Litigation Associate - Police Practices

Allen, Glaessner, Hazelwood & Werth, LLP; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Allen, Glaessner, Hazelwood & Werth, LLP in San Francisco seeks a 3–5 year associate to join its Police Practices/Public Entity Defense team. The firm handles civil rights, police practices, personal injury, and other high-stakes matters in state and federal court.

The ideal candidate will have government or public entity exposure, a federal motion-writing background, and a judicial clerkship. The role offers growth opportunities and a collaborative, hybrid working environment in the SF office.

Qualifications

• Requires 3–5 years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience defending public entities or police practices is a plus.
• Active California license to practice law.

Responsibilities

• Handle all stages of litigation including case evaluation, discovery, depositions, motions, settlement, trial preparation, and trial.
• Work with partners and associates to develop a sophisticated police practices/public entity defense practice.
• Collaborate with clients and public entities in federal and state court proceedings.

Skills

Civil litigation

Federal motion-writing

Legal research & writing

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Judicial clerkship experience

Job description

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY – POLICE PRACTICES / PUBLIC ENTITY DEFENSE

Are you a civil litigator who wants to build on your experience representing public entities, government agencies, or public officials? Or did you begin your career as a judicial law clerk and want to move into complex civil litigation? We are a growing San Francisco Bay Area boutique litigation firm seeking a 3–5 year associate to join our Police Practices/Public Entity Defense practice. We represent municipalities, public agencies and their employees in complex civil litigation, including civil rights, police practices, personal injury and other high-stakes matters in state and federal court.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked as a government attorney, represented public entities, or completed a judicial clerkship.

Attorneys in the group have the opportunity to work closely with experienced trial lawyers and develop substantial responsibility in cases litigated in both federal and state court. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who wants to build a sophisticated litigation practice in the area of police practices and public entity defense. The successful candidate will be involved in all stages of litigation, including case evaluation, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement, trial preparation, and trial.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Three to five years of civil litigation experience, preferably in a defense practice, public entity practice, or other complex litigation environment.
• Experience defending law enforcement agencies or personnel is preferred, but not required. Attorneys with strong litigation experience who are interested in developing a police practices practice are encouraged to apply.
• Federal motion-writing experience is required, including experience drafting or contributing to dispositive motions such as motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment.
• Federal judicial clerkship or other judicial/court experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in the public sector, either with a government agency or representing public entities in private practice, is a plus.
• Exceptional analytical skills and the ability to quickly understand complex legal and factual issues and provide clear, practical, and persuasive written and verbal analysis and advice to clients.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with partners, associates, and clients.
• An active license to practice law in California.

What We Offer

We are a collegial and collaborative litigation practice where associates work directly with experienced partners and have meaningful opportunities to develop their litigation and trial skills. The position offers exposure to sophisticated public entity and police practices matters in both federal and state court, with opportunities to take increasing responsibility for cases as experience develops.

The firm operates in a hybrid work environment, with regular work in our San Francisco office expected. This is not a 100% remote position.

Compensation: $165,000–$195,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Exceptional candidates, including those with significant federal court, judicial clerkship, or trial experience, may be considered at a higher level. The firm offers a competitive benefits package.

The firm is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates with diverse personal and professional backgrounds.