Construction Law Associate Attorney

Job Overview

A respected law firm located in Cerritos, California is seeking an Associate Attorney with 3–5 years of experience in construction law to join its litigation practice. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with construction contract claims (public and private), arbitration and trial preparation, and a deep understanding of related legal statutes and procedures. This is a strong opportunity for an attorney with solid litigation skills, strategic thinking, and a desire to grow within a specialized construction law practice.

Location

• Cerritos, California

Duties

• Handle public and private construction contract claims (excluding defect work)

• Prepare cases for arbitration and/or trial and participate in proceedings

• Conduct depositions of percipient and expert witnesses

• Draft and respond to written discovery

• Manage litigation strategy, with oversight, from initial pleadings through resolution

• Prepare motions, legal correspondence, and discovery plans

• Interface directly with clients and offer strategic and legal guidance

• Research and analyze laws relating to construction claims, including:

  • Mechanic’s liens

  • Stop notices

  • Prompt payment laws

  • Public contract and bid protest laws

  • Liquidated damages and delay claims

• Advise on contract extras, delay/impact damages, and performance/payment bond disputes

• Work on cases involving alternative project delivery methods

Requirements

• 3–5 years of construction law litigation experience

• Familiarity with arbitration proceedings and exposure to trial preparation

• Ability to manage litigation tasks with some supervision

• Professional client communication and presentation skills

• Willingness to take ownership of cases and lead strategic planning

• Strong follow-through, initiative, and attention to detail

Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Certifications

• Active license to practice law in the state of California

Skills

• Deep knowledge of construction contract law and related statutes

• Strong legal research and analytical abilities

• Litigation skills including motion drafting, discovery, and depositions

• Strategic thinking and case management

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Ability to collaborate with legal teams and interface with clients

Benefits

• Competitive compensation (commensurate with experience)

• Opportunity to work on high-level construction litigation cases

• Career growth within a specialized legal practice

• Collaborative and professional work environment

This California firm was founded in 1979 and focuses on employment, labor, construction, education, real estate, general business and business litigation, corporate, taxation, bankruptcy, and immigration. Committed to high-quality legal work, the highly experienced lawyers have won many cases on behalf of clients. The firm has received numerous awards and accolades for professional accomplishments and contributions to communities. The diverse team of attorneys has business and education backgrounds allowing for the combination of practical, useful advice with innovative legal strategies. Believing in diversity, the firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The attorneys actively support education and other non-profit organizations. The firm is committed to collegiality, teamwork, and openness with each other and with clients. The firm also provides numerous in-house training sessions and workshops on current legal matters.