Complex Commercial Litigation Associate

gpac; Oakland (CA); Remote; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Search seeks a Complex Commercial Litigation Associate (4+ years) in California. Position offers Manhattan Beach/DTLA offices or fully remote within CA. The team handles state and federal matters across tech, entertainment, retail, and energy sectors, with hands-on responsibility from day one.

Ideal candidate has 4+ years of complex litigation, CA Bar, top-50 law school, and Big Law training. Remote work is supported, with mentorship and growth in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of complex commercial litigation experience
• J.D. from a top-50 law school; Big Law training strongly preferred
• Active California Bar membership
• Discovery and deposition experience, willing to do whatever the case needs
• Responsive, collaborative, and easy to work with; no micromanagement
• Prop 65 or entertainment litigation experience is a plus

Responsibilities

• Handle a varied docket of complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts across California
• Work spans intellectual property, trade secrets, Proposition 65, Superfund, and general business disputes
• Arbitrations, motion practice, and occasional trials with hands-on responsibility from day one
• Lean staffing and direct contact with clients and in-house legal teams

Skills

Complex commercial litigation

Discovery & depositions

Client communication

Team collaboration

Prop 65/Entertainment experience

Education

J.D. from top-50 law school

Job description

Confidential Search: Complex Commercial Litigation Associate (4+ Years)

Manhattan Beach or Downtown Los Angeles Office, or Fully Remote within California

A respected litigation boutique is adding an associate to its complex commercial litigation team. The firm was founded more than 20 years ago by attorneys who trained together in Big Law. The group represents sophisticated clients in some of California's most competitive and regulated industries, including technology, entertainment and talent representation, online retail, consumer products, sports, health care, and energy.

The Role

• Handle a varied docket of complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts across California, including the Ninth Circuit
• Work spans intellectual property (copyright and trademark), trade secrets, Proposition 65, Superfund, and general business disputes
• Entertainment matters are currently about 10 to 25% of the work, and that share is growing
• Arbitrations, motion practice, and occasional trials, with real hands-on responsibility from day one
• Lean staffing and direct contact with clients and in-house legal teams

What They're Looking For

• 4+ years of complex commercial litigation experience preferred
• J.D. from a top-50 law school; Big Law (AmLaw) training strongly preferred
• Active California Bar membership
• Discovery and deposition experience, and a willingness to do whatever the case needs. No "that's not my job" attitude
• Responsive, collaborative, and easy to work with. The team doesn't micromanage, but it wants people who stay in touch
• Prop 65 or entertainment litigation experience is a plus

Why This Opportunity

• Work from the Manhattan Beach or downtown LA office, or fully remote
• Mentorship from a partner who has worked remotely for over 10 years and enjoys developing associates
• Real work-life balance: no late-night email culture, and weekend work is rare
• A collegial, low-turnover firm where people stay for the long term
• An individualized partnership track that rewards initiative and business development, including firm-funded client events
• High-profile clients across tech, entertainment, retail, and sports

Compensation

• Base salary of about $175,000 to $225,000, depending on experience; base may be negotiable for the right candidate
• Meeting the 1,800 billable hour requirement makes you eligible for the year-end discretionary bonus (the average is about $10,000 to $25,000)
• Medical, dental, and vision (HMO fully paid), plus a 401(k)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.