Attorney, Liability Defense Location: Offices throughout CA
Job Description:We are seeking an experienced Liability Defense Attorney to join our litigation team, with a particular interest in candidates who have experience defending claims involving restaurants, food service businesses, hospitality, or related industries.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil litigation and insurance defense, with the ability to independently manage a diverse caseload, develop effective defense strategies, and provide excellent client service. Experience handling restaurant or food-service claims is highly preferred, but candidates with strong general liability defense experience are encouraged to apply.
This role requires strong analytical and legal writing skills, sound judgment, proactive case management, and the ability to effectively communicate with clients, claims professionals, opposing counsel, experts, and the courts.
PRACTICE AREAS: General Liability, Premises Liability, Food Service/Restaurant Claims, Professional Liability, Auto Liability
Responsibilities:- Independently manage a caseload of civil litigation and insurance defense matters from inception through resolution.
- Defend claims involving restaurants, food service establishments, hospitality businesses, and other commercial clients.
- Analyze legal and factual issues and develop effective defense strategies based on the circumstances of each case.
- Evaluate liability, damages, causation, exposure, and settlement considerations and provide strategic recommendations to clients and claims representatives.
- Draft and prepare pleadings, discovery, motions, briefs, mediation statements, and other legal documents.
- Prepare for and conduct depositions of plaintiffs, defendants, employees, witnesses, experts, and other parties.
- Review and analyze medical records, incident reports, photographs, surveillance footage, employment records, and other relevant documentation.
- Work with experts and other professionals as necessary to develop and support defense strategies.
- Provide timely legal advice, case evaluations, status updates, and recommendations to clients, adjusters, and claims representatives.
- Maintain strong and proactive relationships with clients and insurance representatives throughout the life of each matter.
- Communicate and negotiate effectively with opposing counsel, co-counsel, experts, witnesses, and other parties.
- Make court appearances and represent clients at hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and other legal proceedings.
- Prepare cases for trial and assist with the presentation of witnesses, evidence, and legal arguments.
- Take ownership of the prompt, efficient, and effective resolution of assigned matters.
- Accurately record billable hours and tasks in accordance with firm and client billing requirements.
Qualifications:- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-approved law school.
- Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
- 5+ years of civil litigation and/or insurance defense experience.
- Experience defending restaurant, food service, hospitality, or related commercial claims is strongly preferred.
- Experience handling general liability and premises liability matters.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage a litigation caseload.
- Strong legal research, writing, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
- Strong analytical abilities and exceptional attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively evaluate liability, damages, and overall case exposure.
- Strong client relationship and case management skills.
- Ability to manage competing deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced litigation environment.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys, clients, claims professionals, and support staff.
- Must be able to appear in court and attend hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and other legal proceedings both in person and virtually.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal technology/software.
- Highly responsive, organized, and professional in all communications.
- Ability to travel between offices, courts, client meetings, depositions, and other legal settings as needed.
Compensation: DOE, Range: $150k-$220k plus bonuses and benefits.
Location: On-site/hybrid/remote in California, with San Diego, Long Beach, Corona, San Francisco, Los Gatos, and Costa Mesa Offices