Litigation Associate

McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson; La Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson in San Diego County seeks a Litigation Associate to support public entity and education law clients. The role focuses on civil litigation, drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery, plus research and analysis to guide strategy.

The ideal candidate has a JD from an accredited school, CA bar eligibility, strong writing skills, and the ability to manage multiple matters while coordinating with partners, clients, witnesses, and experts for hearings

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school with bar eligibility in California.
• Experience drafting motions, pleadings, and discovery responses.
• Strong legal research and analytical writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, and discovery responses for public entity and education matters.
• Conduct legal research and prepare case analyses and strategy recommendations.
• Take and defend depositions, coordinate with clients, witnesses, and experts.
• Support hearings, arbitrations, and trials with partners and team members.

Skills

Civil litigation

Legal writing

Legal research

Deposition experience

Case management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw/Lexis

Job description

Company Description

McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson is a San Diego County law firm founded in 1946, with a long-standing focus on serving public entities and educational institutions. The firm has represented cities and special districts in San Diego County longer than any other local firm. Its education practice serves public and charter schools, community college districts, educational auxiliary organizations, and other public and private clients across California. The firm advises clients on labor and collective bargaining, management and employment matters, facilities and construction issues, and general education law. Team members join a practice that blends public sector representation with complex, statewide education law work.

Role Description

The Litigation Associate will handle a variety of civil litigation matters, primarily supporting the firm’s public entity and education law clients. Day-to-day responsibilities include drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery responses; conducting legal research; and preparing case analyses and litigation strategy recommendations. The role involves taking and defending depositions, assisting with court appearances, and coordinating with clients, witnesses, and experts. The Litigation Associate will collaborate with partners and other team members to manage case files, support settlement negotiations, and prepare for hearings, arbitrations, and trials. This is a full-time, on-site role based in La Mesa, CA.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in law, including civil litigation and familiarity with public entity or education law matters.
• Experience drafting motions, pleadings, and other litigation documents with clear, persuasive legal writing.
• Advanced Research skills using legal databases and other sources to support case strategy and written work.
• Hands-on experience with depositions, including preparation, taking, or defending depositions of parties and witnesses.
• Knowledge of Courts procedures, rules of civil procedure, and local court practices.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in California (or eligibility for prompt admission).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical abilities, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Prior experience representing public entities, schools, or governmental agencies is beneficial.

$110,000.00-$130,000.00 per year