General Liability - Associate Attorney

Wilson Elser (Attorney Careers); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Disability and life insurance

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Wilson Elser in San Francisco is seeking a General Liability Associate to join our defense litigation team. This full-time role offers a flexible hybrid or remote arrangement and opportunities to handle matters from discovery through trial.

Ideal candidates have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school, admission to the California bar, and 2+ years of defense litigation experience, including drafting motions and appearing in court. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school and CA bar admission.
• 2+ years of defense litigation experience with exposure to discovery, motions, and court appearances.
• Strong analytical, written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Attend court hearings, depositions, and mediations.
• Collaborate across departments and offices to support defense teams.
• Independently manage a litigation caseload from start to finish.
• Communicate with clients and provide status reports.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Team collaboration

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Admitted to practice in California

Tools

Courtroom experience

Job description

At Wilson Elser, we are redefining what it means to work at a national law firm. With more than 1,400 attorneys across 46 offices nationwide, we are recognized among the top 100 law firms by The American Lawyer and ranked #36 in the National Law Journal’s survey of the nation’s largest law firms.

Our continued success is built on a culture of collaboration, innovation, client service, and mutual respect. We are committed to fostering an environment where attorneys are empowered to grow their careers, contribute meaningfully, and thrive professionally.

General Liability Associate – San Francisco Office

This position offers a flexible, hybrid or remote working arrangement.

We are seeking a motivated professional looking for a long‑term fit where they can grow in a role and will be valued and empowered. This is an excellent opportunity for lawyers with litigation experience who are looking to grow in their careers and take on increased and substantive defense litigation‑based responsibilities.

Discover our newly renovated San Francisco office! Take a virtual tour and explore our building amenities.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, and other legal documents
• Attend court hearings, depositions, and mediations
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments and offices, contributing to a cohesive and supportive team environment
• Independently manage a litigation caseload as part of a team, working cases from beginning to end
• Communicate with clients and provide status reports

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA accredited law school
• Admitted to practice in the state of California
• 2+ years of defense litigation
• Experience with catastrophic injury, product liability, construction defect, habitability, transportation, or other general liability matters
• Experience drafting discovery and pretrial motions required
• Experience cross‑examining plaintiffs and other fact witnesses preferred
• Experience handling court appearances, depositions, and trial experience a plus
• 2nd chair trial experience a plus
• Superior analytical skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: $155,000 - $210,000 USD

Wilson Elser offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our attorneys both professionally and personally. Compensation decisions consider experience, education, licensure, certification, geographic location, market demands, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. This position is also eligible for discretionary bonuses. Final salary wages may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances. This is a full‑time position and therefore qualifies for benefits including a 401(k) retirement savings plan, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.

Why Join Wilson Elser?

• Meaningful Work: Handle sophisticated matters alongside experienced attorneys and partners
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive team environment that values mentorship and professional development
• Advancement: Gain opportunities for long‑term growth within a nationally recognized firm
• Hybrid Flexibility: Enjoy a flexible hybrid work arrangement that supports work‑life balance
• Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive compensation, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and robust medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• Additional Perks: Access to corporate discount programs and employee benefits

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Wilson Elser is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Firm's policy is that employment will be based on merit, qualifications, and competence. Further, employment decisions will be made without regard to an applicant's race, color, age, sex, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, stalking, past or present service in the uniformed services or application or obligation to serve in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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