Associate Attorney: Civil Litigation & Real Estate Counsel

Orion Placement; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

A growing law firm in Santa Barbara, California is seeking an attorney with civil litigation experience. The role involves owning cases from start to finish, drafting legal documents, and building client relationships. Applicants should have active California Bar membership, 2+ years of experience, and strong analytical and communication skills. The firm offers a supportive environment centered on client service, with competitive compensation and benefits including dental and vision insurance.

Qualifications

• Active California Bar membership required.
• 2+ years of attorney experience, ideally in civil litigation.
• Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills required.

Responsibilities

• Handle matters across civil litigation and related business matters.
• Take ownership of cases from early stages through resolution.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and other legal documents.

Skills

Legal writing

Research skills

Analytical skills

Client-facing ability

Education

Active California Bar membership

2+ years of attorney experience

Job description

• Join a growing boutique firm where you can get meaningful responsibility early and work closely with business owners and decision-makers
• Handle a broad mix of civil litigation, real estate, landlord/tenant, employment counseling, and outside general counsel style matters
• Build strong client relationships and become a trusted advisor, not just a task-doer
• Work directly with experienced leadership in a firm that values responsiveness, practical thinking, and business-minded legal strategy
• Strong compensation potential with bonus opportunity, benefits, 401(k), and profit sharing

Location: Santa Barbara, California. Preferably on-site for strong collaboration and community connection, with openness to a hybrid arrangement for the right candidate.

Note: Must be licensed in California and have strong ties to the Santa Barbara area or surrounding community. Civil litigation experience is strongly preferred.

About Us

We are a growing law firm focused on delivering high-touch, business-minded legal counsel to a sophisticated client base. Our approach is practical, strategic, and relationship-driven — we aim to become long-term partners in our clients' success, not just handle isolated legal issues. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Handle matters across civil litigation, real estate, landlord/tenant, employment counseling, and related business matters
• Take ownership of cases and client work from early stages through resolution
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, correspondence, and other legal documents
• Conduct legal research and develop practical, business-oriented recommendations
• Participate in hearings, depositions, negotiations, mediations, and trial preparation
• Communicate directly with clients and help guide strategy on active matters
• Collaborate with firm leadership while working independently on day-to-day case responsibilities
• Support a client-service model centered on responsiveness, judgment, and long-term partnership

Qualifications

• 2+ years of attorney experience, ideally with civil litigation exposure
• Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills
• Comfortable managing substantive work with appropriate supervision
• Excellent communication and client-facing ability
• Existing ties to Santa Barbara or the surrounding community strongly preferred
• Real estate, landlord/tenant, employment defense, or business counseling experience is a plus

Why You Will Love Working Here

You will join a firm where your work matters and your judgment is valued. This is a chance to build real client relationships, expand your practice across multiple areas, and grow with a team that emphasizes strategy, service, and long-term impact over bureaucracy.