Family Law Associate Attorney $150,000-$160,000

Job Description

ONLY 1,500 ANNUAL BILLABLE HOURS - GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

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Full-Time | Flexible Schedule | 20 Days Paid Vacation

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Livingstone Law, a San Diego family law firm with an excellent reputation, is seeking an experienced Family

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Law Associate Attorney to join our team. We offer something increasingly difficult to find in private practice: competitive compensation, sophisticated family law work, meaningful courtroom experience, a reasonable annual billable expectation of 1,500 hours, and a law office dedicated to you as you are to the office.

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We are looking for the right dedicated individual to be on a partnership track over a 2–5-year period and grow with the firm over the long term.

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We believe excellent lawyers need time to think, prepare, communicate with their clients, and have a life outside the office. Our attorneys are expected to produce excellent results—but we do not believe excessive billable-hour requirements produce better lawyers or better outcomes for clients.

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This position is ideal for an attorney with approximately 3–12 years of family law experience who can independently handle client meetings, discovery, motions, evidentiary hearings, and 1st chair trials. and who wants to continue taking on greater responsibility for complex litigation.

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QUALITY OVER VOLUME

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Our annual billable requirement is approximately 1,500 hours—or an average of 125 billable hours per month.

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We intentionally maintain a reasonable expectation of billability.

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We want our attorneys to have the time to:

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·        Think strategically about their cases;

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·        Prepare thoroughly for hearings and trials;

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·        Produce excellent written work;

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·        Communicate meaningfully with their clients;

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·        Develop as advocates and trial attorneys; and

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·        Maintain a sustainable professional and personal life.

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Performance at Livingstone Law is measured by much more than the number of hours recorded. We value quality of work, client relationships, judgment, efficiency, organization, courtroom performance, professionalism, teamwork, and results.

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We want excellent lawyers—not simply more billable hours.

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EXCEPTIONAL CLIENT RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

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The most important skill we are looking for is the ability to develop and maintain excellent client relationships. From the initial consultation through settlement or the last day of trial, our attorneys must be able to earn and maintain their clients’ confidence and respect. You should be personable and polished, an excellent communicator, and comfortable managing client expectations. You must be able to listen carefully, explain complicated legal issues clearly, deliver difficult advice when necessary, and help clients make sound decisions during stressful circumstances.

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Excellent client management is just as important to us as excellent legal work.

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CRAFTSMANSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

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We value craftsmanship and excellence in the practice of law.

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A successful applicant will have excellent attention to detail, be organized, prepare thoroughly, and take true pride in their work. We are looking for an attorney who cares about the quality of the work carrying their name—not someone interested simply in moving files. You should be a strong legal writer and researcher and have experience preparing family law pleadings, declarations, discovery, Requests for Order, memoranda of points and authorities, settlement documents, and other substantive legal work.

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THE POSITION

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Depending upon experience, the Associate Attorney will have responsibility for:

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·        Client consultations and ongoing client management;

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·        Developing case strategy with senior attorneys;

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·        Preparing and responding to discovery;

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·        Requests for Order and other family law motions;

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·        Legal research and writing;

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·        Taking and defending depositions;

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·        Preparing witnesses and exhibits;

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·        Settlement negotiations and conferences;

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·        Evidentiary hearings;

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·        Trial preparation;

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·        Trials and other contested proceedings; and

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·        Post-judgment family law matters.

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Our practice includes matters involving child custody, child and spousal support, property characterization and division, domestic violence, high-asset dissolution, business interests, separate property and tracing claims, and other complex family law issues.

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OUR FIRM CULTURE

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We are a close-knit office and are selective about the people we invite to join our firm.

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Good interpersonal skills are important because we value our working relationships. We hire collaborative, thoughtful individuals who work well with their colleagues.

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We are a friendly group. Our employees are treated well, and we expect everyone in the firm to treat one another with professionalism, respect, and kindness.

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COMPENSATION

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Base Salary: $150,000–$160,000 , depending upon experience and demonstrated ability.

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The position also offers a productivity bonus opportunity in addition to base salary.

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Compensation within the range will depend on factors including family law experience, client management ability, legal writing, courtroom experience, independence, litigation skills, and trial experience.

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Exceptional performance and increasing independence are rewarded through both additional compensation and increased responsibility.

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BENEFITS

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Livingstone Law offers:

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·         Only 1,500 annual billable hours

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·         Productivity bonus opportunity

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·        401(k) with firm matching

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·        Health insurance

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·        Dental insurance

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·        Vision insurance

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·        Flexible schedule

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·        20 days paid vacation

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·        Paid sick leave in accordance with California law

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·        8 paid holidays

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·        California State Bar dues paid

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·        Reasonable CLE expenses paid

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·        Professional development and mentorship

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·        Meaningful courtroom and trial opportunities

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QUALIFICATIONS

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Applicants must:

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·        Have meaningful California family law experience;

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·        Have excellent client relationship and communication skills;

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·        Possess strong legal research and writing skills;

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·        Have excellent attention to detail;

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·        Be organized and capable of managing deadlines and competing priorities;

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·        Have experience with family law motions and evidentiary hearings;

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·        Demonstrate sound professional judgment;

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·        Work well as part of a collaborative legal team; and

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·        Take pride in producing excellent legal work.

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3–12 years of family law experience is preferred , although we are more interested in demonstrated ability than a specific number of years in practice.

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HOW TO APPLY

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Please submit:

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·        Your résumé;

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·        A brief description of your family law experience; and

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·        A redacted substantive writing sample that you personally drafted.

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We understand that many excellent attorneys considering a career change are currently employed. All applications and inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

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NO RECRUITERS OR UNSOLICITED AGENCY SUBMISSIONS.

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Livingstone Law is an equal opportunity employer.