Communications Associate - Junior to Midlevel - San Francisco or Los Angeles

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks a junior to midlevel associate to join its Communications Practice in San Francisco or Los Angeles. You will handle sophisticated telecommunications, broadband, wireless, and technology matters before regulators and courts, with opportunities in policy, litigation, and compliance involving AI and consumer protection.

The role offers direct client exposure, strong mentorship, and a collaborative, nationally recognized platform.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice in California.
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience at a law firm.
• Experience with the CPUC, FCC, NTIA, or other regulatory agencies preferred.
• Experience in telecommunications, administrative law, technology policy, AI governance, broadband, media, or consumer protection.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative environment.
• Commitment to client service and professional excellence.

Responsibilities

• Represent telecommunications, broadband, wireless, cable, and technology clients before the CPUC, FCC, and other state and federal agencies
• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, agency filings, comments, briefs, and other regulatory and litigation-related documents
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance, telecommunications policy, consumer protection, and emerging technology issues
• Support enforcement proceedings and transactional matters involving communications and technology clients
• Monitor and analyze developments in telecommunications, AI governance, broadband deployment, privacy, and technology policy
• Participate in client counseling, strategy discussions, and agency advocacy efforts
• Collaborate with attorneys across offices and practice groups on multidisciplinary client matters
• Contribute to client development initiatives and thought leadership opportunities within the communications and technology sectors

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Client service

Collaboration

Multitasking

Professionalism

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California bar admission

Job description

Communications Associate - Junior to Midlevel - San Francisco or Los Angeles

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks a junior to midlevel associate to join its nationally recognized Communications practice in San Francisco or Los Angeles. The associate will work on sophisticated telecommunications, broadband, wireless, and technology matters before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and related state and federal agencies and courts. This role offers the opportunity to advise innovative clients on cutting-edge regulatory, policy, litigation, and compliance matters involving communications technologies, emerging platforms, artificial intelligence, and consumer protection issues.

DWT's Communications Practice has been recognized as "Law Firm of the Year" in Communications Law by Best Lawyers and U.S. News and is widely known for representing leading telecommunications providers, technology companies, entrepreneurs, and industry innovators nationwide.

Responsibilities

• Represent telecommunications, broadband, wireless, cable, and technology clients before the CPUC, FCC, and other state and federal agencies
• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda, agency filings, comments, briefs, and other regulatory and litigation-related documents
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance, telecommunications policy, consumer protection, and emerging technology issues
• Support enforcement proceedings and transactional matters involving communications and technology clients
• Monitor and analyze developments in telecommunications, AI governance, broadband deployment, privacy, and technology policy
• Participate in client counseling, strategy discussions, and agency advocacy efforts
• Collaborate with attorneys across offices and practice groups on multidisciplinary client matters
• Contribute to client development initiatives and thought leadership opportunities within the communications and technology sectors

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school
• Admission to practice in California
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience at a law firm
• Prior experience with the CPUC, FCC, NTIA, or another state or federal regulatory agency is strongly preferred
• Experience or demonstrated interest in telecommunications, administrative law, technology policy, AI governance, broadband, media, or consumer protection matters
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Excellent academic credentials
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a collaborative environment
• Commitment to client service and professional excellence

Why DWT

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge communications and technology matters shaping the future of the industry
• Direct client exposure and meaningful substantive responsibility
• Strong mentorship and hands-on professional development
• Collaborative and collegial team environment
• Nationally recognized communications and technology platform
• Opportunities to work closely with attorneys experienced in telecommunications regulation, AI governance, policy development, and emerging technologies
• Inclusive culture that values innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The annualized salary range for this position is $225,000 to $330,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on the candidate’s education, training, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP seeks to hire, develop and grow lawyers and business professionals who combine deep legal expertise, technological fluency, business acumen, and emotional intelligence - creating an excellent, inclusive, adaptive workforce that fuels exceptional client outcomes.

At Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, every employee has the right to work in an environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy to hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, religious creed, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military condition, military or veteran status or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state, or federal laws.

Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons. If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [e-mail].

Core Benefits

• Full-time employees may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance (with an optional Health Savings Account), dental insurance, vision care, life insurance, and disability.

Paid Time Off (PTO): Full-time employees receive sick leave benefits in accordance with the appropriate state Sick & Safe Leave Policy. Attorneys generally take approximately three weeks of vacation annually, though the exact amount may vary depending on client and firm needs. The firm also provides 11 paid holidays each year.

Additional Programs

• Employees may participate in 401(k) retirement planning, Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Available voluntary benefits include accident, life, disability, long-term care, and pet insurance. Commuter and transit programs are also available. Full-time employees may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.