Litigation Associate

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in California invites associates to join its Defense Litigation team. Lawyers will handle cases across state and federal courts, with opportunities to take depositions and manage matters from day one.

The firm emphasizes mentorship, training, and substantial growth through its support programs, including flexible paths and a strong nationwide platform.

Qualifications

• Must be admitted to the California bar in good standing.
• Ideal candidates will have 1+ years of civil litigation experience in both state and federal courts.
• Experience representing clients in insurance defense litigation matters is preferred.
• Candidates should also have strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of your own cases and develop as a litigator from day one.
• Opportunity to take depositions and gain hands-on trial experience.
• Mentorship, training, and meaningful opportunities to learn from experienced attorneys.

Skills

Civil litigation

Insurance defense

Research skills

Writing skills

Analytical skills

Job description

Location:

California | Hybrid or Remote

Hinshaw & Culbertson, a leading national law firm, seeks Associates to join its Defense Litigation practice group in California.

Join Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP’s nationally recognized Insurance Services practice, a cornerstone of the firm’s litigation platform and a powerhouse in insurance defense, representing leading insurers in sophisticated, high-stakes matters nationwide. This is an exceptional opportunity to grow your career through hands‑on experience, take ownership of your own cases, take depositions, and develop as a litigator from day one—with mentorship, training, and meaningful opportunities to learn from accomplished insurance defense attorneys throughout the firm.

Why Hinshaw & Culbertson

Excellence, Recognized.

13 national rankings and 56 metro rankings in the 2026 Best Law Firms® directory. 80 lawyers named to Best Lawyers in America®, with 22 rising stars on the Ones to Watch™ list. National Chambers USA honors in Aviation, Financial Services, and Insurance. This isn't legacy prestige — it's excellence earned every year, by people at every stage of their career.

Scale That Backs You Up.

90+ years in practice. 450+ attorneys in 25 offices nationwide. One firm, coast to coast — giving you the resources of a national platform with the relationships of a firm that still knows your name.

Equality Isn't a Talking Point Here.

14 years running at 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. Mansfield Rule Certified Plus. A firm‑wide commitment to pro bono work that runs through nearly every practice group. At Hinshaw, inclusion isn't a program — it's how we've operated for over a decade, consistently.

Bottom line:

Ranked nationally. Built for the long run. Committed to getting it right — for our people, our clients, and our communities.

Position Requirements:

• Must be admitted to the California bar in good standing.
• Ideal candidates will have 1+ years of civil litigation experience in both state and federal courts.
• Experience representing clients in insurance defense litigation matters is preferred.
• Candidates should also have strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

Salary Range

California Candidates Only: Estimated $140,000 to $200,000. The estimated salary range displayed is specifically for those applicants who will perform work in California if selected for the role and is not applicable to other locations. Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary range, market data, applicant skills, relevant experience, degrees, or certifications.

Competitive Compensation & Multiple Paths to Earn More

Hinshaw’s compensation structure is designed to reward performance and provide multiple opportunities to increase your total compensation. In addition to competitive base salaries, attorneys can benefit from:

• Semi-annual hours-based bonuses rewarding strong billable performance
• Annual billed-and-collected bonuses providing an additional opportunity to directly benefit from your business and billing results
• Discretionary annual bonuses recognizing overall contributions and performance

With multiple bonus opportunities throughout the year, Hinshaw provides several avenues to achieve—and potentially exceed your compensation goals.

Exceptional Benefits, Growth & Career Support

Hinshaw offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well‑being, career growth, and life beyond the workplace. Employees enjoy top-tier healthcare with multiple medical plan options to fit individual and family needs, along with dental and vision coverage.

Additional benefits include

• generous PTO and holidays
• retirement savings and wealth management resources
• parental and personal leave with reintegration support,
• wellness and mental health resources,
• EAP
• flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• Hinshaw also recognizes and rewards long‑term commitment through its employee anniversary program.

Your growth matters at Hinshaw. Through a dedicated Mentor Program, Hinshaw University skills development, Trial Workshops, and free monthly CLE programs, attorneys have meaningful opportunities to sharpen their skills and advance their careers. Our Peer Recognition Program allows you to be recognized and recognize fellow peers for outstanding work. Flexible career tracks allow you to shape your professional path, while coast-to-coast pro bono opportunities provide the chance to make an impact in communities across the country.

At Hinshaw, you’re not just joining a firm; you’re joining a firm invested in your success, your career, and your life.

As an EOE/AA employer, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

This position is not open to recruiters

NOTICE TO SEARCH FIRMS: Search firms that wish to present candidates to Hinshaw must submit all candidates exclusively through Hinshaw’s Recruitment Team. All resumes and candidate information must be directed to the Recruitment Team to be considered for current or future opportunities. Submissions made outside of this process will not be reviewed, will not establish candidate ownership, and will not create an obligation for Hinshaw to pay a placement fee.