Associate Attorney

Our Orange County office is seeking an Associate Attorney to join our dynamic municipal and public law practice. This position offers the opportunity to work directly with cities, special districts, public agencies, and private-sector clients on complex legal matters that shape communities throughout California. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience advising clients, handling litigation matters, drafting legal opinions, negotiating agreements, and appearing before courts, administrative agencies, and public boards.

This role is ideal for an attorney who is eager to develop expertise in public agency law, land use, labor and employment, real estate, environmental matters, and municipal governance while working alongside experienced attorneys in a collaborative and client-focused environment.

Practice Areas

Attorneys in our Orange County office provide counsel in a broad range of practice areas, including but not limited to:

• Cannabis
• Code Enforcement
• Contracts & Public Works
• Economic Development
• Education
• Elections
• Energy & Utilities
• Environment & Natural Resources
• Ethics & Open Government
• Franchises
• Housing
• Labor & Employment
• Land Use & Zoning
• Litigation
• Mining
• Mobile Home Parks & Rent Control
• Property Acquisition & Takings
• Public Agency Organization
• Public Finance
• Public Safety
• Real Estate
• Risk Management & Torts
• Telecommunications
• Toxics & Hazardous Waste
• Water Law

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Research and Analysis

• Research and analyze complex legal issues and prepare memoranda, legal opinions, pleadings, and briefs for review by Supervising Attorneys.
• Analyze and summarize contracts, agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents, recommending revisions and risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct due diligence reviews related to contracts, transactions, and public agency matters.
• Review statutes, regulations, case law, and administrative decisions to provide practical legal guidance to clients.

Litigation and Advocacy

• Perform all phases of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, legal research, and trial preparation.
• Review and manage electronically stored information (ESI) and documentary evidence.
• Analyze potential legal exposure and probable case outcomes based on applicable legal precedent.
• Develop litigation strategies and legal arguments for hearings, trials, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings.
• Represent clients before courts, administrative agencies, governing boards, commissions, and regulatory bodies.

Client Counseling

• Advise clients regarding legal rights, obligations, governance issues, business transactions, regulatory compliance, and litigation risks.
• Maintain regular communication with clients and provide responsive, practical legal counsel.
• Collaborate with attorneys across practice groups to address multidisciplinary legal matters affecting public agencies and organizations.

Professional and Administrative Responsibilities

• Supervise Paralegals, Legal Secretaries, and other support staff as appropriate.
• Participate in client development and community engagement activities.
• Assist with firm initiatives, special projects, and administrative functions.
• Maintain compliance with all firm policies, ethical obligations, and professional standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California State Bar and good standing.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong oral advocacy and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to providing exceptional client service.

Preferred

• Experience or demonstrated interest in municipal law, public agency law, labor and employment, land use, CEQA, real estate, public contracting, or litigation.
• Experience appearing before courts, administrative agencies, planning commissions, city councils, or governing boards.
• Judicial clerkship, law review, moot court, or relevant internship experience.