Senior Litigation Attorney

The Watkins Firm, APC; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote and hybrid schedule

401(k) and retirement contributions

Paid leave and holidays

Medical and dental insurance

MCLE training

Bar dues support

Job summary

The Watkins Firm, APC in San Diego seeks a seasoned litigator to lead its Firm Litigation Department. You will step into a senior, succession-driven role, mentor junior attorneys, and take direct responsibility for key client matters, with the authority to shape strategy and outcomes.

You will manage a full docket from intake through trial or resolution, handle business, employment, and real estate litigation, and enjoy a remote/hybrid work model with generous compensation and supportive

Qualifications

• 10+ years of civil litigation experience and first chair trial experience.
• Strong client-facing presence and strategic thinking.

Responsibilities

• Lead the litigation department and mentor senior and junior attorneys.

Skills

Civil litigation

First chair trial

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Client communication

MS Office

AI tools

NetDocuments

Tools

MS Office

NetDocuments

Cloud-based systems

AI tools

Job description

Our attorneys make more per billable hour than you.

Our attorneys have a better life than you.

Our attorneys never leave.

Now that we have your attention…

THE OPPORTUNITY: FIRM LITIGATION DEPARTMENT LEAD

This is a planned succession. You are stepping into:

• Revenue already on the books
• A retiring senior attorney who will personally transition everything to you
• A leadership role waiting—not promised “someday”

Our attorneys make more per billable hour than you.

• How? They work less. Fewer billable hours.
• Average 6 hours billed per day.

Our attorneys have a better life than you.

• Work anytime, anywhere.
• Cloud-based. AI-driven. Fully remote—giving you the freedom to work from anywhere without missing a beat.
• We don’t supervise. We mentor. Other senior level attorneys available to collaborate.
• More paralegals and support per attorney than your current firm.

Our attorneys never leave.

• Long-tenured team (we’re talking decades, not years)
• People stay because:

• They’re respected
• They’re compensated well
• They have a life outside work
• They feel supported

• You’re a senior attorney — we treat you like one.
• Have real relationships with clients who trust you, respect your time, and rely on your expertise.
• Power over the type of work you do. Power to pick and choose the clients and cases you work on.

Who You Are

You’re a seasoned litigator who knows how to think strategically, move decisively, and win the right way.

You’re trusted by clients, respected by your peers, and comfortable taking the lead on high‑stakes matters. You don’t just react, you think several moves ahead and turn complex challenges into smart, practical outcomes.

You’ve managed cases, led teams, and mentored junior attorneys. And you do it without ego. You value collaboration, take ownership of your work, and deliver results clients actually appreciate.

You’re not looking for just another role, you want the autonomy, support, and platform to do your best work.

Requirements

• 10+ years of civil litigation experience and first chair trial experience
• Strong client-facing presence and strategic thinking
• Proven ability to manage a full litigation caseload independently from intake through trial or resolution
• Demonstrated leadership of litigation teams, including mentoring and developing junior attorneys
• Strong negotiation and settlement skills, with a track record of resolving matters efficiently
• Comfortable leveraging modern legal technology including MS Suite, cloud-based systems, and AI tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Knowledge of NetDocuments preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and confidently with clients, opposing counsel, and the court
• Experience developing strategy early and adjusting it as cases evolve—you think several steps ahead
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability over your cases, clients, and outcomes
• Experience handling business, employment, and real estate litigation matters

Benefits

• 401(k) and 401(h) retirement contributions by firm
• Paid leave including sick time, vacation time and holidays
• Remote and hybrid schedule
• Competitive medical and dental insurance
• Firm provided MCLE training
• Payment of annual bar dues and support of membership in various organizations