Habitability – Of Counsel Attorney

Overview

This role involves defending property owners, landlords, property management companies, and other clients in Superior Court litigation involving habitability (mold, code defects), Wrongful Eviction, and Premises Liability claims. Matters may overlap with construction defect issues and often require navigating the rent stabilization acts to evaluate client exposure.

The ideal candidate will have strong litigation experience and the ability to manage cases from inception through resolution. Familiarity with the San Francisco, Alameda County, and Los Angeles County tenant protection ordinances is also strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, discovery, and other legal documents
• Handle court appearances, depositions, mediations, and other litigation events
• Manage a litigation caseload as part of a collaborative team, with the level of independence based on experience
• Develop case strategy, evaluate liability and damages, and work toward efficient resolution
• Communicate with clients, carriers, experts, opposing counsel, and witnesses
• Prepare status reports, case evaluations, and other client-facing updates
• Collaborate with attorneys across offices and practice areas
• For senior candidates: independently manage complex matters and help mentor more junior attorneys, as appropriate

Requirements

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school
• Admitted to practice in California
• 5+ years of litigation experience required
• Experience drafting discovery, pleadings, dispositive motions, and pretrial motions required
• Superior analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing deadlines
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in habitability, landlord-tenant, premises liability, insurance defense, or related litigation
• Experience coordinating inspections and working with construction, building, environmental, or medical experts
• Experience with cases involving multiple defendants, property managers, contractors, maintenance companies, or insurers
• Experience handling court appearances, depositions, mediations, and expert discovery
• Experience cross-examining plaintiffs, fact witnesses, and/or experts
• Trial or second-chair trial experience

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $200,000—$250,000 USD
• Eligible for discretionary bonuses
• Full-time position with benefits including 401(k) retirement savings plan, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Additional details on participation in benefit plans provided upon offer

Compensation decisions may consider experience, education, licensure and/or certifications, geographic location, market demands, other business and organizational needs, and other factors permitted by law. Final salary may be outside the stated range based on other reasons and individual circumstances.

Location

• San Francisco office
• Flexible work arrangement: hybrid or remote

Equal Opportunity

Employment will be based on merit, qualifications, and competence, without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking, past or present service in the uniformed services or application or obligation to serve in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected by law.