Assistant Managing Attorney

Job ID: 9007

Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Location: San Francisco, CA, United States

Category: Litigation Services

Apply Now

Share:

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don't just meet the standard for legal excellence - we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 24 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers' commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

The right candidate for this role is someone with a J.D. who is genuinely interested in how litigation works procedurally-court rules, deadlines, filing requirements, e-filing, docketing, calendaring, discovery mechanics, motion procedures, and judge-specific practices.

The successful candidate may be a practicing litigation attorney, but current law practice is not required. We are also interested in J.D.s who have developed relevant experience in areas such as a Managing Attorney's Office, litigation support, court operations, docketing, e-filing, procedural research, or litigation case management.

More important than following a traditional associate path is an interest in becoming a go-to procedural resource for sophisticated litigation teams. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, comfortable navigating court systems and rules, and able to translate procedural requirements into practical guidance for lawyers handling complex matters.

The role will have a particular focus on California state and federal court practice, with the expectation that the successful candidate will develop deep expertise in California procedure over time. At the same time, this is a firmwide Managing Attorney's Office role, and the candidate will support litigation teams on procedural and court-practice issues in jurisdictions across the country.

We are seeking a J.D. to join the Managing Attorney's Office (MAO) as an Assistant Managing Attorney with a focus on California practice.

The Assistant Managing Attorney will work closely with litigation teams and senior members of the Managing Attorney's Office on procedural strategy, discovery planning, motion practice, court filings, calendaring, case management, and other litigation-procedure issues across the firm.

Although California will be a significant area of responsibility, the role is intentionally broader. The Assistant Managing Attorney will support litigation teams firmwide, respond to procedural questions in state and federal courts across jurisdictions, and contribute to the broader work of the Managing Attorney's Office.

Over time, the attorney is expected to develop particular depth in California practice while also building broad expertise in federal and state court procedure nationally.

This is not necessarily a traditional practicing attorney role. It is well suited both to litigators who are particularly drawn to procedure and court practice and to J.D.s whose experience has centered on litigation operations, docketing, court filings, procedural research, or related functions.

What You'll Do

Firmwide Litigation Procedure & Case Support

• Support litigation teams across the firm on procedural issues arising in state and federal courts.
• Research and analyze federal, state, local, and judge-specific procedural requirements.
• Assist case teams in developing procedural strategies, litigation timelines, and case-management plans.
• Advise on filing requirements, service, deadlines, briefing schedules, hearings, discovery procedures, and other court-practice issues.
• Serve as a resource to partners and associates on procedural questions throughout the life of a matter.
• Work with senior members of the Managing Attorney's Office on complex or novel procedural issues across jurisdictions.

California Practice

• Develop deep expertise in California state and federal court practice.
• Advise litigation teams regarding the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, local rules, standing orders, and judge-specific practices.
• Support California matters involving pleadings, discovery, motion practice, hearings, trial preparation, and case management.
• Monitor developments in California procedure and court practice and communicate relevant changes to litigation teams and the Managing Attorney's Office.
• Develop practical internal guidance, checklists, and resources relating to California litigation.

Court Filings, E-Filing & Docketing

• Assist with the preparation, procedural review, and filing of pleadings, motions, applications, and other court submissions.
• Navigate and develop expertise in electronic filing systems and court-specific filing procedures.
• Review filings for compliance with procedural, formatting, filing, and service requirements.
• Work closely with docketing and calendaring professionals to identify, calculate, and track litigation deadlines.
• Assist with questions involving filing mechanics, hearing reservations, service requirements, chambers procedures, and other court-specific practices.
• Troubleshoot filing and procedural issues as they arise.

Discovery & Motion Practice

• Assist case teams with procedural issues involving written discovery, depositions, subpoenas, expert discovery, and discovery motion practice.
• Support the calculation and management of discovery deadlines and procedural requirements.
• Advise on procedural aspects of motion practice, including dispositive motions, discovery motions, emergency applications, TROs, preliminary injunctions, and other applications.
• Assist with briefing schedules, notice periods, filing requirements, and hearing procedures.

Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Assist case teams with procedural matters before JAMS, the American Arbitration Association, and other arbitration forums.
• Advise regarding filing requirements, scheduling, discovery procedures, hearing logistics, and provider rules.
• Support procedural planning throughout arbitration proceedings.

Internal Litigation Resource

• Help develop and maintain firmwide guidance concerning litigation procedure and court practice.
• Prepare checklists, procedural guides, and other practical resources for litigation teams.
• Respond to procedural questions from partners, associates, and professional staff.
• Assist with training attorneys and staff regarding court rules, filing procedures, litigation deadlines, and changes in practice.
• Contribute to broader Managing Attorney's Office initiatives, including improvements to docketing, court information, litigation workflows, and procedural knowledge management.

What You'll Bring

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Approximately 1-5 years of relevant experience in litigation, a Managing Attorney's Office, litigation operations, docketing, court services, or a comparable legal environment.
• Current litigation practice is not required.
• California Bar admission, eligibility for admission, or meaningful familiarity with California litigation practice is preferred.
• Strong interest in litigation procedure, court practice, and case management.
• Familiarity with electronic court filing systems, docketing, calendaring, and litigation deadlines.
• Experience working with court rules, local rules, standing orders, or judge-specific practices.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, jurisdictions, and procedural questions simultaneously.
• Strong judgment and an ability to communicate practical procedural guidance clearly to attorneys and professional staff.
• Intellectual curiosity and an interest in developing expertise across multiple jurisdictions.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is particularly valuable:

• California state or federal court litigation.
• Federal court litigation.
• A law firm Managing Attorney's Office or Managing Clerk's Office.
• Litigation docketing and calendaring.
• Electronic court filing and filing procedures.
• Court rules, standing orders, and judge-specific practices.
• Litigation support or litigation operations.
• Discovery and motion practice.
• Arbitration proceedings.
• Procedural research and development of litigation guidance or practice resources.

Candidates do not need to fit a traditional litigation-associate profile. We are particularly interested in individuals who enjoy the procedural and operational side of litigation and want to build a career around becoming an expert in court practice and litigation procedure.

Role Structure

This position follows a non-partner-track attorney career path focused on litigation procedure, court practice, and litigation operations.

The Assistant Managing Attorney will be part of the firmwide Managing Attorney's Office and will work across matters, offices, and jurisdictions. The role is designed to provide broad exposure to sophisticated litigation while allowing the successful candidate to develop an area of particular expertise in California practice.

Over time, the expectation is that the Assistant Managing Attorney will become a principal internal resource on California procedure while continuing to contribute to the Managing Attorney's Office's broader firmwide responsibilities

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in the Bay Area. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Bay Area: $203,000 - $291,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Firm will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records and criminal histories consistent with local laws.

All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #LI-Hybrid #LI-LC1

Apply Now