Civil Litigation Attorney

DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell, LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellness stipend

Flexible time off

Hybrid/remote option

Job summary

DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell in San Francisco seeks an Associate with 5+ years of civil litigation experience, including trials, to join a high-impact family law practice.

You will work closely with a founding partner in a hybrid role, with remote options for very experienced candidates and periodic Bay Area travel for trials and firm events. JD from an accredited law school and active CA Bar are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of civil litigation experience, including trial experience.
• JD from an accredited law school.
• Active California Bar license in good standing.
• Authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in high-stakes civil litigation and trials.
• Provide direct client counseling through crises and reinvention points.
• Develop case strategy, assess risk, and drive outcomes across multiple active matters.
• Mentor junior associates and contribute to firm growth and leadership.

Skills

Writing

Analysis

Oral advocacy

Civil procedure

Case strategy

Risk assessment

Emotional intelligence

Calm under pressure

Education

JD from an accredited law school

Active California Bar license

Job description

Are you winning civil cases but questioning the real-world impact of your work? If the practice feels technically rigorous but personally distant, consider applying your litigation skills where the stakes are high and the outcomes directly affect clients’ lives.

Family law at our level is not routine domestic practice. It is complex financial litigation, live strategic problem solving, high-judgment advocacy and direct client counseling through consequential turning points. Our associates are not buried behind paper. They are in the room, in the strategy, and in the outcome.

You might be our next Family Law Associate if:

• You want to trade predictable disputes for high-stakes, deeply human conflict where your strategy and advocacy shape real outcomes and real futures.
• You are drawn to intensity, complexity, and unique personalities, and you are calm, curious, and effective even when sitting right in the middle of the storm.
• You want a front-row seat with clients, not just their paperwork. You want to guide them through crisis, reinvention, and the next chapter of their lives.
• You are competitive, compassionate, and intellectually engaged, and you are ready for work that is challenging, meaningful, and dynamic.

This role reports directly to a founding partner and includes hands-on mentoring and development during a period of focused firm growth.

DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell is a San Francisco boutique family law firm representing high-net-worth clients in complex divorce litigation. We are known for deep litigation skill, strategic advocacy, and high-touch client service.

• A culture that values emotional intelligence alongside legal intelligence
• A very selective, high-fit client base seeking thoughtful, strategic representation
• Real investment in training, mentoring, and professional development
• Operational and technology systems designed to support excellent lawyering
• A path toward leadership and partnership for the right candidate

And here’s what you WON’T find:

• Mechanical or interchangeable work
• A static environment where nothing improves
• Micromanagement
• Leadership that ignores good ideas

At Closer Look at the Role:

We are seeking an Associate with:

• Experience: 5+ years of civil litigation experience, including trial experience.
• Core Skills: Excellent writing, analysis, and oral advocacy. Strong command of civil procedure and case strategy. Able to assess risk, leverage, and case.
• Client Skills: High emotional intelligence, steady presence, and good judgment with clients experiencing stress.
• Areas of Strength: Reliable follow-through, organization, curiosity, and sound decision-making across multiple active cases.
• Mindset: Motivated by meaningful outcomes, not just technical wins. Willing to learn a new field. Energized by challenge and growth.
• Work Locations: Hybrid. Remote possible for very experienced candidates, with periodic Bay Area travel for trials and firm events.

Requirements:

• JD from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar license in good standing
• Authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

What We Provide:

• Salary range of $150,000 to $200,000, with flexibility for more experienced candidates
• Quarterly performance bonuses plus origination bonus on collected revenue from sourced matters
• Health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability coverage
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Generous paid holidays and flexible paid time off
• Flexible schedule after onboarding and training period
• Hybrid role, with remote option for highly experienced candidates working West Coast hours

Next Steps:

If you are ready to bring your litigation skills into a practice that is more personal, more complex, and more consequential, we would like to hear from you. This is a role for an attorney who wants their work to matter every day.