Associate Attorney - Entry Level

Kosmos; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Kosmos, a boutique California-based plaintiff civil litigation firm in San Francisco, seeks an Associate Attorney with 0–5 years of experience. The role is hybrid, offering hands-on responsibility, client exposure, and opportunities to grow with a fast-moving, entrepreneurial team.

Under supervision of partners and senior attorneys, you will conduct legal research, draft pleadings, manage discovery, and support case handling through all litigation stages, while upholding ethics and client

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing (required).
• 0 to 5 years of legal experience in civil litigation; construction defect experience preferred.
• Strong legal research, writing, communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness to learn, take initiative, and accept feedback.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, discovery, motions, and memoranda.
• Prepare matters for mediations, depositions, hearings, and court appearances; manage discovery.
• Engage in client communications, intake, and conflict checks; collaborate with staff and experts.
• Assist with calendaring, deadlines, filings, and service of documents; maintain case files.

Skills

Legal Research

Legal Writing

Oral Advocacy

Client Communication

Organization

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar License

Job description

We are a boutique, California-based Plaintiff civil litigation law firm in San Francisco focusing on construction defect, real estate and high value litigation cases, primarily representing homeowners, HOAs, property owners and business owners. We are seeking an Associate Attorney with 0–5 years of experience to join our dynamic, growing team. This is a hybrid role. The position is well-suited for a highly motivated, early-career attorney who wants hands-on responsibility, client exposure, and the opportunity to grow alongside a fast-moving, entrepreneurial, collaborative team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Under the direction and supervision of the Firm's partners and senior attorneys, the Associate Attorney will perform duties customarily expected of an associate attorney practicing construction defect law, including but not limited to the following:

1. Legal Research & Writing

• Conduct legal research and analysis on assigned matters
• Draft pleadings, discovery, motions, memoranda, and correspondence
• Summarize statutes, regulations, case law, and discovery materials
• Assist in handling matters through all phases of litigation, including pre-litigation, discovery, law and motion, mediation, arbitration, settlement, trial, and post-resolution tasks

2. Case Handling & Litigation Support

• Prepare assigned matters for mediations, inspections, hearings, depositions, and court appearances
• Handle all aspects of discovery requests
• Review, organize, and analyze documents and records
• Attend, take and defend depositions, hearings, and proceedings (in person or remotely, as required)
• Maintain organized electronic case files and comply with firm procedures

3. Client & Relationship Support

• Participate in client communications, meetings, and status updates
• Assist with client intake, preliminary case evaluation, and conflict checks
• Work collaboratively with support staff, experts, consultants, and vendors
• Represent clients professionally and ethically at all times

4. Case Management & Administrative Collaboration

• Assist with calendaring, deadlines, filings, and service of documents
• Follow established systems and workflows to ensure timely filings and client communications
• Participate in internal meetings, training, and professional development

5. Professionalism, Ethics & Firm Culture

• Practice law in compliance with all applicable laws, court rules, and the California Rules of Professional Conduct
• Maintain client confidentiality and professional discretion
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with clients, colleagues, staff, and third parties
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, team-oriented work environment

6. Intangibles

• Positive, enthusiastic, collaborative problem-solving skills
• Entrepreneurial, risk-tolerant, driven and ambitious disposition
• Fearless advocacy
• Team oriented, driven and problem-solving attitude and disposition
• Strong sense of humor and passionate desire to achieve results are a must

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing (required)
• 0 to 5 years of legal experience (construction defect experience preferred, but not required)
• Strong legal research, writing, communication and organizational skills
• Client and results driven attitude and demeanor
• Strong public speaking and oral advocacy skills
• Willingness to learn, take initiative, and accept feedback