Premises Liability Mid-Level to Senior Associate (Southern California)

This is a full-time associate role on a premises liability defense team at a well-established, full-service national litigation firm with more than 170 attorneys across multiple offices. The firm handles everything from big box store slip-and-falls to complex corporate premises claims, and they are actively looking to add two to five attorneys across their Southern California offices. This is a genuine litigation seat, not a document review role: you will take depositions, appear in court, participate in site inspections, and report directly to clients and carriers from day one.

The ideal candidate has five or more years of civil litigation defense experience with a clear focus on premises liability, a strong deposition track record (ideally 20 or more depositions taken and defended), and the ability to independently carry a full caseload from initial complaint through resolution. This firm is a strong fit for someone who wants real trial exposure and mentorship from ABOTA-credentialed attorneys, and who is not expecting BigLaw compensation structures.

Key Responsibilities

1. Take and defend depositions across a caseload of premises liability matters, targeting 20-plus depositions of meaningful depth
2. Attend court hearings, participate in site inspections, and represent clients at key litigation milestones
3. Draft and respond to written discovery including interrogatories, document requests, and requests for admissions
4. Handle cases end-to-end: initial evaluation, filing strategy (demurrers and answers), discovery, law and motion, and trial preparation
5. Prepare and file law and motion work including demurrers and motions for summary judgment
6. Write status reports and case evaluations and communicate proactively with clients and insurance carriers
7. Develop and execute litigation strategy in close coordination with supervising partners, keeping client objectives front and center

Required Skills & Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree
• Active California State Bar membership in good standing
• 5 to 15 years of civil litigation defense experience with demonstrated premises liability work
• Significant deposition experience, taking and defending; 20-plus depositions strongly preferred
• Experience handling cases from initial complaint through discovery, law and motion, and trial preparation
• Proficiency in written discovery drafting: interrogatories, document requests, and requests for admissions
• Law and motion experience including demurrers and motions for summary judgment
• Ability to independently manage a full caseload and meet approximately 1,920 billable hours annually
• Located in or willing to work from Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange County, or San Diego) on a hybrid basis
• Comfortable with the $135,000 to $185,000 base salary range

Preferred Skills

• Experience with client communication, carrier status reports, and formal case evaluations
• Familiarity with big box retail, corporate, or governmental entity premises cases
• Comfort working across multiple practice area teams within a large defense firm