Commercial Litigation Associate - San Diego, CA

plug-legal; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 285,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with profit-sharing

Generous paid time off

Parental leave

Support for ongoing professional development

Job summary

Plug-legal is seeking a mid-level litigation associate in San Diego, California, for a leading position in sophisticated commercial disputes. Ideal candidates are 3rd or 4th-year associates with strong skills in drafting high-quality briefs and handling complex litigation.

The role offers autonomy, direct client contact, and a collaborative culture. Compensation includes a competitive salary range of $250,000 to $285,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 3rd or 4th-year litigation associate with a strong legal foundation.
• Proven track record of drafting high-quality briefs.
• Experience in business and commercial litigation or adjacent high-stakes practices.

Responsibilities

• Take and defend depositions and argue motions in court.
• Prepare matters for trial and arbitration.
• Manage cases with genuine autonomy under partner mentorship.

Skills

Litigation skills

Drafting briefs

Client relationship management

Deposition handling

Complex written discovery

Education

Exceptional academic credentials

Active admission to the State Bar of California

Job description

Commercial Litigation · 3–4 Years · California Bar Required

If you are a mid-level litigation associate at a massive national firm, you already know the bottleneck: you are three years in, highly capable, yet still buried under document review while partners handle the oral arguments and strategy. This role, positioned within a premier, California-founded business law firm, is designed for the associate who is ready to step out of the back room and into a lead execution role on sophisticated commercial disputes.

The Work

You will join a highly regarded, Chambers-ranked litigation team handling complex business disputes, real estate litigation, and high-stakes commercial matters. Because of the firm's lean staffing model, you will not just be drafting pleadings and managing discovery; you will be expected to take and defend depositions, argue motions in court, and actively prepare matters for trial and arbitration. The firm's entrepreneurial platform means you will have direct client contact early, managing cases with genuine autonomy under the mentorship of partners who actively transition relationships to the next generation.

Who This Is For

This role is built for a 3rd or 4th-year litigation associate who has developed a strong foundational skill set in a sophisticated commercial practice. You should have a proven track record of drafting high-quality briefs and handling complex written discovery. While the core focus is business and commercial litigation, the firm welcomes candidates with strong, transferable skills from adjacent high-stakes practices (such as real estate or construction litigation) who want to pivot into a broader commercial desk. Exceptional academic credentials and active admission to the State Bar of California are required.

The Platform

The firm strikes a rare balance in the California market: it commands the prestige and sophisticated deal flow of a top-tier regional powerhouse, but maintains a genuinely collaborative, transparent culture. They are known for long associate tenure because they actively invest in professional development rather than treating associates as fungible billable hours. The partnership track is clear, realistic, and merit-based.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $250,000 to $285,000, dependent on relevant experience and qualifications. The firm offers a comprehensive, market-leading benefits package including premium medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with profit‑sharing components; generous paid time off; parental leave; and dedicated financial support for ongoing professional development and bar associations.

Apply in Confidence

If you are interested in exploring this platform without risking your current standing, let's have a preliminary conversation. Your identity and CV will remain completely confidential and will never be shared with this or any other firm without your explicit, advance permission.