Senior Associate

The Zhou Law Group; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Zhou Law Group in Pasadena, CA, seeks a Senior Associate to manage a portfolio of complex family law matters, including high-asset divorce and custody disputes. You will handle client consultations, research, pleadings, and discovery, and represent clients in court, negotiations, and mediations.

Collaborating with attorneys and experts, you will mentor junior staff, contribute to strategy, and maintain meticulous documentation while ensuring clear, compassionate communication with clients

Qualifications

• Strong family law experience including complex divorce, high-asset property division, custody, and support matters.
• Proficiency in legal research, drafting motions and pleadings, and managing discovery and evidence.
• Courtroom advocacy skills, including oral argument, witness examination, and settlement negotiations.
• Client relationship skills, with clear communication, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and expectation management.
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior attorneys, paralegals, or support staff.
• Active California Bar license in good standing.
• Prior experience at a family law firm or in complex civil litigation.
• Ability to work on-site in Pasadena, CA with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Mandarin or Cantonese language skills are highly beneficial; other languages a plus.
• Experience handling high-net-worth matters involving business interests and executive compensation.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of complex family law cases, including high-asset divorce, property division, custody, and support.
• Conduct client consultations, legal research, draft pleadings and motions, and prepare discovery.
• Represent clients in court hearings, settlement conferences, and mediations.
• Collaborate with colleagues, supervise junior team members, and coordinate with experts (forensic accountants, custody evaluators).
• Contribute to case strategy and maintain detailed case documentation.
• Ensure timely communication with clients and opposing counsel.

Skills

Family law experience

Legal research

Motions & pleadings

Discovery

Courtroom advocacy

Client relationships

Mentoring/junior staff

On-site Pasadena

Mandarin/Cantonese beneficial

High-net-worth / complex financials

Job description

The Zhou Law Group is a California-based family law firm with offices in San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, handling culturally complex and high-stakes disputes. Led by a Certified Family Law Specialist, the firm focuses on complex divorce and high-asset matters, often involving business ownership, executive compensation, and multi-state or international assets. The practice is deeply connected to immigrant communities and is trusted by clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. The team is known for combining disciplined advocacy with empathy, guided by a strong understanding of generational expectations and cross-cultural dynamics. Services are provided fluently in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Role Description

The Senior Associate will manage a portfolio of complex family law cases, including high-asset divorce, property division, custody, and support matters. Day-to-day responsibilities include client consultations, legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, preparing discovery, and representing clients in court hearings, settlement conferences, and mediations. The role involves collaborating with colleagues, supervising junior team members, and coordinating with experts such as forensic accountants and custody evaluators. The Senior Associate will also contribute to case strategy, maintain detailed case documentation, and ensure timely communication with clients and opposing counsel. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Pasadena, CA.

Qualifications

• Strong family law experience, including complex divorce, high-asset property division, custody, and support matters.


• Proficiency in legal research, drafting motions and pleadings, and managing discovery and evidence.


• Courtroom advocacy skills, including oral argument, examination of witnesses, and negotiation in settlement contexts.


• Client relationship skills, including clear communication, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to manage expectations.


• Experience mentoring or supervising junior attorneys, paralegals, or support staff.


• Active California Bar license in good standing.


• Prior experience at a family law firm or in a practice focused on complex civil litigation.


• Ability to work on-site in Pasadena, CA, with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Language skills in Mandarin or Cantonese are highly beneficial; other language abilities are a plus.


• Comfort working with high-net-worth individuals and complex financial structures, including business interests and executive compensation.