Trial Attorney

Crawford Thomas Recruiting; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Crawford Thomas Recruiting is seeking an experienced Trial Attorney to lead its litigation team in California. This high-impact role involves directing complex personal injury litigation, mentoring junior attorneys, and setting strategic direction on high-value cases.

Expect to oversee case progression from pleadings to verdict and to serve as first-chair trial counsel on top exposures. The ideal candidate will have a proven trial record, strong advocacy and negotiation skills, and aCommitment

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing.
• 5+ years of civil litigation experience, with significant personal injury experience preferred.
• Proven first-chair trial experience with cases tried to verdict.
• Extensive experience taking and defending expert witness and fact witness depositions.
• Strong courtroom advocacy and motion practice experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to mentor and develop attorneys.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex personal injury litigation from initial filing through trial and verdict.
• Serve as first-chair trial counsel on high-exposure cases.
• Develop litigation strategy and oversee case progression from pleadings through resolution.
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, corporate representatives, and expert witnesses.
• Draft and argue substantive motions, including dispositive and pretrial motions.
• Handle all phases of written discovery.
• Prepare cases for trial, including witness preparation, exhibits, motions in limine, and overall trial strategy.
• Mentor, coach, and supervise litigation attorneys and support staff.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performing litigation team while maintaining high standards of legal practice.

Skills

California Bar license

Civil litigation experience

First-chair trial experience

Deposition experience

Motion practice

Legal research & writing

Leadership experience

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Trial Attorney / Litigation Team Lead

Location: California

Compensation: $200,000-$300,000 base salary + performance bonus

A growing plaintiff-side litigation firm is seeking an experienced Trial Attorney to lead its litigation practice and mentor a team of attorneys. This is a high-impact leadership role for a skilled litigator who thrives in the courtroom and enjoys developing legal talent. Reporting directly to executive leadership, you will oversee complex personal injury litigation, provide strategic direction on high-value cases, and help shape the firm’s litigation standards and long-term growth.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with a proven trial record who is passionate about advocacy, leadership, and delivering exceptional results for clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage complex personal injury litigation from initial filing through trial and verdict.
• Serve as first-chair trial counsel on high-exposure cases.
• Develop litigation strategy and oversee case progression from pleadings through resolution.
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, corporate representatives, and expert witnesses.
• Draft and argue substantive motions, including dispositive and pretrial motions.
• Handle all phases of written discovery.
• Prepare cases for trial, including witness preparation, exhibits, motions in limine, and overall trial strategy.
• Mentor, coach, and supervise litigation attorneys and support staff.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performing litigation team while maintaining high standards of legal practice.

Qualifications

• Active California Bar license in good standing.
• 5+ years of civil litigation experience, with significant personal injury litigation experience preferred.
• Proven first-chair trial experience with cases tried to verdict.
• Extensive experience taking and defending expert witness and fact witness depositions.
• Strong courtroom advocacy and motion practice experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to mentor and develop attorneys.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex cases in a fast-paced environment.