ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY POLICE PRACTICES / PUBLIC ENTITY DEFENSE

The Bar Association of San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bar Association of San Francisco is seeking a 3–5 year associate for its Police Practices/Public Entity Defense practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. The attorney will represent municipalities and public entities in complex civil litigation in state and federal court, with emphasis on police practices and public entity defense.

Ideal candidates have government experience or judicial clerkship and will handle case evaluation, discovery, depositions, motions, settlements, and trial

Qualifications

• Three to five years of civil litigation experience, preferably in a defense practice, public entity practice, or other complex litigation environment.
• Federal motion-writing experience is required, including dispositive motions such as motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment.
• Federal judicial clerkship or other judicial/court experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in the public sector, either with a government agency or representing public entities in private practice, is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Involved in all stages of litigation, including case evaluation, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement, trial preparation, and trial.
• Work closely with experienced trial lawyers and develop substantial responsibility in cases litigated in both federal and state court.

Skills

Civil litigation

Legal writing

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Team collaboration

Job description

Are you a civil litigator who wants to build on your experience representing public entities, government agencies, or public officials? Or did you begin your career as a judicial law clerk and want to move into complex civil litigation? We are a San Francisco Bay Area boutique litigation firm seeking a 3–5 year associate to join our Police Practices/Public Entity Defense practice. We represent municipalities, public agencies and their employees in complex civil litigation, including civil rights, police practices, personal injury and other high-stakes matters in state and federal court.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked as a government attorney, represented public entities, or completed a judicial clerkship.

Attorneys in the group have the opportunity to work closely with experienced trial lawyers and develop substantial responsibility in cases litigated in both federal and state court. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who wants to build a sophisticated litigation practice in the area of police practices and public entity defense. The successful candidate will be involved in all stages of litigation, including case evaluation, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement, trial preparation, and trial.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of civil litigation experience, preferably in a defense practice, public entity practice, or other complex litigation environment.
• Experience defending law enforcement agencies or personnel is preferred, but not required. Attorneys with strong litigation experience who are interested in developing a police practices practice are encouraged to apply.
• Federal motion-writing experience is required, including experience drafting or contributing to dispositive motions such as motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment.
• Federal judicial clerkship or other judicial/court experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in the public sector, either with a government agency or representing public entities in private practice, is a plus.
• Exceptional analytical skills and the ability to quickly understand complex legal and factual issues and provide clear, practical, and persuasive written and verbal analysis and advice to clients.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with partners, associates, and clients.
• An active license to practice law in California.

What We Offer

We are a collegial and collaborative litigation practice where associates work directly with experienced partners and have meaningful opportunities to develop their litigation and trial skills. The position offers exposure to sophisticated public entity and police practices matters in both federal and state court, with opportunities to take increasing responsibility for cases as experience develops.

The firm operates in a hybrid work environment, with regular work in our San Francisco office expected. This is not a 100% remote position.

Compensation: $165,000–$195,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Exceptional candidates, including those with significant federal court, judicial clerkship, or trial experience, may be considered at a higher level. The firm offers a competitive benefits package.

The firm is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates with diverse personal and professional backgrounds.