Mid-Level Litigation Associate

Stoel Rives LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 295,000; Full time

Job summary

Stoel Rives LLP in San Francisco seeks a litigation associate with 3-6 years of experience to join its Litigation Practice Group. The role involves drafting, depositions, discovery, and trial preparation.

The firm handles complex disputes across industries and offers substantial training and advancement opportunities; base compensation ranges from $220,000 to $295,000, with eligibility for bonuses based on hours.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school; admitted to the California bar.
• 3–6 years of general/commercial litigation experience at a major firm.
• Strong writing, oral advocacy, and analytical skills; attention to detail; ability to manage multiple matters.

Responsibilities

• Draft, research, and argue motions (including motions to dismiss, summary judgment, and discovery motions).
• Take and defend fact and expert depositions; prepare witnesses for testimony.
• Lead discovery, including ESI strategy and negotiations, custodial interviews, protocols, privilege logs, and vendor management.
• Prepare pleadings, briefs, and written discovery; develop case strategy with partners and clients.
• Appear at hearings, conferences, mediations, and arbitrations; support trial preparation and trial teams.
• Oversee case calendars, budgets, and workstreams; supervise junior associates and paralegals.
• Coordinate with subject-matter teams (e.g., appellate, regulatory, investigations) as needed and interface directly with clients and opposing counsel.

Skills

Litigation experience

Motion practice

Depositions

Discovery management

ESI

Federal Rules

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Client service

Education

JD from accredited law school

California bar admission

Tools

e-discovery platforms

Litigation technology

Job description

Stoel Rives LLP is seeking a litigation associate with three to six years of experience to join its Litigation Practice Group in the San Francisco office.

Our Litigation Team Stoel Rives' litigators are trial lawyers. We handle and win contentious, complex, and high-stakes disputes in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies across the country. We handle a wide variety of disputes with an emphasis on environmental, antitrust, class action, intellectual property, and securities litigation, as well as white-collar criminal matters and internal investigations. We represent major companies, institutions, and individuals across a number of industries, including energy, healthcare, insurance, real estate, financial services, semiconductor, manufacturing, and consumer goods. We have over 80 trial lawyers across nine offices. Our litigation group consistently has been recognised in the top tiers of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and Best Law Firms.

Responsibilities (will vary based on years of experience)

• Draft, research, and argue motions (including motions to dismiss, summary judgment, and discovery motions).
• Take and defend fact and expert depositions; prepare witnesses for testimony.
• Lead discovery, including ESI strategy and negotiations, custodial interviews, protocols, privilege logs, and vendor management.
• Prepare pleadings, briefs, and written discovery; develop case strategy with partners and clients.
• Appear at hearings, conferences, mediations, and arbitrations; support trial preparation and trial teams.
• Oversee case calendars, budgets, and workstreams; supervise junior associates and paralegals.
• Coordinate with subject-matter teams (e.g., appellate, regulatory, investigations) as needed and interface directly with clients and opposing counsel.

Qualifications

JD from an accredited law school; admitted and in good standing with the California bar. 3-6 years of general/commercial litigation experience at an AmLaw 100 or AmLaw 200 firm (or equivalent). Significant experience with motion practice, depositions, and leading/managing complex discovery (including ESI and privilege issues). Strong command of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence; familiarity with state procedural rules; clerkship and/or trial experience a plus. Exceptional writing, oral advocacy, and analytical skills; meticulous attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters, meet deadlines, and drive workstreams in a team-oriented environment. Proficiency with e-discovery platforms and litigation technology; strong client-service orientation and sound judgment.

Hours Expectations & Compensation

The hours expectation for this position is 1,800 billable hours and an "all-in" hours expectation of 2,050 or 2,150, depending on seniority. The billable hours expectation includes up to 50 pro-bono hours. All-in hours include the billable hours expectation as well as any additional billable hours, additional pro-bono hours, and investment hours. Investment activities include business development, professional development, mentoring and coaching, recruiting, contributing to the firm's workplace culture, and civic and community activities.

To be eligible for a bonus, associates must reach or exceed 1,850 billable hours (inclusive of up to 50 pro-bono hours) and meet or exceed the all-in hours expectation. Bonuses are based on meeting or exceeded hours thresholds at 1850 billable hours, 1900 billable hours, and 1950 billable hours.

The base compensation range for this position is $220,000 - $295,000, inclusive of salaries in all listed markets. Base compensation presented to an individual candidate may vary based on skills, overall experience, and market location.

Developing & Retaining Talent

We offer a variety of training programs and retreats addressing practice area topics and skills at all levels, as well as legal and professional skills generally.

We have a coaching and mentoring program, and our new lawyer integration program provides new lawyers with the resources and information necessary to succeed after they join the firm.

Finally, we have a core competency model which is a roadmap of the practical skills, abilities, and client service techniques needed for long-term success at the firm.

We value lawyers and business professionals who bring to the firm different backgrounds and experiences. Our people bring a variety of educational backgrounds, unique career experiences, bodies of knowledge, technical abilities, and community involvement. This variety makes us better at advising and serving our clients and it ensures a positive and supportive workplace for everyone.

We are proud participants in the ABA Well-Being Pledge, strongly believing that the well-being of our people is paramount to the success of the firm.

Stoel Rives is a leading U.S. corporate and litigation law firm providing sophisticated business clients high quality legal services. With offices in seven states and Washington, D.C., Stoel Rives is a nationally recognized leader in project finance and the energy and natural resources industries. From deals and disputes to compliance and counseling, clients turn to Stoel Rives for their most complex business challenges. Learn more at www.stoel.com.