Bankruptcy Litigation Associate (Mid to Senior)

Advocates Legal Recruiting; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocates Legal Recruiting is assisting a leading AmLaw 100 firm in Costa Mesa to hire a Bankruptcy Litigation Associate (Mid to Senior). This role focuses on complex restructuring disputes, with a trial-minded platform and deep bench in bankruptcy and high-end commercial litigation.

The candidate will litigate across the lifecycle of distressed matters, from early motions through hearings and trials when needed, collaborating with restructuring lawyers and senior partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of bankruptcy litigation experience (law firm training strongly preferred).
• Meaningful writing experience: motions, briefs, and court-facing work product you would want a partner to sign.
• Comfortable owning pieces of a case and driving them without constant direction.
• Admitted and in good standing (or ability to waive in, depending on office).

Responsibilities

• Run point on core bankruptcy litigation work streams (research, writing, strategy, discovery, hearings).
• Handle contested matters and adversary proceedings (fraudulent transfer, preference, fiduciary duty, contract-based disputes, and more).
• Work closely with restructuring lawyers on multi-party, high-exposure fights involving debtors, creditors, sponsors, bidders, and committees.
• Build a record early with a litigation approach that assumes the case could be tried.

Skills

Bankruptcy litigation

Legal writing

Case management

Education

Bar admission

Job description

Bankruptcy Litigation Associate (Mid to Senior)

Costa Mesa, United States | Posted on 07/22/2026

Bankruptcy Litigation Associate (3+ years)
Complex Commercial Litigation | AmLaw 100
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Costa Mesa, San Francisco,
Menlo Park, and Washington, DC.

A leading AmLaw 100 firm is quietly adding a bankruptcy litigation associate to its Complex Commercial Litigation group. This is a trial-minded platform with real depth in restructuring disputes and the institutional credibility that changes settlement posture when the firm appears on the docket.

Role summary

You will litigate across the lifecycle of financially distressed situations, including contested matters and adversary proceedings tied to Chapter 11 cases and related disputes. The team builds matters to win, from early motion practice through evidentiary hearings and trial when needed.

What you will do

• Run point on core bankruptcy litigation work streams (research, writing, strategy, discovery, hearings)
• Handle contested matters and adversary proceedings (fraudulent transfer, preference, fiduciary duty, contract-based disputes, and more)
• Work closely with restructuring lawyers on multi-party, high-exposure fights involving debtors, creditors, sponsors, bidders, and committees
• Build a record early with a litigation approach that assumes the case could be tried

Candidate profile

• Minimum 3 years of bankruptcy litigation experience (law firm training strongly preferred)
• Meaningful writing experience: motions, briefs, and court-facing work product you would want a partner to sign
• Comfortable owning pieces of a case and driving them without constant direction
• Admitted and in good standing (or ability to waive in, depending on office)

Why this role

• Platform: Chambers-ranked strength in both bankruptcy/restructuring and high-end commercial litigation
• Work: serious disputes tied to distressed deals, contested sales, and post-emergence litigation, not just process work
• Development: a group built around trial readiness, with deep bench experience and structured support resources
• Compensation: top-of-market base with discretionary bonus potential (class-year based)

Locations

Multiple major US offices, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Costa Mesa, San Francisco, Menlo Park, and Washington, DC.