Litigation Associate — Business & Commercial

dlapiper; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper seeks an Associate to join its Litigation group, Business and Commercial. Open in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with a requirement of at least two years of relevant experience. The role involves legal research, writing, client service, and collaboration across offices to support complex disputes and transactions.

Candidates should have a JD and California Bar admission, plus California state court experience; federal clerkship is a plus and AmLaw 100 experience preferred.

Qualifications

• JD required for admission to practice in California.
• California Bar admission is required.
• Minimum 2+ years of Business and Commercial experience.
• California state court experience preferred.
• Federal court clerkship is a plus.
• Direct experience at an AmLaw 100 firm is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support client matters and strategy.
• Prepare clear, well-reasoned legal documents and memoranda.
• Build and maintain client relationships with responsive, high-quality service.
• Collaborate with lawyers across practices and offices to support objectives.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and identify risks with practical solutions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable ethics and professional standards.
• Participate in ongoing training to enhance legal and leadership skills.
• Contribute to firm citizenship and community engagement initiatives.
• Manage and support complex litigation, arbitration, investigations, and disputes from inception through resolution.
• Develop case strategies, analyze issues, and assess litigation risks and opportunities.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests/responses, and related documents.
• Prepare witnesses and experts for hearings, mediations, and trials.
• Participate in court appearances, negotiations, and settlement discussions.
• Coordinate discovery, including document review and e-discovery activities.
• Collaborate with clients, experts, and internal teams to advance strategy.
• Monitor legal developments and procedural rules relevant to matters and industries.
• Support complex domestic and cross-border transactions from inception through closing.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Judgment

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Independent work

Strategic thinking

Education

JD

Job description

DLA Piper seeks an Associate to join its Litigation group, Business and Commercial. Open in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with a requirement of at least two years of relevant experience. The role involves legal research, writing, client service, and collaboration across offices to support complex disputes and transactions.

Candidates should have a JD and California Bar admission, plus California state court experience; federal clerkship is a plus and AmLaw 100 experience preferred.