Associate Attorney

Southwest Law Firm, PLLC; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Southwest Law Firm, PLLC is seeking a motivated Associate Attorney to join their Veterans disability practice in Glendale, California. This position emphasizes legal writing and case analysis, specifically in VA disability appeals.

The ideal candidate should possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, an active license to practice in at least one state, and strong analytical skills. Benefits include 401(k), health insurance, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Strong legal writing and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to follow structured processes.

Responsibilities

• Review VA Rating Decision Letters and identify appeal opportunities.
• Draft legal briefs and arguments for Supplemental Claims.
• Collaborate with Appeals Team on case strategy.
• Report directly to the Operations Manager for oversight.

Skills

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Admission to the state bar

Job description

Glendale, United States | Posted on 05/28/2026

Southwest Law Firm is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Attorney to join our growing Veterans disability practice. This position focuses heavily on legal writing, case analysis, and VA disability appeals strategy rather than litigation or courtroom appearances.

The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, coachable, and capable of managing a high-volume workload while maintaining strong attention to detail and accuracy. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney interested in Veterans law, administrative law, and operational leadership within a fast-paced law firm environment.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Drafting & Case Analysis

• Review VA Rating Decision Letters and identify appeal opportunities
• Draft legal briefs and arguments for Supplemental Claims (VA Form 20-0995) and Higher-Level Reviews (VA Form 20-0996)
• Analyze medical and lay evidence to support service connection and increased rating arguments
• Ensure all arguments are tailored to the VA’s stated reasons for denial

Appeals Strategy Support

• Collaborate with Appeals Team and Case Managers on case strategy
• Identify when additional evidence is needed and provide guidance on next steps
• Assist in determining appropriate appeal lanes based on case facts

Quality & Compliance

• Follow firm SOPs and legal templates for all filings
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all legal documents prior to submission
• Maintain consistency in legal reasoning and argument structure across cases

Client & Internal Communication

• Provide support for attorney-level questions related to cases
• Participate in internal discussions regarding complex or escalated cases
• Assist in preparing for Higher-Level Review informal conferences when needed

Operational Support

• Meet turnaround time expectations for assigned cases
• Utilize internal systems (Monday.com, SharePoint, VBMS) to track and manage work
• Contribute to process improvements and template development over time

Leadership & Operational Oversight

• Oversee firm operational performance and support overall department accountability
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to operational management staff
• Work closely with department leaders to improve workflow efficiency, team performance, and cross-department coordination
• Support operational planning, process improvement initiatives, and organizational growth strategies
• The Operations Manager will report directly to the Associate Attorney role for operational oversight and leadership support
• Assist with maintaining accountability, consistency, and adherence to firm operational standards across departments

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; admission to the state bar is required.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state
• Strong legal writing and analytical skills
• High attention to detail and ability to follow structured processes
• Ability to manage a high-volume workload with accuracy
• Strong organizational and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in Veterans law or administrative law
• Prior experience in legal writing, research, or case review
• Familiarity with VA disability claims or willingness to learn quickly

Who You Are

• You are precise and detail-oriented, with the ability to produce consistent, high-quality legal work
• You are accountable and meet deadlines without the need for constant oversight
• You are coachable and able to quickly implement feedback to improve your work product
• You are comfortable working in a structured, process-driven environment with defined workflows
• You can manage a high-volume workload while maintaining accuracy and quality
• You communicate clearly and professionally with both clients and internal teams
• You take ownership of your work and ensure it is complete, accurate, and aligned with firm standards

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Southwest Law Firm, PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.