Litigation Associate - Century City, CA

plug-legal; California (MO); On-site; USD 285,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonuses

Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with matching contributions

Generous PTO and parental leave

Professional development allowances

Job summary

plug-legal is looking for a mid-level litigation associate in California with 4–5 years of experience and California Bar Admission. This role focuses on high-stakes commercial litigation, providing hands-on experience in drafting pleadings, leading discovery strategies, and preparing for trials.

The position offers a unique environment that fosters autonomy and support for building professional networks early in one's career. Compensation includes a competitive salary range of $285,000 to $325,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 4th or 5th year litigation associate experience.
• Mastery of drafting and written discovery.
• Eagerness to transition into stand-up advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings and high-level briefs.
• Lead state and federal discovery strategies.
• Prepare for complex trials and arbitrations.

Skills

Commercial litigation

Drafting pleadings

Discovery strategies

Oral arguments

Education

California Bar Admission

Job description

Commercial & Business Litigation · 4–5 Years of Experience · California Bar Admission

Many mid-level litigation associates at sprawling global firms find themselves trapped under layers of senior staffing, limited to document review or endless discovery cycles. This position, with a premier California-founded business law firm, offers the exact antidote: sophisticated, high-stakes commercial litigation paired with a transparent, entrepreneurial track where you are expected to take the second chair.

The Work

The practice handles high-value commercial and business disputes, offering immediate, substantive experience across the entire lifecycle of a case. Rather than being siloed into a single phase of litigation, you will actively draft pleadings and high-level briefs, lead state and federal discovery strategies, and handle correspondence directly with corporate clients. Crucially, the firm's lean staffing model means a 4th or 5th-year associate will gain meaningful, hands‑on experience taking and defending depositions, presenting oral arguments in court, and actively preparing for complex trials and arbitrations.

Who This Is For

This role is specifically tailored for a 4th or 5th‑year litigation associate who has mastered the foundational mechanics of drafting and written discovery, and is now eager to transition into stand‑up advocacy. If you are currently at a mega‑firm looking for greater autonomy and a shorter line of sight to partnership, or at a boutique seeking a more dominant West Coast business platform, this position bridges that gap perfectly.

The Platform

The firm stands out for its unique blend of top‑tier institutional resources and a genuine, collaborative culture that lacks the rigid bureaucracy of traditional Big Law. Known for its strong entrepreneurial spirit, the firm actively encourages and supports associates who want to build their own professional networks and client bases early in their careers. It is an environment built on mutual respect and light oversight, where exceptional work product is met with increased autonomy.

Why Century City

Operating out of Century City means being positioned at the absolute epicenter of Southern California's corporate, entertainment, and real estate deal flow. You get all the prestige and high‑end complexity of a major metropolitan practice, but within a highly professional, walking‑friendly business district that avoids downtown logistics.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated initial annual base salary range for this full‑time role is $285,000 to $325,000, unbundled from strict lockstep scales to reward individual skill, experience, and efficiency.

The firm also provides a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, including:

• Discretionary and performance‑driven annual bonuses
• Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with firm matching contributions
• Generous PTO, paid vacation, and comprehensive parental leave
• Long‑term disability and basic life insurance
• Dedicated allowances for professional development, bar dues, and continuing legal education (CLE)