Associate Attorney – Civil Litigation (Insurance Defense)

Gray, Duffy, Eisenbaum & Lee, LLP (GDEL) is a respected boutique litigation defense firm with offices in Woodland Hills and Redwood City. Our practice focuses on civil litigation defense, including insurance defense, personal injury, construction defect, and employment litigation matters. The firm is known for its collaborative environment, experienced attorneys, and commitment to delivering high-quality legal representation in active, fast-moving litigation.

We are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our litigation team. This position offers the opportunity to manage an active caseload in civil defense litigation, develop hands-on experience in all phases of litigation, and collaborate closely with experienced attorneys on substantive case strategy, motion practice, and discovery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Managing assigned litigation matters through all stages of the case lifecycle, with appropriate supervision.
• Drafting pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, and other litigation documents
• Conducting legal research and preparing written analysis of substantive and procedural issues
• Participating in case strategy development, discovery planning, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation
• Taking and defending depositions, appearing in court, and participating in mediations and arbitrations as experience permits.
• Communicating directly and professionally with clients, insurance carriers, opposing counsel, experts, court personnel, and colleagues
• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, court rules, ethical obligations, and firm policies

• Performing additional duties as needed in support of client matters and firm operations.

Performance Expectations

• Maintain a minimum annual billable-hour requirement of 1,800 hours, subject to firm policies and business needs.
• Accurately and timely record all billable and non-billable time in accordance with firm and client billing requirements
• Meet productivity, quality, and client service expectations established by the firm, including performance metrics that may be considered in connection with bonus eligibility.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California
• 1–5 years of litigation experience preferred; experience in insurance defense, civil litigation, personal injury, construction defect, or employment litigation is a plus
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple matters, prioritize competing deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a client-service orientation and professional demeanor

Compensation and Benefits

Expected Salary Range: $125,000 to $180,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, education, business needs, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Additional Compensation:

Eligibility for quarterly performance-based bonus opportunities. Bonus eligibility and amounts are determined under the firm’s bonus program and are based on performance metrics, including billable hours, productivity, quality of work, client service, and other job-related factors.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and optional vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, subject to plan terms.
• Voluntary life insurance
• Paid parking.

Work Environment

Attorneys are expected to work three days per week in the office and may have the opportunity to work two days per week remotely, subject to client and practice needs. The role involves active participation in litigation matters, including court appearances, depositions, client meetings, and other case-related proceedings.

Physical Requirements

This position primarily involves office-based legal work and requires the ability to communicate effectively, operate standard office equipment and computer systems, and perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodation

Gray, Duffy, Eisenbaum & Lee, LLP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants and employees with religious beliefs, observances, or practices, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or interview process should notify the firm.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Gray, Duffy, Eisenbaum & Lee, LLP is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. The firm prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.