Associate - Trial & Defense

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Clyde & Co is seeking an associate with 1 to 5 years of strong litigation experience to join our California team. The practice encompasses general liability, product liability, premises liability, and catastrophic injury cases, with this role collaborating closely with our Aviation practice group. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience taking and defending depositions, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing and arguing motions, and preparing pre‑trial documents.

The associate must be proactive, motivated and organized, and possess excellent research and writing skills. The associate will be expected to interact with opposing counsel and clients in a positive and professional manner.

• Manage a caseload of 10–20 matters
• Actively investigate claims and prepare case handling strategies
• Draft and respond to discovery
• Review and analyze documents for production
• Conduct legal research using Westlaw
• Take and defend depositions
• Draft and submit pleadings and motions
• Attend hearings and argue motions
• Draft pre‑trial and trial documents
• Prepare cases for mediation/trial, and participate in mediation/trial
• Actively and effectively report to our clients

• Possess excellent academic credentials from a reputable law school
• Admission to the bar in California
• Extensive experience in all aspects of litigation
• Exceptional legal writing and communication skills
• Effective oral advocate
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly

• Hybrid Work Flexibility – Enjoy a perfect balance between remote and in‑office work.
• Flexible Paid Time Off – Attorneys are trusted to use their professional judgment to take paid time off as needed.
• Performance Bonuses – In addition to annual performance‑based bonuses, our monthly bonus plan gives you the opportunity to earn up to $2,000 per month!
• Student Debt Repayment – Eligible attorneys receive a non‑taxable monthly payment of $250 applied toward a qualified higher education student loan.
• Referral Rewards – Earn generous bonuses for introducing talented colleagues to our team.
• Mentorship & Career Growth – Access strong mentorship, global training programs, and career development support.
• Engaging Culture – Participate in exciting social events, volunteer and community service initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
• Wellbeing Benefits – $300 per calendar year for a variety of wellness activities as well as a Wellbeing Day dedicated to you, free from work, to focus on your mental, physical, and emotional health.
• Inclusive Parental Leave – Six months fully paid, for all parents regardless of gender or path to parenthood.
• Global Mobility Program – Participate in client‑facing events across North America and explore our international offices.

The salary range for this position is $160,000–$200,000. The range is based on factors such as skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace to allow everyone to excel refore, we welcome and encourage all applications from suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background or identity. Learn more about our interview process.