Defense Attorney (1 - 3 yr)

Career Consulting Partners; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Health/dental/vision coverage

HSA

Cell reimbursement

CLE allowance

Job summary

Career Consulting Partners is partnering with a premier civil litigation defense firm in the Southwest to recruit a Defense Attorney with 1–3 years of experience. This role offers hands-on litigation exposure, including appearances in court, depositions, and trial preparation, with mentorship from seasoned partners.

The position emphasizes immediate responsibility, a collaborative team environment, and opportunities across General/Professional Liability, Employment, Real Estate, and construction

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of legal practice (litigation experience preferred)
• Active license in good standing with the California State Bar
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Eagerness to step into the courtroom and build career litigator skills

Responsibilities

• Handle court appearances, attend mediations, and assist with case management.
• Draft pleadings, discovery demands/responses, and substantive motions (summary judgment, demurrer).
• Learn the deposition process by taking and defending witness depositions with partner coaching.
• Assist in trial preparation, including exhibit lists, witness prep, and second-chairing trials.
• Communicate directly with clients, experts, and opposing counsel.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Education

J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school

Job description

Defense Attorney (1 - 3 yr)

Career Consulting Partners is partnered with one of the Southwest's premier civil litigation defense firms. We are looking for motivated 1–3-year attorneys seeking immediate hands-on litigation experience. If you are stuck doing document review or research briefs at a large firm and want to start appearing in court, taking depositions, and learning how to actually try cases, this opportunity offers the ideal launchpad. We provide a structured mentorship framework paired with real responsibility from day one. Some of those matters include General/Professional Liability, Employment, Real Estate, and construction litigation.

Responsibilities:

• Handle court appearances, attend mediations, and assist with case management.

• Draft pleadings, discovery demands/responses, and substantive motions (summary judgment, demurrer).

• Learn the deposition process by taking and defending witness depositions with partner coaching.

• Assist in trial preparation, including exhibit lists, witness prep, and second-chairing trials.

• Communicate directly with clients, experts, and opposing counsel.

Requirements:

• 1–3 years of legal practice (litigation experience preferred; strong judicial clerkship or mock trial background considered).

• Active license in good standing with the California State Bar.

• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.

• Eagerness to step into the courtroom and build career litigator skills.

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation range: $120,000 - $170,000

• Plus Billable hour bonuses, referral bonuses, and year-end discretionary bonuses.

• 401(k) matching, HSA, cell reimbursement, state bar dues, CLE allowance, and full health/dental/vision coverage.

• Get deposition and courtroom reps years ahead of your peers at traditional big law firms.

• Hybrid schedule options, realistic billable expectations, and discretionary bonus structures.

Location:

• Pasadena, CA

• True hybrid flexibility (1–2 days in office or fully remote options depending on location/experience).

Please note that we at Career Consulting Partners will be sure to keep your information private. We will not submit you or your information to any firm without your consent. Once we have received your resume/application, we will reach out to you and review the firm(s) before we move forward.