Start here
Log in to the portal →Or go to directlegal.legalconnect.com and log in with your email address and password. Use a current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. New to the portal? See our Creating a New Account guide.
What you will need
- Your documents as PDF files, one file per document
- The county where the case is filed
- The case number, exactly as the court has it on record
- Your billing code or client matter number, if your firm uses one
1 Click Place an Order
Log in to your account. On your dashboard, click Place an Order.
2 Choose eFiling
In What would you like us to do?, select eFiling.
3 Select the county and Subsequent Filing
Under Select State, choose California. In Select County, choose the county where the case is filed. Under Select Filing Type, choose Subsequent Filing (1). Some counties, such as Orange, also show Select Case Category.
Under eServe Case Participants, choose Yes if you want us to eServe the documents on the other parties (2). If you do, Automatically create Proof? asks whether a proof of electronic service should be created for you (3).
Answer the questions under Additional Order Information, such as Filer’s First Appearance? (4). Click Next.
4 Find the case
Type the Case Number and click Search to find the case (1). Enter it exactly as the court has it on record, including any dashes and letters. The example under the box shows the format to use.
Check that the Case Name, Case Category and Case Type match your case (2). Click Next.
5 Check the case participants
On the Case Participants tab, make sure your firm and your client are on the party list. The First Appearance Paid column shows whether each party has paid its first appearance fee. To add a party or attorney, click Add Party or Add Attorney and enter their information. Click Next.
6 Upload your documents
On the Documents tab, start typing in Select Document Type and choose your document from the list (1). Choose Contains or Starts With to change how the list is searched, or click Pick from list to browse.
Then click Upload from Computer and double-click the file to upload it (2).
6A Or upload from Clio or NetDocuments
If your firm keeps its files in Clio or NetDocuments, you can attach the document from there instead of from your computer. Click the arrow next to Upload from Computer and choose Clio or NetDocuments. Sign in if asked, then pick the file.
For the full steps, see Using Clio with Direct Legal Support or Using NetDocuments with Direct Legal Support.
7 Fill in the document details
Your files are listed under Documents To Be Filed. For each document, fill in the fields marked with an asterisk. For a proof of service, these include FILED BY, AS TO, SERVICE COST and SERVICE DATE.
Check Lead Document on the main document in the filing. Click Next.
8 Review the court fees
The Court Fees tab lists the fee for each document and the EFM Fees charged by the electronic filing manager, with the Total Estimated Court Fees. Make sure the right fee is chosen under Fee Name for each document (1), because the court may reject the filing if the correct fees are not selected. If a fee you need is not listed, click Add Additional Services and Fees (2).
Under Authorize Direct Legal Support to pay court fees, choose Yes or No (3). Click Next.
8A If you are eServing: choose who to serve
If you chose to eServe the case participants, the Serve Info tab lists the parties that require electronic service. Check each party you want to serve.
You can add more email addresses under Additional Email Address(es), or click Add Another e-Service Party. Click Next.
9 Choose your service level
On the Order Details tab, a notice says your documents will be submitted and awaiting clerk review (1). Choose a service level for the eFiling (2). If your firm tracks orders with its own number, enter it in Internal Reference Number (3).
If you are also having the documents served, open When would you like this attempted? and choose when we should attempt service.
The Fee Summary lists the court fees, the EFM fees, our eFiling fee and the total for your order (4). The prices and times shown are estimates based on the information you entered.
10 Add a message and submit
Type any Message to Court Clerk (1). Notifications shows who gets status updates about this order (2). Under Payment Method, check how the order will be paid (3).
By submitting an eFiling order, you consent to receive electronic service at the electronic service address you provided (4). When you are ready, click Submit (5).
11 Get your confirmation
Your order number appears to confirm that the order was placed. Click Print Confirmation(s) to keep a record of your order.
After you order
- Follow your eFiling under Pending Orders on your dashboard
- Find conformed copies under Closed Orders once the filing is complete
Good to know
Opening a new case? Choose Case Initiation in step 3. See our guide to eFiling for initiating cases.
Filing in Texas, Illinois, Indiana or Maryland? See that state’s eFiling guide.
Need it sooner than the times shown? Call us at (800) 675-5376 before you place the order.
Questions? We’re here to help.
Call our Litigation Division Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific, or email info@directlegal.com. Ready to order? Log in to the portal.
Prefer paper? Download this guide as a PDF to print or save. More guides: Client Portal Guides.