Associate Attorney

Lorber, Greenfield & Olsen, LLP; Newport Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Remote / hybrid / in-office

Flexible paid leave

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Flex spending plan

401(k) + employer match

Job summary

Lorber, Greenfield & Olsen, LLP, a trusted civil litigation defense firm in Southern California, seeks a Civil Litigation Associate with 2–3+ years of experience. You’ll draft motions, take and defend depositions, and represent clients at trial, arbitration, and mediation with direct access to partners.

Expect significant responsibility from day one and a path to real influence on cases. Ideal candidates are proficient in the California court system, excel in written and verbal communication,

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years of civil litigation experience with real responsibility.
• Track record of drafting and arguing motions that hold up in court.
• Confident navigating the California court system.
• Skilled at depositions and witness examinations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to clarify complex issues.
• Strong analytical judgment; able to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Draft and file motions, pleadings, and discovery with precision.
• Represent clients in trials, arbitrations, depositions, and mediations.
• Keep clients and insurers informed and confident throughout the process.
• Deliver sound legal advice grounded in real litigation experience.
• Own your docket; manage day-to-day tasks and meet billable targets.

Skills

Civil litigation

Motion practice

Deposition experience

Communication skills

California Bar

Job description

Lorber, Greenfield & Olsen, LLP has been a trusted name in civil litigation defense for over 46 years. Since 1980, we've built our reputation on successfully representing developers and general contractors in complex construction defect and casualty claims — and our AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell is a testament to the caliber of work we deliver. We're a firm that takes its cases seriously and its people even more so.

We believe in empowering our employees to work where they're most productive. Whether you prefer being onsite, working remotely, or a hybrid approach, the choice is yours. We trust our team members to choose the work arrangement that best fits their lifestyle and working style.

The Role

We're looking for a sharp, motivated Civil Litigation Associate to join our Southern CA litigation team. You'll be a core part of how we serve our clients — handling substantive work from day one, with real responsibility and direct access to firm partners. This isn't a seat-warmer position. You'll draft and argue motions, take and defend depositions, represent clients in trial, arbitration, and mediation, and provide strategic counsel that actually moves the needle.

• Draft and file motions, pleadings, and discovery with precision and persuasion
• Represent clients in trials, arbitrations, depositions, and mediations
• Keep clients and their insurers informed and confident throughout the process
• Deliver sound legal advice grounded in real litigation experience
• Own your docket — manage day-to-day litigation tasks and meet billable targets

What We're Looking For

• 2–3+ years of civil litigation experience (you've done this before and enjoyed it)
• A track record of drafting and arguing motions that hold up in court
• Confidence navigating the California court system
• Skilled at depositions and witness examinations
• Excellent written and verbal communication — you make complex things clear
• Strong analytical instincts and the judgment to use them
• Comfortable working independently and collaborating as part of a team
• Active member of the California State Bar
• Background in construction or casualty claims? That's a big plus

Benefits & Perks

• Bonus opportunities
• Work-life balance
• Remote / hybrid / in-office
• Flexible paid leave
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Flex spending plan
• 401(k) + employer match

We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and experience levels — if this role excites you, we want to hear from you. The base salary range starts at $100,000–$150,000, and for the right candidate, compensation scales beyond that based on your qualifications and expertise. We'll talk through the full picture in your first conversation with us. We look forward to hearing from you!