Attorney/Lawyer
7 days ago
Walnut Creek
Job Description A growing civil litigation defense practice in Walnut Creek is seeking an Associate Attorney to join its team on a contract-to-hire basis. This role starts fully on-site in Walnut Creek during the training period, and then transitions to a hybrid role offering a schedule of 3 days onsite and 2 days remote and is open to both newly barred attorneys and more experienced litigators. The practice handles a variety of defense matters, including premises liability, transportation/trucking, products liability, construction defect, habitability, and general tort litigation. Attorneys are given the opportunity to take ownership of their cases, work directly with clients, and gain meaningful litigation experience in a collaborative environment with no formal billable hour requirement. Responsibilities • Manage cases from inception through resolution, including trial when applicable, • Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, and legal correspondence, • Conduct legal research and develop case strategy, • Attend hearings, depositions, mediations, and court appearances, • Communicate directly with clients, opposing counsel, experts, and witnesses, • Negotiate settlements and assist in resolving matters efficiently, • Maintain case files, track deadlines, and ensure timely case progression, • Collaborate with attorneys and staff to provide high-quality client service Qualifications • Active California Bar membership or recent California Bar admission, • Newly barred attorneys encouraged to apply, • Litigation experience through practice, clerkships, internships, or clinical programs preferred, • Experience with insurance defense, premises liability, trucking, products liability, habitability, construction defect, or general civil litigation is a plus, • Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, • Excellent communication and organizational abilities, • Ability to manage multiple matters in a fast-paced environment, • Self-starter with a desire to develop as a litigator, • Trial experience is a plus but not required