Construction (Litigation) Associate - Remote (California) at Clark Hill Law

Clark Hill Law (Clark Hill PLC); San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Remote within CA

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Clark Hill Law, a prominent AmLaw 200 firm, is hiring a Construction (Litigation) Associate for its Construction Business Unit in Southern California. This mid-senior role is remote-friendly within California and offers a salary range of $160,000 to $175,000 per year, plus discretionary bonus and extensive benefits.

The ideal candidate will be licensed in California with 3–5 years of litigation experience, strong academic credentials, and the ability to manage files from pleadings through

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of litigation experience with trial preparation and deposition experience.
• Licensed to practice law in California; strong academic record from an ABA-accredited law school.
• File responsibility from pleadings through discovery and trial; effective advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with construction litigation is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage files and case strategy from pleadings to trial.
• Lead discovery, motions, and deposition handling.
• Prepare persuasive briefs and participate in negotiations and trials.
• Communicate effectively with clients and opposing counsel; collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Litigation experience

Trial preparation

Deposition experience

Research and writing

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

J.D. (ABA-accredited law school)

California bar admission

Tools

Job description

This opportunity was posted more than 30 days ago and no application deadline was provided. You can explore active listings below.

jobs Verified: 11 Aug 2026 San Diego, CA / Remote within California

Construction (Litigation) Associate - Remote (California) at Clark Hill Law

C

Organising Institution / Firm

Clark Hill Law (Clark Hill PLC)

Not Specified by Organiser

San Diego, CA / Remote within California

Not Specified

Attorney with 3-5 years of litigation experience; licensed to practice law in California; strong academic record from an ABA-accredited law school; trial preparation and courtroom experience including file responsibility, motion practice, and deposition experience; strong advocacy, research, writing, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills; willingness to learn new areas of law; familiarity with construction litigation is preferred but not required.

Job

Full Opportunity Brief

Clark Hill Law, an AmLaw 200 firm with more than 700 attorneys and 30 offices across the United States, Ireland, and Mexico, is hiring a Construction (Litigation) Associate for its Construction Business Unit in Southern California. This is a full-time, mid-senior level position offering a compelling salary range of $160,000 to $175,000 annually, plus an annual discretionary bonus and an extensive benefits package. The role is remote-friendly but requires the candidate to be licensed in and local to California. With the posting appearing just two days ago and only 25 applicants being considered first, this is a timely opportunity for litigation attorneys looking to pivot into a high-value construction practice.

"Clark Hill PLC is seeking an attorney with 3-5 years of litigation experience for its Construction Business Unit in Southern California."

Why Construction Litigation Is a Niche Worth Watching

Construction law is not merely about contracts and building codes; it is a multidisciplinary field that blends real estate, insurance, torts, and administrative law. California's booming infrastructure, housing development, and commercial construction projects generate a continuous stream of complex disputes—ranging from construction defects and delay claims to insurance coverage battles and public works litigation. For a litigator, this means every case brings unique factual scenarios, technical experts, and high-stakes financial exposure. By entering this niche, an associate can develop a distinctive skill set that is highly marketable for partnership tracks and later moves to boutique construction firms or in-house positions with developers and contractors. The remote nature of this role also signals a forward-thinking approach at Clark Hill, allowing attorneys to serve clients across California without being tied to a single office.

Inside the Role: What Clark Hill Expects from You

This is not an entry-level position. The firm wants an attorney who has already cut their teeth in litigation and can handle significant file responsibility from day one. The posting explicitly asks for:

• 3-5 years of litigation experience, with trial preparation and courtroom experience.
• File responsibility, meaning the ability to manage cases independently, from pleadings through discovery and trial.
• Motion practice and deposition experience to take and defend depositions, argue motions, and interact with opposing counsel effectively.
• Strong advocacy, research, writing, and negotiation skills—essential for crafting persuasive briefs, mediating settlements, and representing clients in court.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, since construction disputes involve multiple stakeholders: owners, contractors, subcontractors, insurers, and government entities.
• A willingness to learn new areas of law, because construction litigation often intersects with insurance coverage, AIA contracts, lien laws, and environmental regulations.

While familiarity with construction litigation is preferred, it is not mandatory. This is a significant advantage for a general litigator seeking to specialise. The firm values a strong academic record from an ABA-accredited law school and current California licensure. If you have a background in commercial litigation, insurance defense, or even personal injury defense, you can reframe your experience to highlight transferable skills such as managing discovery, taking depositions, and preparing cases for trial.

The Remote California Advantage: Flexibility Without Sacrificing Impact

In an era where many law firms are mandating return-to-office policies, Clark Hill's willingness to offer a remote role in California is refreshing. The posting says location is flexible, but all candidates must be licensed in and local to California. This means you can live in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, or even a smaller community, and still serve the firm's statewide clientele. Remote work in litigation is particularly attractive because it allows for deeper focus during document review, legal research, and brief writing. However, it also demands self-discipline and proactive communication. Successful remote associates typically use technology to remain visible: scheduling