Construction Litigation Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Construction Litigation Associate

Location: Irvine, California

Practice Area: Construction / Surety / Commercial Litigation

About the Firm

We are a nationally recognized construction, surety, and commercial litigation boutique—ranked by Chambers USA, Legal 500, and Best Lawyers for excellence in construction law. Our Irvine office is part of a collaborative, high-performance team that handles complex disputes across the the U.S. and abroad.

At our firm, you’ll have the opportunity to take on substantive responsibility early, contribute to key decisions, and work in an environment defined by passion, expertise, and a resolve to win for clients.

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated, analytically sharp Construction Litigation Associate to join our Irvine team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about construction law, eager to dive into complex disputes, and ready to grow within a highly regarded practice. You will support and lead litigation from inception through trial, working on cases involving general contractors, subcontractors, owners, sureties, lenders, and design professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of litigation: strategy, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, depositions, and trial preparation
• Draft and respond to complex motions, briefs, expert reports, and technical pleadings
• Analyze contracts, change orders, schedule variances, and cost impacts
• Coordinate with engineers, schedulers, and other technical experts
• Perform legal research on construction, indemnity, bonds, negligence, delay, and related issues
• Mentor junior attorneys and supervise paralegals
• Participate in business development: proposal writing, client meetings, and conferences
• Stay current on developments in construction law, surety law, and related public contract statutes

Qualifications & Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Member in good standing of the California Bar
• 3+ to 7+ years of litigation experience (construction-related experience strongly preferred)
• Proven track record in drafting motions, managing discovery, handling depositions, and working with experts
• Strong technical aptitude (understanding of construction documents, delay analysis, cost accounting)
• Excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines
• Client-service mindset, high professionalism, and commitment to teamwork

Why Join Us?

• High-impact work — You won’t be stuck doing menial tasks; you’ll get meaningful responsibility from day one.
• Mentorship + autonomy — You’ll learn from seasoned construction litigators and have space to lead.
• Strong reputation & network — Work on high-stakes cases with national reach and visibility in the construction bar.
• Collaborative culture — A collegial, open environment where ideas are valued and initiatives are welcomed.
• Competitive compensation & benefits — You’ll receive a market-leading salary, bonus potential, health benefits, and support for CLEs and professional development.
• Location benefits — Based in Irvine, with excellent access to Southern California’s legal, engineering, and construction sectors.

How to Apply

Please submit:

1. A cover letter (why this practice, why this firm)
2. Your résumé / CV
3. A writing sample (e.g. motion, brief, or legal memo)

All applications will be reviewed confidentially.