Federal Litigation Attorney

Federal Litigation Attorney

Strategic Legal Practices is one of California's largest litigation firms, representing clients in consumer protection and civil litigation matters statewide in both state and federal court. Led by one of the most accomplished Lemon Law and Consumer Fraud litigators in California, our firm has helped thousands of clients against car manufacturers with an unmatched success rate. We are based in Los Angeles and practice throughout California.

SLP is seeking a full-time associate attorney with 3–5 years of experience to join our rapidly expanding team. This role focuses on federal court litigation and requires active admission to at least one of the four California federal district courts (C.D. Cal., N.D. Cal., E.D. Cal., or S.D. Cal.). Candidates must have a solid foundation in state and federal litigation, including law and motion work and first or second chair trial experience. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Lemon Law experience is a plus.

We offer attorneys the opportunity to litigate cases, appear in hearings, take and defend depositions, and try cases in state and federal court. We are invested in your growth and committed to making this the best place to work.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• File and litigate cases in California federal district courts in compliance with the FRCP, local rules, and via CM/ECF (PACER)
• Draft pleadings, motions, and briefs for state and federal court
• Conduct case assessments, investigations, and independent legal research
• Propound and respond to discovery; review and analyze pertinent documents
• Take and defend depositions; attend court appearances
• Pre-trial preparation and trial participation
• Negotiate settlements and meet all calendar deadlines
• Communicate effectively with clients
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Strong ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines with high attention to detail and self-accountability
• Works efficiently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Excellent analytical, writing, research, and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, CM/ECF (PACER), document management, and time-keeping software
• Familiarity with local rules of at least one California federal district court

License/Certification and Experience:

• CA State Bar, in good standing (required)
• Active admission to at least one California federal district court – C.D. Cal., N.D. Cal., E.D. Cal., or S.D. Cal. (required)
• 3–5 years of litigation experience; federal court experience strongly preferred
• Lemon Law or consumer protection experience (a plus)

Position Details:

• Type: Full-time
• Location: Remote – anywhere in the US but CA preferred
• Salary: $120k-$200k

Federal Litigation Requirements:

Core Litigation Experience:

• Admitted to at least one U.S. District Court (California districts preferred)
• Hands-on experience litigating cases in federal court (not just admission)
• Experience handling cases from filing through resolution in federal court
• Comfortable operating under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP)

Pleadings and Motion Practice:

• Drafting and arguing:
• Motions to dismiss (Rule 12(b)(6))
• Motions for summary judgment (Rule 56)
• Motions to compel and discovery-related motions
• Experience responding to complex federal motions (not just drafting complaints)
• Strong legal writing with federal briefing standards

Discovery in Federal Court:

• Managing discovery under federal rules:
• Initial disclosures
• Interrogatories, RFAs, RFPs
• Experience with:
• ESI and document production
• Meet and confer requirements
• Protective orders
• Familiarity with federal discovery timelines and proportionality standards

Court Procedure and Case Management:

• Experience with:
• Rule 26(f) conferences
• Joint scheduling reports
• Case management conferences
• Comfortable navigating federal judges' standing orders and local rules
• Experience filing and managing cases in CM/ECF

Depositions and Trial Prep:

• Taking and defending depositions in federal cases
• Preparing witnesses for federal depositions
• Experience preparing pretrial documents:
• Witness lists
• Exhibit lists
• Motions in limine
• Trial experience in federal court is a strong plus

Hearings and Court Appearances:

• Argued motions in federal court (not just state court)
• Comfortable appearing before federal judges and magistrates
• Experience with evidentiary hearings preferred