Senior Trial Attorney

Job Duties

The Senior Trial Attorney independently manages and litigates highly complex family law cases, leads litigation strategy across the firm’s case portfolio, and provides mentorship to junior attorneys and support staff. This role requires a deep command of courtroom procedure, substantive law, and trial advocacy in high‑stakes and high‑conflict matters. More specifically, the Senior Trial Attorney is responsible for the following job duties:

• Litigate Complex and High‑Conflict Family Law Cases (30%) – Independently handle contested cases through all phases of litigation, including discovery, depositions, evidentiary hearings, and trials.
• Manage post‑judgment modifications, jurisdictional challenges, and bifurcated proceedings.
• Pretrial and Trial Strategy Development (15%) – Craft comprehensive litigation strategies, including motions in limine, expert witness planning, and evidentiary objections. Conduct cost‑benefit analyses and risk assessments for high‑asset and custody cases.
• Mentor and Supervise Legal Team (15%) – Provide substantive mentorship to associate attorneys, paralegals, and law clerks. Oversee drafting, research, and discovery processes performed by junior staff.
• Advanced Motion Practice and Legal Briefing (10%) – Draft and argue complex legal motions, including Requests for Orders, sanctions, and motions related to procedural and evidentiary issues. Author appellate‑level briefing when necessary.
• Client Counseling and Case Leadership (10%) – Maintain proactive communication with clients, delivering strategic guidance and managing client expectations with empathy and professionalism. Direct overall case roadmap, budget, and litigation goals.
• Expert Witness and Financial Analysis (10%) – Work with forensic accountants, custody evaluators, and vocational examiners. Analyze financial statements and reports to support claims related to support and property division.
• Courtroom Representation and Professional Conduct (5%) – Appear at hearings, trials, settlement conferences, and mediations. Uphold high standards of ethics and courtroom decorum.
• Billing and Time Management (5%) – Accurately track billable time using firm software. Maintain awareness of profitability and operational efficiency.

Employees Supervised: 2 paralegals, 1 legal secretary

• Bachelor of Law degree or equivalent, Juris Doctor, or a Master of Laws (LLM).

• Three (3) years of experience with family law litigation (must include trial and evidentiary hearing experience).

• License to practice law in the state of California.
• Experience developing and executing litigation strategy in contested matters.
• Experience managing and mentoring legal support staff.
• Experience drafting motions and experience with oral arguments in complex family law proceedings.
• Experience with California Family Law, including jurisdictional issues, evidentiary rules, and post‑judgment relief.
• Experience cross‑examining expert witnesses in financial and custody matters.
• Experience with case management and billing software, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with California local rules of court, settlement conference procedures, and courtroom protocol.

$ – $/year

• Great Pay:
  Competitive salary with performance bonus opportunities
• 401(k) Match:
  Generous matching to help secure your future.
• Unlimited Vacation Policy:
  We believe in work‑life balance and trust our team to manage their time off in a way that benefits them the most.
• Opportunities for Advancement:
  Our rapid growth means ample opportunities for you to grow professionally and take on new challenges.
• Full Benefits:
  Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans to meet all your needs.
• Great Culture:
  Be part of a team where your contributions are valued, and your wellbeing is paramount.