Overview
This role is for a Senior Counsel position focused on Landlord Tenant Litigation (including habitability-related claims) in Northern California, based out of the firm’s Novato office. Matters are handled throughout Northern California and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
An active California Bar license is required.
Responsibilities
- Develop effective case themes and trial strategies.
- Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs, and trials.
- Manage substantive discovery and trial preparation.
- Handle routine client communications.
- Prepare matters for mediation and trial, and guide cases toward resolution.
- Work with experts as needed and evaluate case exposure.
- Take and defend depositions.
- Conduct substantive motion practice.
- Collaborate with attorneys across different experience levels.
- Provide leadership and direction to less experienced attorneys.
Requirements
- JD from an ABA-approved school.
- Must be licensed in the State of California.
- 8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically with litigation support, deposition, and trial preparation.
- Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including all facets of discovery and trial.
- Experience handling insurance defense matters preferred.
- Experience with time management systems.
- Proficiency in MS Suite, specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Ability to think and act independently with minimal supervision.
- Outstanding listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Professional appearance and demeanor.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience handling landlord tenant claims, particularly involving habitability.
- Experience with premises liability and other property-related disputes.
- Experience representing property owners, property managers, housing providers, insurers, or other defendants.
- Trial experience is highly valued.
- Comfort across discovery, depositions, substantive motion practice, experts, mediation, and trial preparation.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $160,000–$190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Annual billable hours bonus: $10,000, then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier.
- Comprehensive benefits coverage, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700–$1,700).
- 401(k) program with a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4–5%.
- Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm): $100–$200/month.
- Paid parental leave at base pay.
- Monthly technology reimbursement: $60.
- Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate.
- In-house training and leadership development opportunities.
- Firm-provided CLE programs and paid bar license renewal fees.
- Flexible vacation policy for attorneys.
- Defined pathway to partnership.
- Internal diversity and inclusion programs.
- Firm-wide charitable giving program.
- Numerous social and off-site events each year.
Location
- Based out of the Novato office.
- Handling matters throughout Northern California and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
- Flexible work model: Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available.
- Attorneys who consistently come in at least twice a week can establish a permanent office space.