Senior Associate

Aleshire & Wynder, LLP; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Aleshire & Wynder, LLP in California seeks an experienced Senior Associate Attorney with a strong background in litigation, public entity defense, and substantial trial experience to join our team.

Candidates will have 6–8 years of civil litigation experience, including first-chair or significant second-chair trial exposure, and the ability to independently manage matters from intake through trial or appeal.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6–8 years of civil litigation experience.
• First-chair or substantial second-chair trial experience.
• Ability to independently manage complex litigation matters from intake through trial/appeal.
• Experience representing public entities or government clients is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle broad range of litigation and public law matters with minimal supervision.
• Develop and implement litigation strategy for municipal and government clients.
• Prepare and argue dispositive motions and manage all phases of discovery.
• Lead witness preparation, depositions, and trial readiness.
• Mentor junior attorneys and collaborate with supervising attorneys.

Skills

Civil litigation

Trial experience

Public entity defense

Legal strategy

Deposition & discovery

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Aleshire & Wynder is seeking an experienced Senior Associate Attorney with a strong background in litigation, public entity defense, and substantial trial experience to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 6-8 years of civil litigation experience, including first-chair or significant second-chair trial experience, and a demonstrated ability to independently manage complex litigation matters from intake through trial, arbitration, settlement, or appeal. This role involves working closely with municipal and government clients, developing litigation strategy, preparing and arguing dispositive motions, handling all phases of discovery, taking and defending depositions, managing expert witnesses, and representing clients in court proceedings and trials. The Senior Associate Attorney will work closely with supervising attorneys and public agency clients across diverse practice areas and will be expected to demonstrate strong judgment, initiative, leadership, and courtroom advocacy skills.

• Handle and advise on a broad range of litigation and public law matters with minimal supervision, including high-exposure and complex disputes involving: Cannabis, Code Enforcement, Contracts & Public Works, Economic Development, Education, Elections, Energy & Utilities, Environment & Natural Resources, Ethics & Open Government, Franchises, Housing, Labor & Employment, Land Use & Zoning, Litigation, Mining, Mobile Home Parks & Rent Control, Property Acquisition & Takings, Public Agency Organization, Public Finance, Public Safety, Real Estate, Risk Management & Torts, Telecommunications, Toxics & Hazardous Waste, and Water.
• Independently manage all phases of litigation, including case evaluation, factual investigation, pleadings, written discovery, depositions, law and motion practice, mediation, arbitration, trial preparation, and trial.
• Prepare, argue, and defend complex motions, including dispositive motions, discovery motions, motions in limine, and appellate-related briefing.
• Conduct and supervise discovery, including document review, subpoenas, depositions, e-discovery coordination, expert discovery, and witness preparation.
• Represent public entities, elected officials, and administrative staff in state and federal courts, administrative hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and other adversarial proceedings.
• Develop and implement litigation strategy, evaluate legal exposure, and provide practical risk-management advice to public agency clients.
• Conduct witness interviews, prepare fact and expert witnesses for testimony, and develop evidentiary records in support of litigation strategy.
• Handle trial preparation, including exhibit preparation, witness coordination, jury instructions, trial briefs, and courtroom presentation.
• Collaborate and consult with colleagues in specialized practice areas to develop comprehensive legal strategies and confirm legal approaches.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication and strategic counseling.
• Mentor, train, and supervise Associate Attorneys, Paralegals, and Legal Secretaries as needed.
• Assist with practice group development, client training, business development efforts, and internal process improvements.
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with all firm policies, ethical obligations, and professional standards.