First-Chair Civil Rights Litigator — Police & 1983

Orion Placement; Fullerton (CA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Orionplacement seeks an experienced attorney in Fullerton, CA, to represent public agencies in high-profile civil rights and police litigation matters. The role offers hybrid work and substantial courtroom advocacy, with autonomy and meaningful responsibility in Section 1983 matters.

You will manage discovery, serve as first-chair trial counsel, develop litigation strategy, and coordinate experts. CA bar, 10+ years civil litigation, and police-litigation experience required; senior attorneys

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and California bar in good standing.
• Minimum 10 years of civil litigation experience.
• Extensive police and public-entity representation experience.
• First-chair trial experience in at least 5 Section 1983 trials.
• Exceptional legal research and writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage complex civil rights and police litigation matters.
• Serve as first-chair trial counsel on Section 1983 cases.
• Manage discovery from inception through trial.
• Develop litigation strategy for constitutional and civil rights claims.
• Conduct depositions and witness examinations.
• Prepare and argue motions in state and federal courts.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Advise clients on legal risks and coordinate experts.
• Maintain regular communication with clients on strategy and case developments.

Skills

First-chair trial experience

Civil litigation experience

Legal research & writing

Independent management

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Active California Bar license

Job description

Pay: $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Represent public agencies in sophisticated, high-profile civil rights and police litigation matters.
• Handle complex Section 1983 cases with significant responsibility and autonomy.
• Join a respected litigation team focused exclusively on public entity representation.
• Enjoy hybrid work flexibility while remaining engaged in meaningful courtroom advocacy.
• Receive an annual billable hours bonus in addition to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Work alongside experienced trial attorneys on impactful constitutional and civil rights cases.
• Build a long-term career handling some of California's most challenging public entity litigation.

Location:

Fullerton, CA. Hybrid position offering substantial remote flexibility while remaining local for court appearances, client meetings, trials, and other in-person responsibilities.

Note:

Candidates must be licensed to practice law in California and have extensive civil rights litigation experience, including police litigation and first-chair trial experience on Section 1983 matters. No solo practitioners. Senior attorneys are encouraged to apply.

About Us

We are an established California law firm exclusively dedicated to representing public agencies throughout the state. Our attorneys work collaboratively on sophisticated litigation matters while providing exceptional legal counsel and trial advocacy to our clients. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Independently manage complex civil rights and police litigation matters.
• Serve as first-chair trial counsel on Section 1983 litigation.
• Manage discovery from inception through trial.
• Develop litigation strategy for constitutional and civil rights claims.
• Conduct depositions and witness examinations.
• Prepare and argue motions before state and federal courts.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Evaluate legal risks and advise public entity clients.
• Coordinate expert witnesses and trial preparation.
• Represent clients during hearings, mediations, and trials.
• Conduct legal research involving constitutional law and civil rights issues.
• Maintain regular communication with clients regarding litigation strategy and case developments.

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license.
• 10+ years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience handling police litigation and representing public entities.
• First-chair experience in at least 5 Section 1983 trials.
• Exceptional legal research and writing abilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and case management skills.
• Ability to independently manage complex litigation while collaborating with a team.
• J.D. from an accredited law school.

Why You Will Love Working Here

You'll work on meaningful constitutional and civil rights litigation with a collaborative team that values professional excellence and courtroom advocacy. This role offers sophisticated legal work, hybrid flexibility, performance bonuses, comprehensive benefits, and long-term career growth in a respected public-sector litigation practice.

JPC-1470

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance