Governmental Entity Liability Associate (Southern California)

This associate role sits inside a well-established, full-service civil litigation defense practice representing cities, municipalities, and law enforcement officers in excessive force and public entity liability matters. The firm is actively growing this team and looking to bring on one to three associates who want real courtroom time, direct client contact, and mentorship built into their day-to-day, not as an afterthought.

The ideal candidate has two to fifteen years of civil litigation defense experience, comfort taking and defending depositions, and a working knowledge of written discovery and law and motion practice. Experience representing governmental entities or police is a strong plus. This is not a document-review seat; you will be in the room with clients and, when the time comes, in the courtroom.

Key Responsibilities

1. Represent public entities and law enforcement officers in excessive force and governmental liability matters across all phases of litigation
2. Manage discovery end to end, including propounding and responding to written discovery and taking and defending depositions
3. Draft and argue motions, file demurrers and answers, and execute litigation strategy in coordination with lead attorneys
4. Conduct case evaluations and prepare client status reports for cities and municipalities in compliance with their case management requirements
5. Handle plaintiff depositions and support trial preparation from initial complaint through verdict
6. Maintain a 1,920 annual billable hours requirement while managing an active caseload across Southern California offices

Required Skills & Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• Active California State Bar membership in good standing
• 2 to 15 years of civil litigation defense experience, ideally representing public entities
• Deposition experience, both taking and defending
• Hands-on written discovery and law and motion practice
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with comfort in direct client-facing reporting
• Ability and willingness to work from Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, or Inland Empire on a hybrid schedule
• Willingness to handle excessive force and sensitive police liability matters
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience representing governmental entities, police departments, or municipalities
• Background in criminal defense litigation
• Prior law enforcement or military experience
• Comfort operating in a collaborative, team-based litigation environment rather than as a solo practitioner