Associate Attorney (Public Entity)

Direct Counsel; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Courtroom experience

Bonuses

Long-term growth

Job summary

Direct Counsel represents an established California law firm seeking a Civil Litigation Associate Attorney with at least two years of experience to join its growing practice.

The ideal candidate should have a strong litigation foundation, excellent writing skills, and an interest in developing their practice within a collaborative, well-established firm. This role offers substantive litigation work, courtroom exposure, and mentorship from Senior Associates and Partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of civil litigation experience.
• Active California Bar membership required.
• Experience in personal injury or public entity defense preferred but not required.
• Strong writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines; excellent communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Handle civil litigation matters involving personal injury and public entity defense.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery responses, and other litigation documents.
• Manage written discovery, document production, and deposition preparation.
• Conduct legal research and assist in developing case strategies.
• Attend court hearings, depositions, mediations, and other proceedings.
• Assist with trial preparation, including witness preparation and exhibits.
• Work closely with Senior Associates and Partners on case management and litigation strategy.
• Maintain regular communication with clients and internal legal teams.

Skills

Civil litigation

Legal writing

Legal research

Time management

Communication

Education

California Bar Admission

Job description

Direct Counsel is representing an established California law firm seeking a Civil Litigation Associate Attorney with at least two years of experience to join its growing practice.

The firm represents local public entities in personal injury and complex civil litigation matters. This position offers the opportunity to handle substantive litigation work, gain valuable courtroom experience, and work directly with experienced Senior Associates and Partners.

The ideal candidate has a strong litigation foundation, excellent writing skills, and an interest in developing their practice within a collaborative, well-established firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle civil litigation matters involving personal injury and public entity defense.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery responses, and other litigation documents.
• Manage written discovery, document production, and deposition preparation.
• Conduct legal research and assist in developing case strategies.
• Attend court hearings, depositions, mediations, and other proceedings.
• Assist with trial preparation, including witness preparation, exhibits, and trial materials.
• Work closely with Senior Associates and Partners on case management and litigation strategy.
• Maintain regular communication with clients and internal legal teams.

Qualifications

• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Minimum of 4 years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience in personal injury litigation or public entity defense preferred, but not required.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience drafting motions, handling discovery, and preparing cases for litigation.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines effectively.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to practice.
• Base Salary: $160,000-$200,000, depending on experience.
• Billable Hours: 160 hours per month (1,920 annually).
• Bonus Opportunities: Performance-based bonuses for exceeding billable expectations.
• Direct mentorship and training from experienced litigators.
• Opportunities for courtroom experience and increased case responsibility.
• Long-term professional growth within an established practice.