Real Estate Litigation Associate

JHM Partners; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) or profit-sharing

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Holidays

Bar dues reimbursed

CLE reimbursement

Transit or parking benefits

Job summary

JHM Partners in San Francisco, CA seeks an experienced Real Estate Litigation Associate Attorney to join our boutique practice. You will handle sophisticated real estate and landlord-tenant matters, work directly with clients, and develop expertise across contentious property disputes.

The ideal candidate has 2–5 years of civil litigation experience, strong research and writing skills, and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active California Bar in good standing.
• 2–5 years civil litigation experience.
• Real estate or landlord-tenant litigation preferred.
• Strong research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Tech proficiency with MS Office, Adobe, Westlaw.

Responsibilities

• Case Management: Manage real estate and landlord-tenant litigation matters from research to trial preparation.
• Court Appearances: Represent clients and argue motions in state and federal proceedings and appeals.
• Drafting & Research: Prepare pleadings, motions, writs, briefs, and memoranda.
• Discovery & Negotiation: Manage discovery, conduct depositions, and lead settlement negotiations.
• Client Advisory: Provide direct counsel to property owners on real estate, landlord-tenant, and related matters.
• Strategy Development: Formulate practical legal strategies and provide client-focused advice.

Skills

Civil litigation

Research & writing

Oral advocacy

Client advisory

Litigation strategy

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Westlaw

Job description

A well-established boutique real estate law firm is seeking an experienced Real Estate Litigation Associate Attorney to join its thriving practice in San Francisco, CA.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an attorney with 2–5 years of civil litigation experience who is looking to take on substantive case responsibility, work directly with clients, and develop deep expertise across sophisticated real estate and landlord-tenant matters.

The firm stands out for its highly collaborative culture, direct partner mentorship, and a uniquely manageable 1,600 annual billable-hour requirement—allowing for a genuine work-life balance rarely found in litigation practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Case Management: Manage sophisticated real estate and landlord-tenant litigation matters from research and inception through trial preparation.
• Court Appearances: Represent clients and argue motions in administrative hearings, state and federal court proceedings, and appeals.
• Drafting & Research: Prepare high-quality pleadings, motions, writs, briefs, and legal memoranda.
• Discovery & Negotiation: Manage the discovery process, conduct depositions, and lead strategic settlement negotiations.
• Client Advisory: Provide direct counsel to property owners on real estate, landlord-tenant, and occasional purchase-and-sale matters.
• Strategy Development: Formulate practical legal strategies and provide highly responsive, client-focused advice.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active California Bar membership in good standing (Required).
• 2–5 years of civil litigation experience, with strong proficiency in law and motion practice, discovery, and trial prep.
• Strong legal research, analytical writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Practice Background: Experience in real estate or landlord-tenant litigation is highly preferred. Experience with land-use, administrative law, environmental litigation, writs, or appeals is a significant plus.
• Tech Proficiency: Mastery of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw, or comparable legal technology.
• Work-Life Balance: A balanced 1,600 annual billable-hour requirement.
• Career Trajectory: Clear, transparent path for professional advancement toward Senior Associate or Shareholder.
• Comprehensive Comp: Competitive base salary with performance-based and discretionary bonus opportunities.
• Financial & Lifestyle: 401(k) or profit-sharing plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Professional Support: Full reimbursement for California Bar dues and CLE courses.
• Commuter Perks: Dedicated transit or parking benefits.