Litigation Associate

Lateral Link; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Bonus potential

Job summary

Lateral Link in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a junior Litigation Associate for a broad-based commercial litigation practice. You’ll handle a wide range of matters, from discovery to briefing and trial preparation, collaborating with partners across the firm’s nationwide platform.

The role features an 1,800 billable-hour target, flexible hybrid schedule, and real responsibility early in your career. Ideal candidates have 2–4 years of civil litigation experience and CA admission or eligibility.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of civil litigation experience
• Strong legal research and brief-writing skills
• General commercial/civil litigation background (no specialized experience required)
• Judicial clerkship experience viewed very favorably
• Strong academic credentials
• Admitted to practice in California (or awaiting/eligible for admission)

Responsibilities

• Handle a broad mix of commercial and civil litigation matters across multiple partners and practice areas.
• Draft, propound, and respond to written discovery.
• Conduct legal research and draft briefs, motions, and other filings.
• Support all phases of litigation and arbitration, from pre-filing strategy through trial.
• Gain exposure to trade secrets, white-collar and investigations, securities, employment/non-compete, and business disputes, as well as emerging AI and crypto matters.
• Collaborate with attorneys across the firm's offices.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Legal research

Brief-writing

Written discovery

Job description

Litigation Associate — Broad-Based Commercial Litigation

About the Firm

Well-established AmLaw firm with a national platform and a broad-based commercial litigation practice in its Los Angeles office. The LA litigation team is tight-knit and collegial, with associates working directly with multiple partners and collaborating with colleagues firmwide. The group's docket spans general commercial and civil litigation, trade secrets, white-collar and internal investigations, private securities disputes, employment and non-compete matters, and business and probate disputes — plus a growing book of emerging-technology work, including AI- and crypto-related matters. Associates earn real responsibility early and get exposure to an unusually wide range of work.

About the Role

This is a junior litigation seat built for breadth. Rather than slotting into a single niche, the associate will handle a wide variety of commercial and civil litigation matters, drawing work from several partners and practice types. It's an ideal fit for a litigator who wants to build a versatile foundation, including written discovery, motion practice, briefing, and all phases of litigation and arbitration, while working closely with senior attorneys on a national platform.

The role carries an 1,800 billable-hour target, and the team values attorneys who are proactive, collaborative, and eager to learn multiple sides of the practice. The firm is open to candidates from a range of backgrounds, including attorneys at smaller firms looking to step up to a national platform, not just traditional BigLaw résumés.

Responsibilities

• Handle a broad mix of commercial and civil litigation matters across multiple partners and practice areas.
• Draft, propound, and respond to written discovery.
• Conduct legal research and draft briefs, motions, and other filings.
• Support all phases of litigation and arbitration, from pre-filing strategy through trial.
• Gain exposure to trade secrets, white-collar and investigations, securities, employment/non-compete, and business disputes, as well as emerging AI and crypto matters.
• Collaborate with attorneys across the firm's offices.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of civil litigation experience
• Strong legal research and brief-writing skills
• A general commercial/civil litigation background (no specialized substantive experience required)
• Judicial clerkship experience viewed very favorably
• Strong academic credentials
• Admitted to practice in California (or awaiting/eligible for admission)

Required Skills

• General civil litigation experience, including written discovery and briefing

Preferred Skills

• Judicial clerkship
• Exposure to trade secrets, white-collar/investigations, securities, or business disputes
• A self-starter who thrives in a smaller, collaborative team and is comfortable working across offices

Pay range and compensation package

Competitive compensation ($235,000 to $310,000 base salary, commensurate with experience, plus bonuses). 1,800 billable-hour target. Full benefits package.

HYBRID — Los Angeles, CA (approximately two days per week in office)

Equal Opportunity Statement

The firm is committed to diversity and inclusivity.