Commercial Litigation · 3–4 Years · California Bar Required
If you are a mid-level litigation associate at a massive national firm, you already know the bottleneck: you are three years in, highly capable, yet still buried under document review while partners handle the oral arguments and strategy. This role, positioned within a premier, California-founded business law firm, is designed for the associate who is ready to step out of the back room and into a lead execution role on sophisticated commercial disputes.
You will join a highly regarded, Chambers-ranked litigation team handling complex business disputes, real estate litigation, and high-stakes commercial matters. Because of the firm's lean staffing model, you will not just be drafting pleadings and managing discovery; you will be expected to take and defend depositions, argue motions in court, and actively prepare matters for trial and arbitration. The firm's entrepreneurial platform means you will have direct client contact early, managing cases with genuine autonomy under the mentorship of partners who actively transition relationships to the next generation.
This role is built for a 3rd or 4th-year litigation associate who has developed a strong foundational skill set in a sophisticated commercial practice. You should have a proven track record of drafting high-quality briefs and handling complex written discovery. While the core focus is business and commercial litigation, the firm welcomes candidates with strong, transferable skills from adjacent high-stakes practices (such as real estate or construction litigation) who want to pivot into a broader commercial desk. Exceptional academic credentials and active admission to the State Bar of California are required.
The firm strikes a rare balance in the California market: it commands the prestige and sophisticated deal flow of a top-tier regional powerhouse, but maintains a genuinely collaborative, transparent culture. They are known for long associate tenure because they actively invest in professional development rather than treating associates as fungible billable hours. The partnership track is clear, realistic, and merit-based.
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $250,000 to $285,000, dependent on relevant experience and qualifications. The firm offers a comprehensive, market-leading benefits package including premium medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with profit-sharing components; generous paid time off; parental leave; and dedicated financial support for ongoing professional development and bar associations.
If you are interested in exploring this platform without risking your current standing, let's have a preliminary conversation. Your identity and CV will remain completely confidential and will never be shared with this or any other firm without your explicit, advance permission.
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