Entry Level Litigation Associate Jobs
New grad litigation associate jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or law school clinic participation can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Law & Legal Services and Staffing & Recruiting, with employers like Jobot, O’Hagan Meyer, and Direct Counsel hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Entry Level Litigation Associate jobs
Locations: Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA
About the Opportunity
Direct Counsel is seeking a Litigation Associate Attorney to join a respected California law firm with offices throughout the state. The firm represents businesses, business owners, individuals, emerging companies, and nonprofits in sophisticated litigation and business matters. This attorney will handle complex general litigation matters through all phases of a case, including legal research, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, depositions, hearings, mediation, and trial preparation. The role offers meaningful hands-on experience working closely with experienced litigators and trial attorneys in a collaborative environment. The position is hybrid after 90 days, with three days in the office and up to two days remote per week.
Responsibilities
- Manage litigation matters through all phases, including pre-litigation strategy, pleadings, discovery, law and motion practice, mediation, trial preparation, and post-trial proceedings
- Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, including dispositive motions such as demurrers and motions for summary judgment
- Take and defend depositions and prepare witnesses for depositions and hearings
- Conduct legal research and provide strategic analysis on complex business-related disputes
- Appear at hearings, case management conferences, mediations, and arbitrations
- Assist with trial preparation, including exhibit preparation, witness outlines, and coordination with experts
- Collaborate with partners, senior associates, clients, and other team members to develop litigation strategy and efficiently manage cases
- Prepare matters for mediation and trial, including developing case themes and coordinating key case tasks
- Communicate regularly with clients, opposing counsel, courts, and third-party vendors
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
- Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
- 2-6 years of substantive complex general litigation experience
- Experience drafting and arguing dispositive and non-dispositive motions
- Experience taking and defending depositions and managing matters through discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation
- Trial experience preferred
- Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative, client-focused approach
- Ability to independently manage multiple matters and deadlines while exercising sound judgment with minimal supervision
Compensation
$160,000–$210,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Locations: Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA
About the Opportunity
Direct Counsel is seeking a Litigation Associate Attorney to join a respected California law firm with offices throughout the state. The firm represents businesses, business owners, individuals, emerging companies, and nonprofits in sophisticated litigation and business matters. This attorney will handle complex general litigation matters through all phases of a case, including legal research, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, depositions, hearings, mediation, and trial preparation. The role offers meaningful hands-on experience working closely with experienced litigators and trial attorneys in a collaborative environment. The position is hybrid after 90 days, with three days in the office and up to two days remote per week.
Responsibilities
- Manage litigation matters through all phases, including pre-litigation strategy, pleadings, discovery, law and motion practice, mediation, trial preparation, and post-trial proceedings
- Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, including dispositive motions such as demurrers and motions for summary judgment
- Take and defend depositions and prepare witnesses for depositions and hearings
- Conduct legal research and provide strategic analysis on complex business-related disputes
- Appear at hearings, case management conferences, mediations, and arbitrations
- Assist with trial preparation, including exhibit preparation, witness outlines, and coordination with experts
- Collaborate with partners, senior associates, clients, and other team members to develop litigation strategy and efficiently manage cases
- Prepare matters for mediation and trial, including developing case themes and coordinating key case tasks
- Communicate regularly with clients, opposing counsel, courts, and third-party vendors
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
- Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar
- 2-6 years of substantive complex general litigation experience
- Experience drafting and arguing dispositive and non-dispositive motions
- Experience taking and defending depositions and managing matters through discovery, motion practice, mediation, and trial preparation
- Trial experience preferred
- Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative, client-focused approach
- Ability to independently manage multiple matters and deadlines while exercising sound judgment with minimal supervision
Compensation
$160,000–$210,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
Entry Level Litigation Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level litigation associate job?
Start by highlighting law school clinics, moot court experience, internships, or any courtroom-adjacent work in your application materials. Employers hiring at the entry level typically look for strong legal writing samples, familiarity with civil procedure, and demonstrated research skills. Tailoring your cover letter to the firm's practice area and showing genuine interest in litigation over transactional work gives candidates a clear edge.
Which companies hire entry level litigation associates?
Companies hiring entry level litigation associates right now include Jobot, O’Hagan Meyer, and Direct Counsel, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a wide range, including regional law firms, national full-service firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies that run active litigation practices.
Are there remote entry level litigation associate jobs?
Yes, though most entry level litigation roles remain on-site given the courtroom and in-person collaboration demands of the work. About 60% of entry level litigation associate openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with hybrid arrangements more common than fully remote positions at this career stage.
Are these new grad litigation associate jobs?
Yes, many of these postings are new grad and junior roles that explicitly welcome recent graduates and candidates with little to no professional experience. A new grad-friendly litigation associate posting typically accepts zero to two years of experience, counts law school clinic work or internships toward qualifications, and does not require prior bar admission in some cases.
Which industries hire the most entry level litigation associates?
Entry Level litigation associate roles concentrate in Law & Legal Services and Staffing & Recruiting, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at the entry level because they generate high volumes of disputes, regulatory matters, and contract disagreements that require dedicated litigation support from junior attorneys.