Senior Trial Attorney

Patagon Search; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid healthcare

401(k) with 5% match

No billable-hour requirement

Bonus opportunities

National litigation team

Job summary

Patagon Search in San Diego, CA is seeking an accomplished Trial Attorney to lead plaintiff-side civil litigation for a national firm. The role emphasizes first-chair jury trials, complex matters, and meaningful courtroom advocacy.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of civil litigation experience, California Bar admission, and the ability to commute to University City daily for an in-office position.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of civil litigation experience.
• Extensive first-chair civil jury trial experience.
• Plaintiff-side personal injury experience strongly preferred.
• Active member in good standing of the California Bar.

Responsibilities

• Lead first-chair civil jury trials.
• Develop case strategy, manage discovery, depositions, motions, settlements, and trial prep.
• Represent plaintiff-side personal injury matters.
• Maintain excellent courtroom and client-management skills; communicate with clients.

Skills

First-chair civil trial experience

Case strategy & discovery

Client-management & communication

Education

California Bar admission

Job description

A leading national civil litigation firm is seeking an accomplished Trial Attorney for its Southern California office in University City, San Diego. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced litigator who wants to handle interesting, sophisticated, and genuinely impactful plaintiff-side matters. The firm is a recognized leader in its field, with more than 200 employees nationwide and an outstanding workplace culture. Our recruiting team knows the organization exceptionally well, having made more than 40 successful placements with the firm.

About the Role

The successful candidate must possess extensive first-chair civil trial experience. A background handling plaintiff-side personal injury litigation is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• At least 10 years of civil litigation experience
• Extensive first-chair civil jury trial experience
• Strong command of case strategy, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation
• Plaintiff-side personal injury experience strongly preferred
• Active member in good standing of the California Bar
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-stakes matters
• Excellent courtroom, writing, communication, and client-management skills
• Ability to commute to the University City office every day

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of civil litigation experience
• Extensive first-chair civil jury trial experience
• Strong command of case strategy, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation
• Plaintiff-side personal injury experience strongly preferred
• Active member in good standing of the California Bar
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-stakes matters
• Excellent courtroom, writing, communication, and client-management skills
• Ability to commute to the University City office every day

Required Skills

• Extensive first-chair civil trial experience
• Strong command of case strategy, discovery, depositions, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation
• Excellent courtroom, writing, communication, and client-management skills

Preferred Skills

• Plaintiff-side personal injury experience strongly preferred

Pay range and compensation package

Base salary of $300,000 to $500,000, depending on experience

• Additional bonus opportunities
• No traditional billable-hour requirement
• 100% employer-paid healthcare coverage for the employee
• 401(k) with a 5% employer match
• Meaningful work with a highly respected national litigation team

Equal Opportunity Statement

All inquiries will be handled confidentially. This is a fully in-office position and is not available on a remote or hybrid basis.