Associate Attorney - Personal Injury

Job Overview

A law firm seeks an Associate Attorney in Bakersfield, CA, with 1-3 years of personal injury litigation experience. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload, working under the guidance of experienced trial attorneys. This role offers an opportunity to join a plaintiff-focused firm that values excellence and collaboration.

Duties

• Manage a caseload of personal injury matters from intake through settlement or trial.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, discovery, motions, and settlement demands.
• Take and defend depositions, attend mediations, and participate in trial preparation.
• Advise clients on case strategy, legal risks, and potential outcomes.
• Participate in strategy development with partners and litigation teams.
• Represent clients in negotiations, arbitrations, and court proceedings.
• Collaborate closely with paralegals, case managers, and support staff to ensure seamless case progression.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in the California Bar.
• 1-3 years of experience in personal injury litigation, preferably on the plaintiff side.
• Strong understanding of California tort law, discovery, and trial procedure.
• Proven ability to manage personal injury cases independently.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong organizational and case management abilities with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Commitment to representing injured clients with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.

Education

• J.D. from an accredited law school.

Certifications

• Active membership in the California Bar.

Skills

• Experience with bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or wrongful death cases preferred.
• Familiarity with case management and litigation software (e.g., Litify, SmartAdvocate, Filevine, Clio, or similar).
• Demonstrated passion for client advocacy and achieving justice for the injured.
• Proactive, driven, and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a team while taking initiative on assigned cases.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and mentorship from experienced trial attorneys.
• Opportunities for advancement within the firm.
• Hands-on courtroom and trial experience early in your career.
• Career path development within litigation, operations, and leadership.
• Paid time off and flexible hybrid work options to support work-life balance.
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture where your voice matters and your work makes a difference.