Insurance & Complex Defense Associate

Lockridge Partners; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lockridge Partners in Los Angeles is seeking a mid-level associate to handle complex insurance and liability matters for insurers, businesses, and institutional clients across California. This role targets defense attorneys who want greater ownership beyond high-volume case processing.

You will manage cases, take depositions, handle motions, work directly with clients and experts, and guide matters toward mediation or trial.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and CA Bar admission.
• 3–7 years of insurance defense or related litigation experience.
• Experience with discovery, depositions, motions, and case management.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Experience with high-exposure, expert-intensive matters preferred.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently with strong client communication.

Responsibilities

• Defend businesses, insurers, and other clients in complex liability and insurance-related litigation.
• Manage matters from initial case evaluation through discovery, dispositive motions, settlement, and trial preparation.
• Take and defend depositions of plaintiffs, witnesses, experts, and corporate representatives.
• Draft and argue substantive motions and appear at hearings, conferences, mediations, and other proceedings.
• Work with medical, technical, and damages experts to develop liability, causation, exposure, and defense strategies.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding case strategy, exposure, reporting, settlement, and resolution.

Skills

Legal writing

Negotiation

Oral advocacy

Analytical skills

Legal research

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

California Bar admission

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

A sophisticated Los Angeles litigation practice is seeking a mid-level associate to handle complex insurance and liability matters for insurers, businesses, and other institutional clients throughout California. This role is geared toward defense attorneys who have developed strong litigation fundamentals but want to move beyond high-volume case processing into higher-exposure matters with greater ownership. Associates manage cases, take depositions, handle substantive motion practice, work directly with clients and experts, and develop matters toward mediation or trial. Compensation ranges from $165,000-$240,000, depending on experience.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Defend businesses, insurers, and other clients in complex liability and insurance-related litigation
• Manage matters from initial case evaluation and pleadings through discovery, dispositive motions, settlement, and trial preparation
• Take and defend depositions of plaintiffs, witnesses, experts, and corporate representatives
• Draft and argue substantive motions and appear at hearings, conferences, mediations, and other proceedings
• Work with medical, technical, and damages experts to develop liability, causation, exposure, and defense strategies
• Communicate directly with clients regarding case strategy, exposure, reporting, settlement, and resolution

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the California Bar
• 3–7 years of insurance defense, complex liability, or related litigation experience
• Experience handling discovery, depositions, motion practice, and substantive case management
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills
• Experience with higher-exposure, expert-intensive, or complex matters is preferred
• Ability to independently manage a caseload while maintaining strong client communication and attention to detail

WHAT WE OFFER

A stronger platform for defense litigators who want to trade volume for substance. The role combines $165,000-$240,000 in annual compensation with hybrid flexibility, greater ownership of matters, direct client relationships, meaningful deposition and motion experience, and exposure to more sophisticated cases. Associates have room to develop into well-rounded litigators capable of independently managing significant matters rather than simply carrying a large inventory of files.