Civil Rights Attorney

Jobot; Fullerton (CA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/remote flexibility

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan with company match

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Jones Mayer, a premier California public sector law firm, seeks a highly experienced Civil Rights Litigation Attorney to lead high-exposure matters. The role emphasizes first-chair trial experience, handling Section 1983 civil rights litigation, and defending public entities and officers with independence.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of litigation experience, strong trial skills, and deep knowledge of constitutional law, Monell liability, and immunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of litigation experience, with significant Section 1983 civil rights litigation experience.
• First-chair trial experience (minimum 5 trials) on Section 1983 matters.
• Experience defending public entities, municipalities, or government clients in civil rights matters.
• Strong knowledge of constitutional law, civil rights defenses, Monell liability, and qualified immunity.

Responsibilities

• Manage civil rights litigation from inception through resolution, including discovery, depositions, motions, and trial prep.
• Defend public entities and officers in Section 1983 and related matters.
• Develop case strategy, evaluate liability, and advise clients on litigation risk and resolution options.
• Prepare and argue motions (dispositive, summary judgment, qualified immunity, discovery, in limine).
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and experts.
• Lead trial preparation, including witness and exhibit prep, jury instructions, and trial briefs.
• Serve as first chair in civil rights and related civil litigation trials.
• Maintain client communication on case status and strategy.

Skills

Civil rights litigation

First-chair trial

Section 1983

Public entities

Constitutional law

Trial advocacy

Legal research

Writing skills

Education

Juris Doctor degree

CA Bar admission

Job description

Civil Rights Litigation Attorney (Hybrid)

This Jobot Job is hosted by: MJ Gillette

Salary: $200,000 - $250,000 per year

A bit about us:

Jones Mayer is a premier California public sector law firm serving cities, counties, law enforcement agencies, public entities, and governmental clients throughout the state. The firm is highly regarded for its work in municipal law, police litigation, civil rights defense, government tort liability, code enforcement, and complex public sector litigation.

With a strong reputation in high-stakes civil rights and law enforcement litigation, the firm regularly represents public agencies and officers in matters involving constitutional claims, Section 1983 litigation, excessive force allegations, unlawful arrest claims, Monell liability, qualified immunity, and related civil rights defense matters.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced civil rights litigation attorney who is confident handling sophisticated, high-exposure cases and serving as a trusted litigation advisor to public entity and law enforcement clients.

Why join us?

• Competitive compensation package


• Hybrid/remote flexibility


• Reasonable 1,800-hour billable requirement


• Sophisticated civil rights and public entity litigation


• Opportunity to first-chair trials and lead high-exposure matters


• Strong litigation and trial platform


• Collaborative team environment


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• Life insurance


• Flexible spending account


• Retirement plan with company match

Job Details

We are seeking a Civil Rights Litigation Attorney with 10+ years of litigation experience, including significant experience handling Section 1983 civil rights litigation. This role requires strong first-chair trial experience and the ability to manage complex civil rights and public entity defense matters with a high degree of independence.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience defending public entities, law enforcement agencies, officers, municipalities, or governmental clients in civil rights matters involving constitutional claims, excessive force, wrongful arrest, unlawful search and seizure, due process, qualified immunity, Monell liability, and related federal and state law claims.

Responsibilities

• Manage civil rights litigation matters from inception through resolution, including case evaluation, discovery, depositions, motion practice, expert work, mediation, trial preparation, trial, and post-trial motions.


• Defend public entities, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and individual officers in Section 1983 and related civil rights matters.


• Develop case strategy, evaluate liability and exposure, and advise clients regarding litigation risks, defenses, and resolution options.


• Prepare and argue motions, including dispositive motions, motions for summary judgment, motions involving qualified immunity, discovery motions, motions in limine, and post-trial motions.


• Take and defend depositions of parties, percipient witnesses, law enforcement personnel, experts, and other key witnesses.


• Lead trial preparation, including witness preparation, exhibit preparation, expert coordination, jury instructions, verdict forms, and trial briefs.


• Serve as first chair in civil rights, public entity, law enforcement, or related civil litigation trials.


• Represent clients in court appearances, mediations, settlement conferences, hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trials.


• Maintain regular communication with clients regarding case status, litigation strategy, risk assessment, and significant developments.


• Work collaboratively with attorneys, clients, experts, and support staff while also managing matters independently.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of litigation experience, with significant experience handling Section 1983 civil rights litigation.


• First-chair trial experience on Section 1983 matters required, with a minimum of 5 trials.


• Experience defending public entities, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, officers, or government clients strongly preferred.


• Strong knowledge of constitutional law, civil rights defense, Monell liability, qualified immunity, government tort liability, and related defenses.


• Excellent legal research and writing skills.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.


• Strong deposition, motion practice, trial preparation, and courtroom advocacy experience.


• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.


• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.


• Admission to the State Bar of California required.

Compensation and Schedule

• Base Salary: $200,000–$250,000 annually


• Billable Requirement: 1,800 hours per year


• Schedule: Full-time, hybrid role


• Remote Flexibility: May work remotely except for client meetings, depositions, court appearances, team meetings, trial preparation, and other in-person business needs.


• Location Requirement: Must live within reasonable commuting distance of the firm’s Orange County location.

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