Associate Attorney

Garcia | Marsalli, LLP; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Travel within California

Mentorship and training

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

Garcia | Marsalli, LLP seeks an Associate Attorney with 1–5 years of civil litigation experience to join a boutique, California-based firm focusing on construction defect and real estate matters. The role is hybrid, split between El Segundo and Bay Area offices and remote work, offering hands-on responsibility, client exposure, and growth within a dynamic team.

Under supervision of partners and senior attorneys, you will perform essential duties in litigation, including pre-litigation,

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing (required).
• 1 to 5 years of legal experience; civil litigation preferred (construction defect a plus).
• Strong legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and analysis on assigned matters.
• Draft pleadings, discovery, motions, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Attend depositions, hearings, and court appearances (in person or remote).
• Prepare matters for mediations, inspections, and trials; manage discovery.
• Maintain organized electronic case files and comply with firm procedures.
• Collaborate with support staff, experts, consultants, and vendors.

Skills

California Bar license

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Client communication

Job description

Associate Attorney (1 to–5 Years Experience)

Position Overview

We are a boutique, California-based Plaintiff civil litigation law firm focusing on construction defect, real estate and high value litigation cases, primarily representing homeowners, HOAs, property owners and business owners. We are seeking an Associate Attorney with 1–5 years of experience to join our dynamic, growing team. This is a hybrid role, with time split between our El Segundo and/or Bay Area offices and remote work. The position is well-suited for a highly motivated, early-career attorney who wants hands‑on responsibility, client exposure, and the opportunity to grow alongside a fast-moving, entrepreneurial, collaborative team.

Under the direction and supervision of the Firm’s partners and senior attorneys, the Associate Attorney will perform duties customarily expected of an associate attorney practicing construction defect law, including but not limited to the following:

1. Legal Research & Writing

• Conduct legal research and analysis on assigned matters
• Draft pleadings, discovery, motions, memoranda, and correspondence
• Summarize statutes, regulations, case law, and discovery materials
• Assist in handling matters through all phases of litigation, including pre-litigation, discovery, law and motion, mediation, arbitration, settlement, trial, and post-resolution tasks
• Prepare assigned matters for mediations, inspections, hearings, depositions, and court appearances
• Handle all aspects of discovery requests
• Review, organize, and analyze documents and records
• Attend, take and defend depositions, hearings, and proceedings (in person or remotely, as required)
• Maintain organized electronic case files and comply with firm procedures

3. Client & Relationship Support

• Participate in client communications, meetings, and status updates
• Assist with client intake, preliminary case evaluation, and conflict checks
• Work collaboratively with support staff, experts, consultants, and vendors
• Represent clients professionally and ethically at all times
• Assist with calendaring, deadlines, filings, and service of documents
• Follow established systems and workflows to ensure timely filings and client communications
• Participate in internal meetings, training, and professional development

5. Professionalism, Ethics & Firm Culture

• Practice law in compliance with all applicable laws, court rules, and the California Rules of Professional Conduct
• Maintain client confidentiality and professional discretion
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with clients, colleagues, staff, and third parties
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, team-oriented work environment

6. Intangibles

• Positive, enthusiastic, collaborative problem-solving skills
• Entrepreneurial, risk-tolerant, driven and ambitious disposition
• Fearless advocacy
• Team oriented, driven and problem‑solving attitude and disposition
• Strong sense of humor and passionate desire to achieve results are a must

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing (required)
• 1 to 5 years of legal experience (construction defect experience preferred, but not required)
• Strong legal research, writing, communication and organizational skills
• Client and results driven attitude and demeanor
• Strong public speaking and oral advocacy skills
• Willingness to learn, take initiative, and accept feedback

Preferred (but not required):

• Bar admission in Texas, Arizona, Idaho or any other Southwestern jurisdictions
• Interest in business development, networking, or client-facing work
• Book of existing business
• Base salary: Competitive six-figure salary per year depending upon experience and existing book of business
• Meaningful and competitive performance-based bonus structure and commission-style incentives tied to case resolutions and business development
• Hybrid and flexible work schedule
• Paid business travel within California as required
• Mentorship, training, and boundless opportunities for advancement
• Incredible opportunity to work at one of the most fun, energetic and preeminent construction defect firms in California

Our firm values collaboration, accountability, hard work, personal and professional growth and fearless advocacy. We work closely with a driven, ambitious and engaged support team. We place a premium on professionalism, mutual respect, work-life balance and strong interpersonal skills. We are technology-forward, efficiency-minded, and focused on building long-term careers—not just filling seats.

Travel & Physical Requirements

• Regular and extensive travel mostly within California and the Southwest for inspections, site visits, meetings, mediations, business development opportunities and hearings
• Ability to attend in-person meetings and court appearances as required

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.