Associate Attorney Defense Civil Litigation

Job Overview: A distinguished law firm in San Diego is seeking an Associate Attorney with 0-7 years of experience to join its defense civil litigation team, focusing on healthcare and personal injury cases. This position offers an excellent opportunity for growth within a collaborative and fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will handle various legal tasks, including legal research, case management, client communication, and litigation strategy development. The firm provides strong mentorship, with the opportunity for autonomy in case handling.

Duties:

• Litigation and Case Management:

  • Review and analyze new and ongoing cases to provide effective legal representation.
  • Handle depositions, court appearances, and settlement conferences.
  • Draft legal documents and route them through appropriate channels for final processing.
  • Perform legal research using available resources, including digital and library systems.
  • Attend hearings, depositions, and client meetings to represent the firm’s clients.

• Client and Carrier Communication:

  • Advise and update clients and insurance carriers on the status of their cases.
  • Formulate and issue well-founded legal opinions to clients.
  • Engage in negotiations when appropriate to resolve disputes.

• Billing and Administrative Responsibilities:

  • Submit timesheets daily and meet monthly billing targets (minimum 167 billable hours).
  • Review and approve billing statements for assigned cases.
  • Assist in the collection of receivables on assigned matters.

• Professional Development:

  • Participate in marketing efforts and contribute to client development.
  • Work collaboratively in a team environment, while quickly achieving autonomy in case management.

Requirements:

• 0-7 years of experience in civil litigation, with a preference for defense experience in healthcare or personal injury.
• Must be a licensed attorney in good standing with the California State Bar.

Education:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Certifications:

• Active membership in the California State Bar.
• Must maintain all required Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits annually.

Skills:

• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication abilities, both verbal and written, with an ability to convey complex legal information clearly.
• Ability to work independently on multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with clients, colleagues, and legal staff.
• Experience with case management software and electronic legal research tools.

This primarily healthcare defense firm also practices in areas of law such as, Real Estate, Bad Faith, Elder Abuse, Insurance Coverage and much more. This law firm was established over five decades ago and currently has nearly four offices all across sunny California. There are more than twenty attorneys employed at this firm.