Litigation Associate

Verve Search Group; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Bar dues & CLE support

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Verve Search Group is seeking a Commercial Litigation Associate to join the Portland office of a nationally recognized AmLaw 50 law firm. This role targets attorneys with 2–4 years of sophisticated commercial litigation experience who will handle substantive motions, discovery, depositions, and client communications, while collaborating across offices and contributing to business development.

The ideal candidate will have J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 2–4 years of commercial litigation experience with a top-tier law firm.
• Active Oregon State Bar admission or eligibility to waive in.
• Experience with motion practice, discovery, and depositions.
• Strong research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy abilities.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage competing matters and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage substantive components of complex commercial litigation matters from initial case development through resolution.
• Research issues and prepare motions, pleadings, briefs, and other substantive filings.
• Lead discovery efforts, including document collection, review, production, and e‑discovery.
• Prepare for and take depositions, defend depositions, and assist with witness preparation.
• Support case strategy, hearings, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation.
• Maintain direct communication with clients regarding litigation developments, strategy, and case status.
• Work closely with partners and attorneys across multiple offices and practice groups.
• Contribute to business‑development initiatives and professional networking.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Discovery management

Oral advocacy

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

e‑discovery tools

Job description

Commercial Litigation Associate | 2–4 Years

Verve Search Group is conducting a confidential search for a Commercial Litigation Associate to join the Portland office of a nationally recognized AmLaw 50 law firm.

This opportunity is geared toward an attorney with 2–4 years of sophisticated commercial litigation experience who is looking to take on meaningful responsibility across complex disputes. The successful candidate will have hands‑on experience with legal research and writing, discovery, depositions, and both state and federal court proceedings.

What You’ll Do

• Manage substantive components of complex commercial litigation matters from initial case development through resolution
• Research legal issues and prepare motions, pleadings, briefs, and other substantive filings
• Lead and coordinate discovery efforts, including document collection, review, production, and e‑discovery
• Prepare for and take depositions, as well as defend depositions and assist with witness preparation
• Support case strategy, hearings, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation
• Maintain direct communication with clients regarding litigation developments, strategy, and case status
• Work closely with partners and attorneys across multiple offices and practice groups
• Contribute to business‑development initiatives and professional networking

What We’re Looking For

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• 2–4 years of commercial litigation experience with a top-tier law firm
• Active admission to the Oregon State Bar, or the ability to promptly waive into Oregon
• Proven experience with substantive motion and pleading practice, discovery management, and depositions
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy abilities
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing matters, deadlines, and priorities
• Demonstrated judgment, initiative, and attention to detail

Additional Experience That’s a Plus

• Admission to the Washington and/or California Bar
• Federal litigation experience, particularly within the District of Oregon or other federal courts
• Background handling class actions, MDLs, or other complex commercial disputes
• Experience working with clients in technology, financial services, life sciences, energy, or similar industries
• Judicial clerkship, law review, or journal experience
• Familiarity with e‑discovery and litigation‑support technologies
• AmLaw 50 market‑level base compensation, with specific details provided to qualified candidates
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO, parental leave, professional development, bar dues, and CLE support
• Hybrid work arrangement based out of the Portland office