Mid-Level Construction Associate (2-4 yrs exp) - California

Permanent Placements LLC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 235,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Family-care benefits

Professional development resources

Job summary

Permanent Placements LLC represents a leading Am Law firm seeking a Construction Associate with 2–4 years of experience to join its California-based Construction practice. The role welcomes litigation backgrounds transitioning into construction law with mentorship and exposure to major projects across California and the Western United States.

Key responsibilities include handling complex construction litigation, contract drafting, and collaboration across related practice areas, with

Qualifications

• 2 to 4 years of relevant legal experience.
• At least 2 years of litigation experience required.
• Construction litigation or construction law experience is a plus but not required.
• Active California Bar membership required.
• Excellent academic credentials.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage sophisticated matters in a collaborative environment.
• Prior Am Law 100 experience strongly preferred.
• Judicial clerkship experience strongly preferred.
• Interest in construction, infrastructure, development, energy, or major project-related legal matters is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in complex construction litigation and disputes.
• Assist with dispute resolution matters involving construction and development projects.
• Conduct legal research and draft substantive motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Manage written discovery, document production, and other aspects of litigation.
• Assist with depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trial preparation.
• Advise developers and other project participants on construction-related legal and contractual issues.
• Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts and related project agreements.
• Assist clients with risk identification, contract interpretation, and dispute avoidance strategies.
• Collaborate with attorneys across construction, projects, energy, environmental, and related practice areas.
• Assume increasing matter and client responsibility as experience develops.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Collaboration

Am Law 100 experience

Judicial clerkship

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Active California Bar membership

Job description

Construction Associate

Position Overview

Our client, a leading Am Law firm, is seeking a Construction Associate with 2 to 4 years of experience to join its California-based Construction practice. This opportunity is particularly well suited for a litigation associate interested in developing a sophisticated construction practice encompassing disputes, counseling, contract drafting, and negotiation.

Candidates do not need prior construction litigation experience. The firm is specifically open to strong commercial or complex litigators interested in transitioning into construction law. The position offers significant hands-on responsibility, mentorship, and exposure to sophisticated construction, development, energy, and infrastructure projects throughout California and the Western United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent clients in complex construction litigation and disputes.

• Assist with dispute resolution matters involving construction and development projects.

• Conduct legal research and draft substantive motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.

• Manage written discovery, document production, and other aspects of litigation.

• Assist with depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trial preparation.

• Advise developers and other project participants on construction-related legal and contractual issues.

• Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts and related project agreements.

• Assist clients with risk identification, contract interpretation, and dispute avoidance strategies.

• Collaborate with attorneys across construction, projects, energy, environmental, and related practice areas.

• Assume increasing matter and client responsibility as experience develops.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• 2 to 4 years of relevant legal experience.

• At least 2 years of litigation experience required.

• Construction litigation or construction law experience is a plus but not required.

• Active California Bar membership required.

• Excellent academic credentials.

• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.

• Ability to manage sophisticated matters in a collaborative environment.

• Prior Am Law 100 experience strongly preferred.

• Judicial clerkship experience strongly preferred.

• Interest in construction, infrastructure, development, energy, or major project-related legal matters is highly desirable.

Compensation

The annual compensation range for this position is $235,000 to $310,000.

Actual compensation will depend on qualifications and experience.

The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits & Professional Development

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401(k) retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance, personal medical and parental leave, paid holidays, family-care benefits, and additional professional development resources.

Associates will have opportunities for substantive responsibility, hands-on mentorship, and exposure to sophisticated construction and infrastructure matters, providing a strong platform for attorneys seeking to develop specialized expertise in construction law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.

Location: California