Senior Litigation Associate

Stoel Rives LLP; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 279,000 - 341,000; Full time

Job summary

Stoel Rives LLP is seeking a litigation associate in Seattle with at least seven years of experience to join its Litigation Practice Group. The ideal candidate will lead motions practice, manage end-to-end discovery strategy, and serve as a primary client contact.

The role requires extensive litigation experience, strong command of legal procedures, and exceptional advocacy skills. Compensation starts at $310,000+, depending on experience and location.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of complex commercial litigation experience.
• Admitted and in good standing with the Washington bar.
• Proven ability to lead matters independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead motions practice and independently draft and argue motions.
• Manage end-to-end discovery strategy.
• Serve as primary day-to-day client contact.

Skills

Litigation strategy development

Discovery management

Client relationship management

Motions practice

Written and oral advocacy

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Tools

Litigation and e-discovery platforms

Job description

Stoel Rives LLP is seeking a litigation associate with at least seven years of experience to join its Litigation Practice Group in the Seattle office.

Responsibilities

• Lead motions practice: independently draft and argue dispositive and non-dispositive motions, including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, Daubert motions, and complex discovery disputes.
• Own deposition strategy and execution: take and defend key fact and expert depositions; design deposition plans; prepare witnesses (including executives and experts) with minimal partner oversight.
• Direct all phases of discovery: manage end-to-end discovery strategy, including ESI protocols, vendor selection and oversight, custodial interviews, collection decisions, privilege analyses, and negotiations with opposing counsel and regulators.
• Drive case strategy and execution: partner with clients and partners to formulate litigation strategy, assess risk, and align case tactics with business objectives; translate strategy into actionable workstreams.
• Serve as primary day-to-day client contact: interface directly with clients, providing strategic advice, status updates, and budget management; build trusted client relationships.
• Lead hearings and proceedings: appear independently at hearings, status conferences, mediations, and arbitrations; take a leadership role in trial preparation and, where appropriate, trial examination and courtroom advocacy.
• Manage matters holistically: oversee case budgets, staffing, timelines, and deliverables across multiple matters; proactively identify and mitigate risks, inefficiencies, and cost drivers.
• Supervise and develop junior team members: delegate effectively, provide substantive guidance and feedback, and mentor junior associates and paralegals; ensure quality control across all work product.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams: lead collaboration with internal subject-matter experts (e.g., appellate, regulatory, investigations, white collar) and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to practice development: support business development efforts through client relationship expansion, thought leadership, and participation in pitches and proposals.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; admitted and in good standing with the Washington bar (or eligible to obtain admission promptly).
• 7+ years of complex commercial litigation experience, preferably at an AmLaw 100 or 200 firm (or equivalent), with demonstrated progression toward independent matter management.
• Experience in one or more specialized areas within litigation including real estate, construction, environmental, healthcare, and intellectual property litigation is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead matters independently, including owning key strategic decisions, managing clients, and supervising teams with limited partner oversight.
• Extensive experience in motions practice and depositions, including leading dispositive motions and taking/defending high-stakes fact and expert depositions.
• Deep expertise in discovery management, including sophisticated ESI strategy, privilege issues, and vendor coordination in complex, document-intensive matters.
• Strong command of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence, with experience across multiple jurisdictions; clerkship, trial, or arbitration experience strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written and oral advocacy skills, with a record of producing high-quality, client‑ready work product and effectively advocating in adversarial settings.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervision skills, including mentoring junior lawyers, managing teams, and maintaining high standards across workflows.
• Advanced case‑management capabilities, including budgeting, staffing, and handling competing priorities across multiple complex matters.
• Technological proficiency with leading litigation and e‑discovery platforms; ability to leverage technology to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Strong client‑service orientation and business judgment, with the ability to anticipate client needs and deliver practical, strategic advice.

Hours Expectations & Compensation

The hours expectation for this position is 1,800 billable hours and an all‑in hours expectation of 2,050 or 2,150, depending on seniority. The billable hours expectation includes up to 50 pro bono hours. All‑in hours include the billable hours expectation as well as any additional billable hours, additional pro bono hours, and investment hours. Investment activities include business development, professional development, mentoring and coaching, recruiting, contributing to the firm’s workplace culture, and civic and community activities. To be eligible for a bonus, associates must reach or exceed 1,850 billable hours (inclusive of up to 50 pro bono hours) and meet or exceed the all‑in hours expectation. The base compensation range for this position is $310,000+, inclusive of salaries in all listed markets. Base compensation presented to an individual candidate may vary based on skills, overall experience, and market location.