Associate Attorney

Burton Kelley, LLP; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Incentive bonus program

401(k) with employer match

Health/dental/vision insurance

Flexible vacation policy

Bar dues & MCLE reimbursement

AI-powered legal tools

Professional development opportunities

Client development support

Commuter benefits

EAP with Calm app

On-site wellness

Job summary

Burton Kelley LLP is expanding its litigation team in California, offering roles for Associate Attorneys to handle diverse civil matters in a collaborative environment.

We provide mentorship, flexible arrangements (full-time, hybrid, contract, and of counsel), and opportunities to advance toward partnership for the right candidates. Expect early access to trial work and client development from day one.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and a personable, proactive attitude.
• Ability to learn quickly and grow into an elite litigator with mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload under the guidance of a senior attorney or partner.
• Research and draft motions, briefs, discovery, and coverage opinions.
• Attend hearings, mediations, argue motions, take and defend depositions.
• Second-chair or lead trials with early opportunities based on experience.
• Engage directly with clients and develop lasting professional relationships.

Skills

Communication

Client engagement

Mentorship/growth

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. (ABA-accredited)

California Bar licensed

Tools

MS Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Burton Kelley LLP is a proudly women-owned civil litigation firm founded in 2004, recognized by Super Lawyers and known statewide for delivering big-firm results with a collaborative, boutique-firm culture. We are headquartered in San Diego and practice throughout California — from Superior Courts, Federal Courts, to appellate proceedings. Our lawyers have a track record that speaks for itself: back-to-back defense verdicts in complex multi-week bad faith trials, a standing ovation from a jury in Modesto, and summary judgment wins in multiple jurisdictions. We foster a collegial team environment and pride ourselves on delivering excellent legal services to our clients. We are expanding our litigation and coverage teams and are seeking attorneys and qualified post bar clerks who are ready to grow into elite litigators in a firm that will actually invest in them and foster professional growth and development through mentorship. Partnership opportunities are available for qualified candidates.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking Associate Attorneys and trial counsel to join our growing teams. Whether you are newly licensed or have 10+ years under your belt, we have a role for you. Flexible arrangements are available — full-time, hybrid, contract, and "of counsel" — structured to fit your life.

Practice Areas You Will Work In:

• Insurance Coverage Analysis & Examinations Under Oath (EUOs)
• Insurance Bad Faith, Rescission & Fraud Defense
• Third-Party Personal Injury & Liability Defense
• Professional Liability & Product Liability Defense
• Subrogation & Recovery
• Civil Litigation, Writs & Appeals

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Manage your own caseload under the guidance of a senior attorney or partner
• Research and draft motions, legal briefs, discovery, and coverage opinions
• Attend hearings, mediations, argue motions, take and defend depositions
• Second-chair or lead trials (early trial opportunities available based on experience)
• Engage directly with clients and develop lasting professional and client relationships

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The right candidate(s) possess excellent communication skills, a personable can do attitude, a curiosity for learning and genuine enthusiasm to grow into a well rounded lawyer and contribute to the overall success of the team. If you thrive when given responsibility, want to be the best lawyer your can be and want mentorship and not micromanagement Burton Kelley, LLP is the right place for you!

BENEFITS & PERKS

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary + incentive bonus program + discretionary year end bonuses and profit sharing
• 401(k) with 3% employer match (even without employee contribution) + vesting upon eligibility
• Firm-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance (with options to add dependents)
• Flexible vacation policy + firm outings and social events
• Bar dues and MCLE reimbursement
• Access to AI-powered legal tools to maximize your efficiency
• In-firm training seminars and professional development opportunities
• Client development opportunities from day one
• Commuter Benefits, FSA, Caregiver Support, Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including free Calm app access
• On-site wellness and crash out room

WHY BURTON KELLEY?

Here, you are not a number. You are a lawyer we are committed to developing and mentoring into an excellent lawyer!

• Real mentorship from experienced litigators who care about your trajectory
• Early access to trial, motion, and deposition work — not just document review
• A collaborative, collegial team — we work hard and genuinely enjoy each other
• A women-owned firm with a strong culture of inclusion and professional growth
• Partnership opportunities for those who want to build something here
• The flexibility to work in a way that fits your life without sacrificing career advancement

Required:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or post-bar awaiting results
• Active California Bar License in good standing or post-bar awaiting results
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat
• Valid driver's license

Preferred (not required):

• Experience in property coverage, bodily injury defense, or bad faith matters
• Deposition, motion, or trial experience

COMPENSATION & WORK ARRANGEMENTS

Salary Range: $115,000 – $170,000+ (DOE)

Job Types: Full-Time | Of Counsel | Contract

Work Location: In-Office, Hybrid, or Fully Remote