Attorney

Confidential | Direct Hire

Associate Attorney | Civil Litigation Attorney | Insurance Defense Attorney

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Attorney to join our growing Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense practice. This opportunity is ideal for an attorney with 2+ years of experience in civil litigation, insurance defense, trucking and transportation defense, personal injury defense, employment litigation, or commercial litigation.

The successful candidate will manage a diverse caseload from inception through resolution, including case evaluation, legal research, discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediation, settlement negotiations, trial preparation, and court appearances. This position offers significant responsibility, direct client interaction, and opportunities for professional growth while representing employers, insurance carriers, transportation companies, and corporate clients in complex liability matters.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
• Insurance Defense
• Commercial Trucking & Transportation Defense
• Trucking Litigation
• Personal Injury Defense
• Employment Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Insurance Coverage Litigation
• Bad Faith Litigation
• Premises Liability Defense
• General Liability Defense
• Corporate Defense Litigation

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a litigation caseload from inception through trial, settlement, or alternative dispute resolution.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, briefs, memoranda, and legal opinions.
• Draft and respond to discovery requests, including interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, experts, medical providers, and corporate representatives.
• Prepare witnesses and clients for depositions, mediations, hearings, and trial.
• Appear in court for hearings, status conferences, motion arguments, arbitrations, and mediations.
• Analyze liability, damages, insurance coverage issues, and litigation risk exposure.
• Develop case strategy and provide recommendations to clients and insurance carriers.
• Negotiate settlements and participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
• Review medical records, employment records, accident reports, and expert reports.
• Collaborate with clients, claims professionals, experts, and legal support staff to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Maintain compliance with court rules, procedural deadlines, and litigation management requirements.
• Assist with trial preparation, including witness preparation, exhibit review, trial briefs, and courtroom strategy.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license and good standing with the applicable State Bar.
• Minimum of 2 years of litigation experience preferred.
• Experience in civil litigation, insurance defense, transportation defense, trucking litigation, employment law, or personal injury defense preferred.
• Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills.
• Experience conducting depositions, drafting motions, and managing discovery.
• Ability to independently manage multiple matters and deadlines.
• Strong oral advocacy and courtroom communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience handling insurance defense matters.
• Experience representing employers, insurance carriers, transportation companies, or corporate clients.
• Experience with mediation, arbitration, and settlement negotiations.
• Trial preparation or courtroom experience.
• Familiarity with liability, negligence, catastrophic injury, and commercial transportation claims.

Technology & Litigation Software Experience

Experience with the following is preferred:

• Case Management Software
• Document Management Systems
• E-Discovery Platforms
• Electronic Court Filing Systems (State and Federal)
• Westlaw
• LexisNexis
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desired Skills

• Civil Litigation Case Management
• Insurance Defense Litigation
• Trial Preparation
• Motion Practice
• Deposition Experience
• Legal Research and Writing
• Risk Assessment and Case Evaluation
• Negotiation and Settlement Strategy
• Client Relationship Management
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills
• Collaborative Teamwork and Leadership

PrideStaff South Orange County Mission Viejo works with local businesses to source, interview and recruit candidates for temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire staffing in the areas of office and administrative support, customer service, accounting, light industrial, skilled, and general labor. We serve the South Orange County cities of Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel and other coastal communities.