Civil Litigation Attorney - General Liability & Construction Defense

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is seeking a Civil Litigation Associate with 3–5 years of experience to join a sophisticated and expanding litigation practice in Northern California . The attorney will handle a diverse caseload of complex civil defense matters, with a particular focus on general liability, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, premises liability, professional negligence, products liability, and construction litigation .

This is an excellent opportunity for a litigator seeking substantive responsibility across all stages of litigation, including depositions, dispositive motions, mediations, court appearances, and trial preparation .

Location: Northern California , including:

• San Francisco
• Oakland
• Marin County
• Silicon Valley

Mainly Remote - Must reside in California! Responsibilities

• Manage and assist with complex civil litigation matters from inception through trial.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, subpoenas, and other substantive litigation documents.
• Prepare and argue dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment .
• Take and defend depositions of parties, key witnesses, and expert witnesses.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda addressing substantive and procedural legal issues.
• Handle matters involving general liability , including:
  • Motor vehicle collisions
  • Trucking litigation
  • Premises liability
  • Workplace accidents
  • Professional negligence
  • Products liability
  • Catastrophic injury
  • Wrongful death
• Assist with construction litigation , including breach of contract disputes and property damage claims arising from construction and design defects.
• Work directly with insurance professionals, in-house clients, experts, third-party administrators, witnesses, and opposing counsel.
• Prepare clients and witnesses for depositions and trial.
• Attend and participate in mediations and settlement proceedings.
• Attend court hearings and argue motions.
• Participate in trial preparation and trial proceedings as appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with senior attorneys and partners on litigation strategy throughout the life of each matter.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of civil litigation experience.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar .
• Strong experience with written discovery, motion practice, and litigation strategy.
• Experience taking and/or defending depositions.
• Excellent legal research, writing, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple litigation matters and deadlines.
• Strong communication and client-service skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with senior attorneys and partners.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following is particularly valuable:

• General liability defense
• Insurance defense
• Catastrophic injury and wrongful death
• Premises liability
• Motor vehicle and trucking litigation
• Products liability
• Professional negligence
• Construction litigation
• Construction and design defect claims

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $158,000–$190,000 , depending on experience and qualifications.
• Annual performance-based bonuses.
• Discretionary and billable-hours bonus opportunities.
• Reasonable billable-hours requirement.
• Mainly remote work arrangement for California-based attorneys.
• Competitive health insurance benefits.
• 401(k) with partial employer match.
• Strong mentorship and professional development.
• Opportunities for meaningful deposition, courtroom, and trial experience.

Why This Opportunity

This position offers a strong combination of complex civil defense work and hands-on litigation experience . Associates have opportunities to take depositions, argue motions, participate in mediations, work directly with clients and experts, and gain meaningful trial exposure while handling sophisticated general liability and construction matters.

Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier legal employers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.