Associate Attorney, Litigation

DAC Beachcroft; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

DAC Beachcroft in Los Angeles is hiring an Associate Attorney to join our growing US practice. This litigation role offers significant client exposure and responsibility from day one, working directly with senior partners as they build the firm's West Coast practice.

We seek a California-qualified associate with 4–6 years of post-admission litigation experience across insurance coverage and defense, with exposure to bad faith and general commercial litigation, ready for a varied caseload.

Qualifications

• California Bar admission (CA).
• 4-6 years of post-admission litigation experience at a US law firm.
• Strong pre-litigation and litigation foundation, including drafting, research, discovery, motion practice, and depositions.
• Ability to analyze complex factual scenarios and apply legal principles to reach commercially sound outcomes.
• Confident, professional client-facing communication.
• Composure and clear judgment under pressure, particularly for clients in crisis.
• Strong academic record.
• Collaborative, team-oriented working style.

Responsibilities

• Supporting partners on insurance and commercial litigation matters across the full spectrum of coverage and defense work.
• Drafting and reviewing pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, correspondence, and litigation reports.
• Conducting depositions and attending court proceedings.
• Handling motion practice and supporting case strategy.
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda on coverage, bad faith, and general litigation issues.
• Working directly with clients on case updates, strategy, and reporting in line with client quality and service standards.
• Managing your portion of the caseload in an organized and proactive manner.
• Building an understanding of the client's business and the firm's broader service offering.

Skills

Litigation experience

Client-facing communication

Team collaboration

Analytical reasoning

Education

California Bar admission

Job description

Compensation: $170,000 - $200,000 / year

Department: Global - USA

Location: Los Angeles

Compensation: $170,000 - $200,000 / year

As part of DAC Beachcroft's continued growth in the US, we are hiring an Associate Attorney to join our Los Angeles office. This is a litigation role offering significant client exposure and responsibility from the outset, working directly with senior partners as they build the firm's West Coast practice.

We are looking for a 4-6 year California-qualified associate with strong litigation experience, ready to take on a varied caseload spanning insurance coverage and defense work, with exposure to bad faith defense and general commercial litigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting partners and colleagues on insurance and commercial litigation matters across the full spectrum of coverage and defense work
• Drafting and reviewing pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, correspondence, and litigation reports
• Conducting depositions and attending court proceedings
• Handling motion practice and supporting case strategy
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda on coverage, bad faith, and general litigation issues
• Working directly with clients on case updates, strategy, and reporting in line with client quality and service standards
• Managing your portion of the caseload in an organized and proactive manner
• Building an understanding of the client's business and the firm's broader service offering

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

• Admitted to the California Bar
• 4-6 years of post-admission litigation experience at a US law firm
• Strong pre-litigation and litigation foundation, including drafting, research, discovery, motion practice, and depositions
• Ability to analyze complex factual scenarios and apply legal principles to reach commercially sound outcomes
• Confident, professional client-facing communication
• Composure and clear judgment under pressure, particularly for clients in crisis
• Strong academic record
• A collaborative, team-oriented working style with a willingness to share knowledge and support colleagues

Preferred

• Insurance coverage or insurance defense experience
• Experience at a sophisticated civil litigation firm
• Exposure to London market or international insurer work
• Trial experience

We are happy to talk flexible working with our Flex Forward scheme. We would encourage you to talk to us about our approach to flexible working during the hiring process if you would like to explore this further.

Note for Recruitment Agencies

DAC Beachcroft manages all vacancies via our in-house recruitment teams, prioritising direct sourcing and referrals. When external support is required, roles are released to selected agencies on our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Speculative CVs sent to any DAC Beachcroft employee without prior instruction from our recruitment teams (LLP and CSG) will not be accepted, and no fees will be payable. For PSL queries, please contact: [e-mail] or [e-mail]