Associate Attorney – Insurance Defense / Civil Litigation (Mid-to-Senior Level)

Gray, Duffy, Eisenbaum & Lee, LLP (GDEL) is a respected boutique litigation defense firm with offices in Woodland Hills and Redwood City. The firm focuses on civil litigation defense, with an emphasis on insurance defense, personal injury, construction defect, and employment litigation matters.

We are seeking a Mid-to-Senior Level Associate Attorney with strong civil litigation experience to join our litigation team. This role is designed for an attorney who can independently manage an active insurance defense caseload while continuing to develop advocacy skills in motion practice, discovery, depositions, and trial preparation in a fast-moving litigation environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Independently managing assigned insurance defense and civil litigation matters through all stages of the case lifecycle, with appropriate partner oversight
• Drafting pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, and other litigation documents
• Conducting legal research and preparing substantive analysis of procedural and substantive issues
• Taking and defending depositions and handling court appearances, mediations, arbitrations, and other proceedings
• Developing case strategy and managing discovery in coordination with supervising attorneys
• Negotiating settlements and participating in resolution strategy throughout litigation
• 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 1,850 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
• 5–12 years of civil litigation experience, with significant insurance defense experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience in motion practice, discovery, depositions, and active case management in litigation matters
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to independently manage multiple active matters and perform in a fast-paced litigation environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a client-service orientation and professional demeanor
• Trial experience or trial preparation experience is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

Expected Salary Range: $150,000 to $225,000 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 bonuses. 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
• Additional benefits as provided under applicable firm policies and plan documents

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 sincerely held 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 under applicable federal, state, or local law.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter describing their qualifications and interest in the position.