Senior Litigation Counsel Jobs in California
Senior Litigation Counsel jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, financial services, and healthcare, with openings at every level from newly minted litigation attorneys to senior trial counsel managing complex portfolios. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Apple, Wells Fargo, and Kaiser Permanente maintain substantial in-house legal teams. The most sought-after specializations include commercial litigation, employment defense, and class action defense. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Senior Litigation Counsel jobs
A well-established, full-service law firm is seeking a Litigation Senior Counsel to join its growing team. This role offers the opportunity to handle a diverse range of complex civil litigation matters, working closely with clients and leading cases from inception through resolution in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Litigation Senior Counsel
đź“Ť Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid)
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a full caseload of civil litigation matters from initial intake through trial and resolution
- Handle all aspects of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, and trial preparation
- Develop case strategies and provide practical legal advice to clients
- Represent clients in court appearances, mediations, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations
- Work across a variety of litigation areas, including employment, real estate, general liability, and business disputes
- Collaborate with attorneys and internal teams to ensure effective case management and client service
- Mentor junior attorneys and support their professional development as needed
- Maintain strong client relationships and contribute to overall case strategy and outcomes
Requirements
- 8+ years of civil litigation experience, preferably within a law firm environment
- Strong experience managing cases independently from start to finish
- Demonstrated experience with depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation
- Trial experience or significant exposure to trial proceedings is strongly preferred
- Experience across multiple litigation areas (e.g., employment, liability, real estate, or business disputes)
- Excellent legal writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with clients and stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple matters in a fast-paced environment
- Active California Bar admission in good standing
Salary and Other Compensation:
- The annual salary for this position is between $180,000 – $200,000 annually
- Factors which may affect pay within this range include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate
Benefits:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off (details TBD)
- Paid sick and safe time (details TBD)
- Paid vacation time (details TBD)
- Paid parental leave (details TBD)
- Paid holidays annually (details TBD)
đź“© Apply now or refer a colleague! unnati.patel@ascendion.com
A well-established, full-service law firm is seeking a Litigation Senior Counsel to join its growing team. This role offers the opportunity to handle a diverse range of complex civil litigation matters, working closely with clients and leading cases from inception through resolution in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Litigation Senior Counsel
đź“Ť Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid)
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage a full caseload of civil litigation matters from initial intake through trial and resolution
- Handle all aspects of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, and trial preparation
- Develop case strategies and provide practical legal advice to clients
- Represent clients in court appearances, mediations, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations
- Work across a variety of litigation areas, including employment, real estate, general liability, and business disputes
- Collaborate with attorneys and internal teams to ensure effective case management and client service
- Mentor junior attorneys and support their professional development as needed
- Maintain strong client relationships and contribute to overall case strategy and outcomes
Requirements
- 8+ years of civil litigation experience, preferably within a law firm environment
- Strong experience managing cases independently from start to finish
- Demonstrated experience with depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation
- Trial experience or significant exposure to trial proceedings is strongly preferred
- Experience across multiple litigation areas (e.g., employment, liability, real estate, or business disputes)
- Excellent legal writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with clients and stakeholders
- Ability to manage multiple matters in a fast-paced environment
- Active California Bar admission in good standing
Salary and Other Compensation:
- The annual salary for this position is between $180,000 – $200,000 annually
- Factors which may affect pay within this range include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate
Benefits:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off (details TBD)
- Paid sick and safe time (details TBD)
- Paid vacation time (details TBD)
- Paid parental leave (details TBD)
- Paid holidays annually (details TBD)
đź“© Apply now or refer a colleague! unnati.patel@ascendion.com
See All 12 Senior Litigation Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Litigation Counsel Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Litigation Counsel Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Cooley LLP2
- Antonyan Miranda LLP1
- Ascendion1
- Block1
- Epic1
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services6
- Technology & Software4
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Manufacturing1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior litigation counsel jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California in good standing
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
- Substantial first-chair trial or arbitration experience in California courts
- Deep knowledge of California Civil Procedure and evidence rules
- Experience managing outside counsel relationships and litigation budgets
- Strong written advocacy skills demonstrated through briefs and motion practice
Senior Litigation Counsel Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior litigation counsel in California?
You must be admitted to the State Bar of California, which requires passing the California Bar Examination administered by the Committee of Bar Examiners and completing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. The path typically begins with a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, followed by associate-level litigation work building trial and motion experience. Most California in-house teams promote to senior litigation counsel after consistent first-chair experience and demonstrated ability to manage complex matters independently.
How much do senior litigation counsels make in California?
Senior litigation counsels 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 senior litigation counsels in California?
Employers hiring senior litigation counsels in California right now include Cooley LLP, Antonyan Miranda LLP, and Ascendion, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, entertainment studios, and major financial institutions means in-house litigation teams here are larger and more specialized than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most senior litigation counsel jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Bay Area lead California for senior litigation counsel openings. Los Angeles dominates because of its density of entertainment conglomerates, real estate firms, and financial institutions with large in-house teams, while San Francisco and Silicon Valley draw heavily from the technology sector, and San Diego's concentration of biotech and defense contractors sustains consistent litigation hiring there.
Are there remote senior litigation counsel jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely advisory legal roles, since litigation counsel work often requires court appearances and in-person depositions in California venues. About 17% of senior litigation counsel openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting a partial flexibility trend among in-house teams. Pre-trial work such as legal research, brief writing, and settlement negotiations is the portion of the role most frequently performed remotely.
How can I get hired as a senior litigation counsel in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a litigation associate role at a California-based law firm or in-house team, where you build trial and motion experience before moving to a senior counsel title. Large California employers such as technology companies and healthcare systems frequently hire new attorneys through structured associate programs that feed into their in-house pipeline. Lateral moves from adjacent roles such as judicial law clerk, public defender, or deputy district attorney in a California county are highly regarded because they demonstrate actual courtroom experience that in-house hiring managers value.
Where can I find and apply to senior litigation counsel jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior litigation counsel jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 12 Senior Litigation Counsel Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs