Associate Attorney (0-1 Year)

Direct Counsel; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with profit sharing

Three weeks of paid time off

Career growth and mentorship

Job summary

Direct Counsel in Glendale, California seeks a Junior Associate Attorney to join our insurance defense pre-litigation team. This entry‑level role is ideal for a newly licensed attorney or someone with up to one year of experience, offering mentorship from experienced litigators and hands‑on exposure to case management and litigation preparation.

You will review claims, conduct legal research (Westlaw), draft pleadings and correspondence, manage deadlines, and communicate with clients, adjusters,

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• 0–1 year of legal experience.
• Interest in insurance defense, civil litigation, or pre-litigation practice.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills; Westlaw experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze insurance claims, policies, and supporting documentation to evaluate coverage and liability issues.
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and other legal research platforms.
• Draft pleadings, motions, correspondence, reports, and other legal documents.
• Assist with the management of insurance defense and pre-litigation matters.
• Prepare cases for depositions, mediations, settlement negotiations, and litigation.
• Organize case files and maintain accurate documentation.
• Communicate with clients, insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and other parties throughout the life of a matter.
• Support senior attorneys in developing legal strategy and resolving claims efficiently.
• Monitor deadlines and ensure timely completion of assignments.

Skills

Legal research

Communication

Organizational skills

Independent working

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Tools

Westlaw

Job description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Junior Associate Attorney to join a well-established California law firm specializing in Insurance Defense Pre-Litigation. This is an outstanding opportunity for a newly licensed attorney or someone with up to one year of experience looking to build a strong foundation in insurance defense while receiving mentorship from experienced litigators.

The ideal candidate is eager to learn, highly organized, and interested in developing litigation and case management skills within a collaborative and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze insurance claims, policies, and supporting documentation to evaluate coverage and liability issues
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw and other legal research platforms
• Draft pleadings, motions, correspondence, reports, and other legal documents
• Assist with the management of insurance defense and pre-litigation matters
• Prepare cases for depositions, mediations, settlement negotiations, and litigation
• Organize case files and maintain accurate documentation
• Communicate with clients, insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and other parties throughout the life of a matter
• Support senior attorneys in developing legal strategy and resolving claims efficiently
• Monitor deadlines and ensure timely completion of assignments

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar membership in good standing
• 0–1 year of legal experience
• Interest in insurance defense, civil litigation, or pre-litigation practice
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Experience using Westlaw or similar legal research tools
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team
• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Salary: $110,000 annually
• Annual salary reviews
• Performance-based bonus program
• 401(k) with profit sharing
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Three weeks of paid time off
• Long-term career growth and mentorship opportunities

Why This Opportunity

• Excellent opportunity for a newly licensed attorney to gain hands‑on experience
• Work closely with experienced insurance defense attorneys in a collaborative environment
• Receive meaningful mentorship and professional development
• Handle substantive legal work from the beginning of your career
• Stable, long‑term opportunity with competitive benefits and advancement potential

Schedule: Full-time, fully onsite in Glendale, California.