Commercial Litigation Associate

Commercial Litigation Associate

$260000 - $300000 per year | San Diego, CA | Hybrid | Permanent

AmLaw platform | Sophisticated Commercial Litigation | Complex business disputes, trial exposure & meaningful responsibility

A bit about us:

We are a highly respected AmLaw firm with a sophisticated Commercial Litigation practice representing businesses and organizations in complex, high-stakes disputes throughout the country.

Our attorneys handle a broad range of business disputes in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration and other dispute-resolution forums. The practice focuses on sophisticated commercial matters where litigation strategy must be closely aligned with the client's broader business objectives.

The team represents clients in disputes involving contracts, business relationships, corporate governance, fiduciary duties, partnerships, financial matters, and other complex commercial issues. Attorneys are involved throughout the lifecycle of a dispute, from early case assessment and discovery through motion practice, negotiations, arbitration, and trial.

The practice is led by experienced trial lawyers who remain closely involved in their matters while giving associates meaningful opportunities to contribute. Teams are intentionally structured to provide the right level of experience and efficiency for each matter, creating an environment where associates can gain substantive experience and develop as advocates.

The approach is both aggressive and business-minded. The goal is not simply to litigate for the sake of litigating, but to understand the client's commercial objectives and develop a strategy designed to achieve the most effective resolution.

This is an opportunity for a commercial litigator to work on sophisticated business disputes alongside experienced practitioners while taking on meaningful responsibility and continuing to develop strong litigation and advocacy skills.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to work alongside experienced commercial litigators and trial lawyers on sophisticated matters in federal and state courts, arbitration proceedings, and other forums. Associates will have meaningful exposure to all phases of litigation and the opportunity to take increasing ownership of substantive casework.

Key Responsibilities

Handle complex commercial and business litigation matters in federal and state courts

Conduct legal research and draft motions, briefs, memoranda, and other substantive legal documents

Draft and respond to complaints, answers, counterclaims, and other pleadings

Draft and respond to written discovery

Manage discovery disputes and related motion practice

Handle fact and expert discovery, including developing and implementing e-discovery strategies

Take and defend depositions

Assist with case strategy, witness preparation, and trial preparation

Analyze complex factual and legal issues and develop practical litigation strategies

Communicate with clients and work directly with partners on significant matters

Participate in settlement negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and other dispute-resolution proceedings

Manage individual matters and assignments with increasing independence

Balance multiple matters, deadlines, and competing priorities

Qualifications

3–6 years of general commercial litigation experience

J.D. from an accredited law school

Strong academic credentials

Experience handling sophisticated business or commercial disputes

Strong legal research and writing skills

Experience with pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and depositions

Excellent analytical and oral advocacy skills

Strong client-service and communication abilities

Ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Strong judgment and attention to detail

Active bar admission in the jurisdiction associated with the candidate's office

Preferred Experience

Experience at an AmLaw or nationally recognized law firm

Federal court litigation experience

Experience taking and defending depositions

Significant discovery experience

Complex business disputes

Contract and business tort litigation

Partnership or shareholder disputes

Fiduciary duty matters

Corporate or financial disputes

Arbitration or mediation experience

Judicial clerkship experience

Job Details

Sophisticated commercial litigation

Work on complex business disputes involving sophisticated companies and significant commercial interests. The practice goes well beyond routine litigation and focuses on matters that require thoughtful strategy and strong advocacy.

Meaningful responsibility

Associates have the opportunity to take ownership of substantive pieces of cases, rather than being limited to research and document review. As experience grows, so does responsibility.

Work directly with experienced litigators

The team is led by accomplished trial lawyers who remain actively involved in their matters. Associates have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced practitioners and see how complex cases are developed and managed.

Real litigation experience

Gain hands-on experience with pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, negotiations, arbitration, and trial preparation. The goal is to develop well-rounded commercial litigators.

Business-focused advocacy

The practice recognizes that litigation is ultimately about the client's business. Attorneys consider the commercial consequences of a dispute and develop strategies designed to achieve practical, effective outcomes.

Lean, collaborative teams

Matter teams are intentionally structured around the needs of each case, allowing associates to work closely with partners and take an active role in the litigation.

Sophisticated clients and challenging matters

Represent businesses and organizations in disputes where the legal and commercial stakes are significant, providing exposure to sophisticated clients and complex factual and legal issues.

National platform

Work within an AmLaw platform with the resources and capabilities to handle significant disputes across jurisdictions while maintaining a collaborative approach to individual matters.

Build your litigation career

For attorneys looking to become stronger commercial litigators, the practice provides opportunities to develop legal judgment, advocacy skills, client relationships, and courtroom experience over time.

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

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