Litigation Attorney (Personal Injury) - Irvine (Hybrid)

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Litigation Attorney to join a growing plaintiff-side litigation firm in Irvine . This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 2–3 years of civil litigation experience who is looking to take ownership of meaningful cases involving personal injury, elder abuse, and employment law matters.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on litigation experience, including depositions, motion practice, discovery, and client interaction. This role offers significant responsibility, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on serious injury and high-exposure cases.

Responsibilities:

• Draft complaints, demand letters, discovery requests, and discovery responses
• Handle all aspects of law and motion practice, including drafting, opposing, and arguing motions
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, treating physicians, and experts
• Prepare clients, witnesses, and experts for depositions and trial
• Work closely with medical, economic, life care planning, biomechanical, and accident reconstruction experts
• Review and analyze medical records, imaging, and provider reports
• Develop and execute litigation strategy in collaboration with senior attorneys
• Attend hearings, mediations, settlement conferences, and case management conferences
• Maintain regular communication with clients, opposing counsel, experts, and internal team members

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active California Bar license in good standing
• 2–3 years of civil litigation experience (plaintiff-side experience preferred)
• Experience taking and defending depositions
• Strong law and motion experience in California state court; federal court experience is a plus
• Ability to independently manage a litigation caseload
• Strong legal writing, oral advocacy, and organizational skills
• Experience reviewing and working with medical records and injury-related documentation

Preferred Experience:

• Personal injury, elder abuse, medical malpractice, employment law, or general liability litigation
• Catastrophic injury, traumatic brain injury, wrongful death, or serious injury cases
• Trial experience as first or second chair
• Experience handling expert-intensive, high-value cases
• Familiarity with California state and federal court procedures, local rules, and e-filing systems

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience (DOE)
• Medical insurance
• 401(k) with 4% fully vested safe harbor match
• 12 paid holidays
• 10 days PTO and 6 sick days annually
• Continuing education and training budget
• Regular firm-sponsored events