Attorney | Business Litigation | Hybrid | 148964

Gilder Search Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement

Pet insurance

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is recruiting attorneys for a confidential California litigation firm seeking candidates with 3+ years of California civil litigation experience. This role emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and hands-on courtroom experience from early in your career.

Associates work closely with seasoned trial lawyers, with meaningful responsibility and opportunities to advance to first-chair trial roles.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of California civil litigation experience.
• Civil litigation experience required.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Experience with discovery, motion practice, and depositions.

Responsibilities

• Mentorship and development-focused culture with access to first-chair opportunities.
• Hands-on experience taking depositions, appearing in court, and mediations.
• Early responsibility and a clear path to lead trial advocacy.

Skills

California civil litigation

Legal writing

Discovery & depositions

Court appearance / trial prep

Job description

A confidential California litigation firm is seeking attorneys with 3+ years of California civil litigation experience who want more than another litigation position. This is an opportunity to join a true trial practice where mentorship, professional development, and courtroom experience are central to the firm's culture.

Associates work closely with experienced trial attorneys, receive meaningful responsibility early in their careers, and are intentionally developed into confident first-chair trial lawyers—not simply litigators.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

• This is more than a litigation position—it's an opportunity to build a long-term trial career.
• Unlike many firms where associates spend years primarily drafting motions, this firm is committed to developing courtroom advocates. Associates work alongside experienced trial attorneys, receive meaningful responsibility early in their careers, and gain hands-on experience taking depositions, appearing in court, participating in mediations, assisting with trial strategy, and second-chairing trials.
• Professional development isn't left to chance. Partners are deeply invested in mentoring associates, providing practical guidance and regular opportunities to build the skills and confidence needed to become first-chair trial attorneys.
• Just as notable is the firm's culture. Attorneys collaborate rather than compete, creating an environment where mentorship and teamwork are part of everyday practice. That culture has resulted in exceptionally low turnover, making openings like this genuinely rare. This is the first associate opportunity in roughly two years—a reflection of the firm's ability to retain talented attorneys over the long term.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of California civil litigation experience
• Civil litigation experience required
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Experience with discovery, motion practice, and depositions

Compensation & Benefits

• $160,000–$190,000 plus multiple bonus opportunities
• Medical, dental, vision coverage, and retirement
• Pet insurance
• Unlimited PTO

Why Attorneys Stay

• Rare opportunity with a team that has exceptionally low turnover
• First associate opening in approximately two years
• Partners who are committed to mentoring and developing future trial attorneys
• Meaningful courtroom experience from the outset
• Clear progression toward greater trial responsibility and first-chair opportunities

Salary Range: $160,000–$190,000

Reference: 148964

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