Litigation Associate Attorney

A law firm seeks a California-licensed attorney with 2–4 years of civil litigation experience to join its San Diego, CA, office. The successful candidate will work alongside seasoned trial lawyers, gaining hands-on exposure to every phase of trial preparation and courtroom advocacy. This role offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage with 24/7 telemedicine access, paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, retirement savings with 401(k) and profit-sharing, as well as support for continuing legal education and marketing initiatives.

Duties

• Oversee a portfolio of contested matters from inception through resolution

• Develop trial strategies: conduct discovery planning, review records, interview clients, and prepare witnesses

• Perform in-depth legal research on complex issues and draft well-reasoned memoranda

• Take and defend depositions of lay and expert witnesses

• Draft, file, and argue pre-trial motions and attend related hearings

• Collaborate with support staff to ensure efficient case management and timely deliverables

• Negotiate settlements and liaise with opposing counsel to advance client interests

• Maintain regular communication with clients to provide updates and address concerns

Requirements

• Active membership in the California State Bar in good standing

• 2–4 years of hands-on litigation experience in areas such as product liability, premises liability, automotive warranty, tort, toxic tort, or environmental law

• Demonstrated ability to handle competing deadlines and prioritize tasks independently

• Strong client service orientation with the capacity to build rapport and trust

• Proven track record of producing high-quality written work and persuasive oral presentations

• Excellent critical-thinking skills for developing strategic responses during fast-paced litigation

• Capacity to collaborate effectively within a team of litigators while also functioning autonomously when needed

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school

Certifications

• Active California Bar License

Skills

• Exceptional legal research and writing proficiency, with meticulous attention to detail

• Superior analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess and navigate complex case issues

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact with clients, colleagues, and service providers

• Effective negotiation skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment under pressure

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new case-management software

• Flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities in a dynamic litigation environment

Benefits (Listed by Client)

• Health insurance (including 24/7 telemedicine access)

• Paid parental leave

• Flexible spending accounts (FSA/HSA)

• Life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability coverage

• 401(k) retirement plan with profit-sharing

• Paid time off for personal and professional needs

• Support for continuing legal education (CLE) reimbursement and marketing budgets