Real Estate Litigation Associate Attorney

Mill Law Center; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Zacks, Freedman & Chernev, PC seeks a litigation associate with 2–5 years of civil litigation experience to join its real estate practice in San Francisco. The role features substantive case responsibility, direct client contact, court appearances, and a clear path for advancement.

Responsibilities include advising clients, drafting pleadings and motions, performing legal research, and representing clients in state and federal courts as well as administrative proceedings.

Qualifications

• Active California Bar membership is required or in good standing.
• 2–5 years of civil litigation experience as noted in the job description.
• Experience with law and motion practice, discovery, and trial preparation.
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to property owners on real estate and landlord-tenant matters.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings, trial court proceedings, and appeals.
• Draft and argue pleadings, motions, and writs.
• Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Manage discovery and support trial preparation.
• Communicate directly with clients and opposing counsel.
• Negotiate settlements and draft agreements to resolve disputes.

Skills

Civil litigation

Real estate litigation

Landlord-tenant litigation

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Client communication

Trial preparation

Discovery management

Court appearances

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Associate Attorney

Zacks, Freedman & Chernev, PC seeks a litigation associate with 2 to 5 years of experience to join its real estate practice. This position offers substantive case responsibility, direct client contact, regular court appearances, a 1,600-hour annual billable requirement, and a clear path for advancement. The Associate Attorney supports our real estate practice by advising clients, conducting legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, and representing clients in judicial proceedings in both State and federal courts, as well as in administrative proceedings. This position is based in our San Francisco office and requires regular in-person attendance Monday through Friday.

What You'll Do

• Provide legal counsel to property owners on real estate and landlord-tenant matters.
• Provide occasional support on real estate purchase-and-sale matters.
• Represent clients in administrative hearings, trial court proceedings, and appeals.
• Draft and argue pleadings, motions, and writs.
• Conduct legal research and analyze statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Manage discovery and support trial preparation.
• Communicate directly with clients and opposing counsel.
• Negotiate settlements and draft agreements to resolve disputes.

Required

• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• Two to five years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience with law and motion practice, discovery, and trial preparation.
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and Westlaw.

Preferred

• Real estate or landlord-tenant litigation experience.
• Land-use, administrative-law, or environmental-litigation experience.
• Experience with writs or appellate matters.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent written communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to providing responsive, client-focused service. This role requires prior experience supporting law and motion matters, discovery, and trial preparation.

About the Firm

Zacks, Freedman & Chernev, PC is a boutique real estate law firm with more than 25 years of experience representing property owners, businesses, and developers throughout the Bay Area. Our attorneys handle litigation, administrative proceedings, appeals, land-use matters, landlord-tenant disputes, construction matters, and real estate transactions. We offer associates substantive responsibility, direct mentorship, and opportunities to develop their own practices.