Public Entity Defense Associate Attorney

Lynberg & Watkins, APC; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Student loan assistance

Professional growth

Collaborative environment

Mentoring

Favorable attorney to paralegal ratio

Job summary

Lynberg & Watkins, APC in Orange County is seeking a Public Entity Defense Associate Attorney with 3–5 years of litigation experience to defend public entities and government tort matters.

You will handle police liability, employment and general tort defense, review public records, draft pleadings and motions, and participate in all phases of litigation.

This full-time role offers a competitive salary, benefits, mentoring from senior attorneys, and a collaborative, growth‑oriented firm culture.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Active California state bar membership in good standing.
• 3–5 years of litigation experience with focus on public entity defense preferred.
• Strong legal research and writing abilities with analytical rigour.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills; ability to handle multiple cases.

Responsibilities

• Manage matters involving public agencies and municipalities, including police liability and employment defense.
• Review and analyze records, discovery and prepare pleadings, motions, and briefs.
• Participate in all phases of litigation: discovery, depositions, motions, trial prep, appeals.
• Attend court appearances, settlements, mediations and hearings.
• Collaborate with public entity clients, risk managers, opposing counsel and court personnel.

Skills

Litigation experience

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Are you a skilled attorney with a passion for defending public entities?Our dynamic and growing law firm is seeking an experienced Public Entity Defense Associate Attorney to join our team in Orange County.

Position: Public Entity Defense Associate Attorney

Location: Orange, California

Employment Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities:

• Handling a variety of matters involving public agencies and municipalities, such as:
• Police Liability and Excessive Force: Defending law enforcement personnel and agencies in claims arising from use of force, wrongful arrest, and other alleged misconduct.
• Employment and Labor Defense: Defending public entities in cases involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
• General Tort and Premises Liability: Managing claims involving injuries occurring on government-owned or maintained property.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, and briefs on complex legal issues affecting public entities.
• Review and analyze public records, discovery responses, and documents for relevance, privilege, and compliance with the Public Records Act.
• Participate in all phases of litigation including discovery, depositions, motion practice, trial preparation and appeals.
• Attend court appearances, settlement conferences, mediations, and hearings.
• Prepare and organize exhibits, witness materials, and trial binders.
• Collaborate and coordinate with public entity clients, risk managers, opposing counsel, and court personnel.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Active California state bar membership in good standing is required.
• 3-5 years of litigation experience, with a focus on public entity defense, government tort liability, or civil rights defense preferred.
• Proficiency in legal research and writing, with demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal and factual issues.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and time management.
• Ability to handle multiple cases and deadlines efficiently, independently, and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proven track record of achieving favorable results for clients in motion practice, settlement, or trial.
• Availability for occasional travel as required for depositions, hearings, and client meetings.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary $130-200k annually plus benefits package.
• Student loan assistance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Mentoring with senior associates and partner level attorneys.
• 3-to-1 attorney to paralegal ratio.

About us:

Lynberg & Watkins, formed in the early 1970’s, has earned a long-standing reputation of excellence and prominence with clients and the legal community alike.The firm’s core practice is in civil litigation and insurance coverage.We represent public entities, insurance companies and their insureds, private corporations and individuals on a national, regional and local level.

L&W’s Los Angeles office representation includes the defense of high exposure personal injury actions, traumatic brain injuries, exposures to environmental contaminants, habitability claims, state and federal class actions and the investigation and defense of 1 st party insurance fraud claims.Tired of your “Megalaw firm” where you are just a number, not getting the mentoring, credit and responsibility you deserve?We can fix that!