Commercial Litigation (Trial) Associate (2-4 yrs.) - Seattle

Permanent Placements LLC; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) and profit sharing retirement

Flexible paid time off

10 paid holidays

Employee assistance and mental health

Pre-tax commuter and transit programs

Job summary

Permanent Placements LLC, a Seattle-based litigation boutique, seeks a Litigation Associate with 2–4 years of experience to join its Commercial Litigation and Trial practice. The role offers substantial responsibility, including depositions, motion practice, and trial exposure, with relocation considered for Washington admission and Seattle residency.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional academic credentials, outstanding writing skills, and experience handling sophisticated litigation,

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school required.
• 2–4 years of substantive litigation experience in Commercial, Business, or Financial Litigation preferred.
• Excellent academic credentials, cum laude or higher preferred.
• Admission to Washington State Bar or eligibility by reciprocity required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of complex civil litigation, from pleadings through trial and appeal.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Conduct sophisticated factual and legal research.
• Manage written discovery and large document productions.
• Prepare for, take, and defend depositions.
• Handle written and oral motion practice.
• Assist with pretrial proceedings and trials.
• Support appellate matters with research and briefing.
• Manage electronic discovery and large-scale reviews.
• Develop creative litigation strategies balancing legal risk with client objectives.
• Work with partners, clients, paralegals, and litigation team.

Skills

Litigation experience

Washington Bar admission/eligibility

Academic excellence

Written advocacy

Trial exposure

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Our client is a prestigious Seattle-based litigation boutique seeking a Litigation Associate with 2–4 years of experience to join its Commercial Litigation and Trial practice.

The firm handles sophisticated, high-value disputes, with a particular emphasis on complex commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, business divorces, and other significant business matters. The practice offers unusually strong opportunities for younger associates to gain substantive responsibility, including depositions, motion practice, courtroom experience, and trial exposure.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional academic credentials, outstanding writing skills, and experience handling sophisticated litigation. Candidates currently practicing outside Seattle who are interested in relocating will also be considered, provided they are able to obtain Washington admission and reside in the Seattle area upon joining.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of complex civil litigation, from initial pleadings through trial and appeal.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other substantive litigation documents.
• Conduct sophisticated factual and legal research.
• Manage written discovery and substantial document productions.
• Prepare for, take, and defend depositions.
• Handle written and oral motion practice.
• Assist with and participate in pretrial proceedings and trials.
• Support appellate matters, including legal research and briefing.
• Manage electronic discovery and large-scale document reviews and productions.
• Develop creative litigation strategies that balance legal risk with clients' broader business objectives.
• Work directly with partners, clients, paralegals, and other members of the litigation team.
• Manage multiple complex matters and competing deadlines.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 2–4 years of substantive litigation experience within Commercial, Business, or Financial Litigation.
• Admission to the Washington State Bar or eligibility for admission by reciprocity.
• Candidates relocating from other markets will be considered but must obtain appropriate Washington admission and reside in the Seattle area upon joining.
• Excellent academic credentials, with cum laude or higher academic achievement strongly preferred.
• Large law firm or similarly sophisticated litigation experience strongly preferred.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills.
• Experience with discovery, including electronic discovery and significant document productions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent oral advocacy and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to independently manage significant responsibilities within complex cases.
• Strong professional judgment and the ability to develop practical, creative solutions to challenging legal issues.
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with the ability to work effectively with attorneys and professional staff.
• Highest standards of ethics and professional integrity.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This opportunity combines the sophistication of high-end commercial litigation with the hands-on experience typically associated with a smaller trial-focused practice.

Associates can expect:

• Significant responsibility early in their careers.
• Substantive deposition and motion practice.
• Meaningful courtroom and trial exposure.
• Direct interaction with experienced trial lawyers.
• Complex, high-value commercial and business disputes.
• A collaborative environment focused on developing associates into accomplished litigators.

The practice has a particularly strong trial orientation and is regularly involved in matters requiring sophisticated advocacy and strategic judgment.

Billable Hours

Annual billable requirement: 1,800 hours.

This provides an attractive balance for candidates seeking sophisticated litigation and meaningful trial experience without the higher billable-hour expectations common at many large law firms.

Compensation

Base Salary: $240,000 – $250,000 annually

Attorneys may also be eligible for significant year-end bonuses based on performance.

Actual compensation will depend on experience, education, training, and other relevant factors.

Benefits

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical insurance with optional HSA
• Dental and vision coverage
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) and profit-sharing retirement contributions
• Flexible paid time off
• 10 paid holidays
• Employee assistance and mental health programs
• Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts
• Voluntary life, disability, and accident coverage
• Pre-tax commuter and transit programs

Work Arrangement

Location: Seattle, Washington
Schedule: Hybrid

Candidates should ultimately be based in the Seattle area. The firm is open to considering highly qualified attorneys currently practicing in other major legal markets who are interested in relocating to Seattle.