Job Description
Job DescriptionCommercial Litigation Associate Attorney
Sacramento or Los Angeles, CA
Direct Counsel is seeking a Litigation Associate Attorney with 4–7 years of experience to join a well-established California law firm with a sophisticated business-focused litigation practice. The firm represents businesses, business owners, individuals, emerging companies, and nonprofits across California and offers a collegial, collaborative environment with an emphasis on professional development, meaningful responsibility, and work-life balance.
Position Overview
The Litigation Associate Attorney will join the firm’s General Litigation practice and handle sophisticated matters through all phases of litigation. The practice encompasses a broad range of complex business disputes, including matters involving corporate formation, acquisitions and sales, intellectual property, real estate, construction, breach of contract, fraud, and interference with contractual relationships.
This role provides the opportunity to work closely with experienced litigators and trial attorneys while taking significant ownership of matters and developing strategic, practical advocacy skills. The ideal candidate will have strong litigation experience, excellent academic credentials, and exceptional research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
Responsibilities
-
Manage litigation matters through all phases, including pre-litigation strategy, pleadings, discovery, law and motion practice, mediation, trial preparation, and post-trial proceedings
-
Draft and argue high-quality dispositive and non-dispositive motions, including demurrers and motions for summary judgment
-
Draft pleadings, briefs, legal memoranda, discovery requests, and discovery responses
-
Take and defend depositions and assist with preparing witnesses for depositions and hearings
-
Conduct legal research and provide strategic analysis regarding complex business disputes
-
Appear at hearings, case management conferences, mediations, and arbitrations
-
Manage matters through discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation
-
Assist with trial preparation, including exhibit preparation, witness outlines, and coordination with experts
-
Collaborate with partners and senior attorneys to develop litigation strategy and efficiently manage cases
-
Communicate regularly with clients, opposing counsel, courts, experts, and third-party vendors
-
Independently manage multiple matters and deadlines while exercising sound judgment and maintaining high-quality client service
Qualifications
-
J.D. from an accredited law school
-
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
-
4–7 years of complex commercial litigation experience
-
Demonstrated experience drafting and arguing dispositive and non-dispositive motions
-
Experience taking and defending depositions
-
Experience managing cases through discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation
-
Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
-
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
-
Collaborative and client-focused approach
-
Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple matters and deadlines
-
Strong judgment and ability to take ownership of matters with minimal supervision
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $175,000–$210,000, commensurate with experience.
The firm offers a supportive and collegial work environment, sophisticated litigation experience, opportunities for professional growth, and reasonable workload expectations designed to support a fulfilling professional and personal life.
Location
-
Sacramento, CA
-
Los Angeles, CA