Associate Attorney Jobs in California
Associate Attorney jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with consistent demand from large law firms, in-house corporate legal departments, and public sector offices working in employment law, litigation, intellectual property, and technology transactions. The heaviest hiring is concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where firms like Latham and Watkins, Gibson Dunn, and Skadden maintain major offices and regularly bring on associates at every level from first-year to senior. California's sprawling tech sector, entertainment industry, and venture capital ecosystem keep demand for IP, M&A, and securities specialists particularly strong. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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- 401(k)
- Bonus based on performance
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
- Learning workers’ compensation case fundamentals and workflow
- Working closely with intake and support teams to evaluate and open cases
- Managing workers’ compensation files from beginning to end (with support staff)
- Assisting with and conducting depositions as you progress
- Collaborating with senior attorneys and staff
- Developing toward a supervisory role within approximately two years
- Recently admitted to the California Bar (or pending admission)
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Professional, reliable, and client-focused
- Willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable receiving feedback and training
- Strong communication skills
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
- Workers’ compensation experience not required
- Trial experience not required
- Structured training and mentorship program
- Clear growth path into leadership and supervision
- Support staff provided
- Long-term career development, not a temporary role
- Starting salary is $80,000 to $100,000 and is based on geographic area + experience
- Monthly bonuses based on performance
- 401(k)
- Bonus based on performance
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
- Learning workers’ compensation case fundamentals and workflow
- Working closely with intake and support teams to evaluate and open cases
- Managing workers’ compensation files from beginning to end (with support staff)
- Assisting with and conducting depositions as you progress
- Collaborating with senior attorneys and staff
- Developing toward a supervisory role within approximately two years
- Recently admitted to the California Bar (or pending admission)
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Professional, reliable, and client-focused
- Willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable receiving feedback and training
- Strong communication skills
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
- Workers’ compensation experience not required
- Trial experience not required
- Structured training and mentorship program
- Clear growth path into leadership and supervision
- Support staff provided
- Long-term career development, not a temporary role
- Starting salary is $80,000 to $100,000 and is based on geographic area + experience
- Monthly bonuses based on performance
See All 286+ Associate Attorney Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Associate Attorney JobsAssociate Attorney Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Associate Attorney Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP13
- WOOD, SMITH, HENNING & BERMAN10
- Kahana & Feld LLP8
- Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP8
- Abramson Labor7
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services14
- Staffing & Recruiting3
- Consulting & Professional Services3
- Agriculture & Farming1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate attorney jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California required
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required
- One to three years of litigation, transactional, or regulatory law firm experience preferred
- Strong legal research and writing skills demonstrated through law review, moot court, or prior practice
- Familiarity with California civil procedure and state court filing requirements
- Experience with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or comparable legal research platforms expected
Associate Attorney Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an associate attorney in California?
To practice as an associate attorney in California you must pass the California Bar Examination and be admitted to the State Bar of California, which is administered by the Committee of Bar Examiners. The path begins with a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, followed by sitting for the bar exam. First-time applicants must also complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and pass a character and fitness review before admission is granted.
How much do associate attorneys make in California?
Associate attorneys in California earn a median of about $195,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $97,950 for the lowest 10% to over $369,180 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire associate attorneys in California?
Employers hiring associate attorneys in California right now include Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, WOOD, SMITH, HENNING & BERMAN, and Kahana & Feld LLP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of large law firm offices, Fortune 500 headquarters, and technology companies means in-house legal departments and regional firm branches are among the most active sources of associate-level openings in the state.
Which California cities have the most associate attorney jobs?
Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco account for the largest share of associate attorney openings in California. Los Angeles drives volume through its entertainment, real estate, and litigation practices, San Francisco through its concentration of technology and venture capital clients, and San Diego through its biotech and defense contracting sectors, each pulling a distinct set of practice-area specializations into the market.
Are there remote associate attorney jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical fields because associate attorney work frequently involves court appearances, client meetings, and in-person depositions. About 68% of associate attorney openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in transactional, contract review, and document-intensive practices where physical presence is not required day to day.
How can I get hired as an associate attorney in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a summer associate program at a California law firm, which many large and mid-size firms in Los Angeles and San Francisco use as their primary pipeline for first-year hires. Public sector employers including the California Department of Justice and county public defender and district attorney offices run entry-level staff attorney programs that welcome recent admittees. Judicial clerkships at California state superior courts or the Ninth Circuit also convert reliably into associate offers, and a strong law review publication or moot court record gives applicants an edge in competitive first-year review cycles.
Where can I find and apply to associate attorney jobs in California?
You can find and apply to associate attorney jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your practice area and experience level and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 286+ Associate Attorney Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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