Law & Motion Associate (5-7 YRS) - San Francisco

Permanent Placements LLC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 310,000 - 390,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Professional development and training

Job summary

Premier international law firm in San Francisco seeks a 5th-7th year Litigation Associate to lead complex law and motion practice, shape trial strategy, and serve as embedded appellate counsel on high‑stakes matters. You will work with trial teams to develop strategy, preserve issues for appeal, and lead briefing throughout the litigation lifecycle, including trials and post‑trial motions.

The role offers exceptional professional development, ownership of high‑profile matters, and collaboration

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• 5-7 years of complex litigation experience.
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Significant law and motion experience.
• Experience handling dispositive motions, evidentiary motions, jury instructions, verdict forms, and trial-related briefing.
• Strong case management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple significant matters simultaneously.
• Experience working within large litigation teams.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Strong academic credentials.

Responsibilities

• Lead law and motion practice in complex litigation matters.
• Draft and argue dispositive motions and evidentiary motions.
• Draft jury instructions, verdict forms, and other trial‑level briefing.
• Serve as embedded appellate counsel on trial teams.
• Partner with trial attorneys to preserve issues for appeal and develop litigation strategy.
• Manage complex briefing schedules and litigation workflows.
• Coordinate across large, multi-attorney litigation teams.
• Supervise and mentor junior associates.
• Work directly with clients, experts, co-counsel, and firm leadership.
• Assist with trials, post-trial motions, and appellate strategy.

Skills

Exceptional legal writing

Strong communication

Leadership abilities

Case management

multitasking

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Litigation Associate – Trial & Appellate Strategy

Our client, a premier international law firm, is seeking a 5th-7th year Litigation Associate to join its litigation team in San Francisco. This unique role is ideal for an attorney who enjoys leading complex law and motion practice, shaping legal strategy in advance of trial, and serving as embedded appellate counsel on high-stakes matters.

The successful candidate will play a central role in sophisticated litigation matters, working closely with trial teams to develop legal strategy, preserve appellate issues, and lead briefing on critical legal questions throughout the litigation lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead law and motion practice in complex litigation matters
• Draft and argue:
  • Dispositive motions
  • Evidentiary motions
  • Jury instructions
  • Verdict forms
  • Other substantive trial-level briefing
• Serve as embedded appellate counsel on trial teams
• Partner closely with trial attorneys to preserve issues for appeal and develop litigation strategy
• Manage complex briefing schedules and litigation workflows
• Coordinate across large, multi-attorney litigation teams
• Supervise and mentor junior associates
• Work directly with clients, experts, co-counsel, and firm leadership
• Assist with trials, post-trial motions, and appellate strategy

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• 5-7 years of complex litigation experience
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Significant law and motion experience
• Experience handling:
  • Dispositive motions
  • Evidentiary motions
  • Jury instructions
  • Verdict forms
  • Trial-related briefing
• Strong case management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple significant matters simultaneously
• Experience working within large litigation teams
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Strong academic credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Judicial clerkship experience
• Experience serving as embedded appellate counsel
• Experience managing law and motion teams through trial
• MDL (Multidistrict Litigation) experience
• Bellwether trial experience
• Coordinated state court proceeding experience
• Product liability or mass tort litigation experience
• Demonstrated leadership responsibilities on significant matters

Why This Opportunity

Our client offers attorneys the opportunity to play a strategic role in some of the most sophisticated litigation matters in the country. Attorneys benefit from:

• Significant ownership of high-profile litigation
• Direct involvement in trial and appellate strategy
• Close collaboration with elite trial teams
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills and supervise junior attorneys
• Exposure to complex commercial, product liability, and mass tort litigation
• Outstanding professional development and career growth opportunities

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $310,000 - $390,000 annually
• Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and location
• Eligibility for bonus opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package

Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Additional firm-sponsored wellness and employee support programs

Location

• San Francisco, California

This position is an excellent fit for litigators who enjoy complex legal analysis, sophisticated motion practice, appellate strategy, and playing a leadership role on major cases as they proceed toward trial.