Complex Litigation Defense Attorney (California)

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

This is a full-time attorney role on the Complex Litigation team of a well-established and actively growing California civil defense firm. The team handles high-exposure personal injury matters including transportation, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases, and is expanding across four California offices. You will work alongside seasoned ABOTA trial attorneys, taking real ownership of your caseload from discovery through trial, mediation, and arbitration.

The ideal candidate has two to seven years of civil litigation defense experience, holds an active California Bar membership in good standing, and is comfortable managing a fast-moving caseload independently. You bring solid deposition and discovery skills, a self-starter mindset, and genuine interest in developing as a trial litigator. Experience with trucking, auto, or catastrophic injury cases is a plus, but not required to be a strong fit.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage a caseload of complex personal injury defense matters including automotive, trucking, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death claims
2. Propound and respond to written discovery across all phases of litigation
3. Take and defend depositions independently
4. Attend court hearings and develop litigation strategy for each matter
5. Participate in mediation, arbitration, and trial preparation alongside experienced trial attorneys
6. Maintain proactive and professional client communication throughout the life of each case
7. Collaborate with partners and senior associates on high-exposure matters requiring coordinated litigation strategy

Required Skills & Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active California State Bar membership in good standing
• 2 to 7 years of civil litigation defense experience, with personal injury or complex tort background preferred
• Hands-on experience propounding and responding to written discovery
• Experience taking and defending depositions independently
• Ability to manage a caseload in a fast-paced environment with minimal oversight
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
• Based in or able to commute to Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, San Francisco, or San Diego; available for hybrid schedule of two days per week in office

Preferred Skills

• Experience with high-exposure catastrophic injury, trucking, or automotive cases
• Participation in trial, mediation, or arbitration proceedings
• Court hearing appearances and motion practice experience