range: $100,000 – $130,000 depending on experience.
Application Process:
Interested candidates with the necessary qualifications should submit a one page resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience to Hannah Ackermann (hackermann@rutan.com), Human Resources Manager.
- Subject line for submission should read: Rutan & Tucker, Trial Paralegal Applicant