Trial Attorney Jobs in California
Trial attorney jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in plaintiff and defense litigation, government enforcement, and corporate legal departments, with openings at every level from newly admitted associates through senior litigators. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego anchor the market, where firms like Latham and Watkins, Gibson Dunn, and the California Department of Justice maintain substantial litigation practices. The most in-demand specialties are employment litigation, personal injury defense, and complex commercial disputes. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company Description
Parker Shaffie LLP is a Chambers spotlight ranked firm, and has been a trusted provider of legal representation representing international, national, and local clients for over three decades. We provide thoughtful and effective litigation, business, entertainment, and ethics advice to a wide range of clients, including small, medium, and large businesses, Fortune 500 companies, other lawyers and law firms, family groups, individuals, and key stakeholders in California.
We are seeking an accomplished trial attorney to take immediate first- and second-chair ownership of high-stakes business disputes, legal ethics defense, and professional liability matters when they go to trial.
If you are trapped behind senior partners at a mega-firm who hoard courtroom time, or are carrying an unmanageable docket of cases without real support, this role offers direct client stewardship and a clear platform to shine.
Role Description
This is a full-time role for a Trial Attorney at our Los Angeles office. *Trial experience is a must.*
The Trial Attorney will be responsible for supervising and/or handling 360 degree day-to-day tasks such as drafting motions, appearing in courts, conducting trials, and taking depositions. You will supervise and mentor mid-level associates in deposition preparation, brief writing, and trial prep, as well as collaborate directly with your peers on various firm initiatives.
Why Join?
Work with top tier attorneys and legal professionals with decades of experience in unique practice areas.
Our firm encourages work/life balance and maintains family style environment which fosters rewarding relationships and career development. If you're looking for a long term home and true growth track without institutional gatekeeping then we are the firm for you.
A Real 1,850 Target: Unlike traditional firms that demand 2,000+ pure client-billable hours, our 1,850 threshold explicitly credits non-billable investments—including business development, high-value networking, and MCLE.
Parker Shaffie LLP has tripled in growth in the last eight years and continues to expand. With this comes plenty of opportunities for expanding roles, professional growth and development.
Diverse practice areas which continue to broaden. These include professional liability, business disputes and litigation, insurance coverage, ethics, and entertainment.
Generous bonus structure and room for growth, including developing and/or expanding your book of business.
Generous medical insurance program.
Qualifications
- 7+ years experience with verified first or second chair trial experience.
- Strong knowledge and experience in law and motion, court appearances, depositions, and trials.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
- Ability to work and manage multiple cases, as well as supervise others.
- Admission to the California State Bar.
- Experience in handling complex litigation cases.
- Strong negotiation and persuasive skills.
Pay: $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Los Angeles, CA 90017
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Trial Attorney Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
- Staffing & Recruiting
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in trial attorney jobs across California.
- Active membership in the State Bar of California required before start date
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required
- First-chair or second-chair trial experience in California state or federal court preferred
- Strong legal research, motion writing, and oral argument skills required
- Experience managing discovery, depositions, and expert witnesses in California litigation
- Familiarity with California Code of Civil Procedure and California Rules of Court required
Trial Attorney Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a trial attorney in California?
You become a trial attorney in California by earning a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, passing the California Bar Examination administered by the State Bar of California, and completing the Moral Character Determination process before admission. After admission, most trial attorneys build courtroom experience through associate roles at litigation firms, public defender or district attorney offices, or the California Department of Justice, where supervised trial work is central from the start.
How much do trial attorneys make in California?
Trial 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 trial attorneys in California?
Employers hiring trial attorneys in California right now include Abramson Labor, Farmers Insurance, and Wilson Elser, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, large insurance carriers, and state and local government agencies means demand is spread across private firms, in-house legal departments, and public sector offices statewide.
Which California cities have the most trial attorney jobs?
Los Angeles, Irvine, and Burbank have the most trial attorney openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to its volume of civil litigation, entertainment and employment disputes, and the presence of major national law firms, while San Francisco draws corporate and tech-sector litigation work and San Diego supports a strong plaintiff bar alongside government and military-related legal practices.
Are there remote trial attorney jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Trial work is fundamentally tied to courtrooms, depositions, and in-person client meetings, which limits how much of the role can move off-site. About 79% of trial attorney openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those postings typically apply to pre-trial work such as brief writing, legal research, and discovery review rather than active courtroom appearances.
How can I get hired as a trial attorney in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a position with the Los Angeles County Public Defender, a California district attorney office, or the California Attorney General's Office, all of which run structured programs that put new admits in court quickly. Large defense firms in Los Angeles and San Francisco also hire litigation associates directly from law school for discovery and motion-support roles that build toward first-chair work. A strong moot court record, a judicial externship in a California superior court, and admission to the State Bar before your start date give new candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to trial attorney jobs in California?
You can find and apply to trial attorney jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across law firms, government offices, and in-house legal departments. Find the roles that fit your practice area and experience level and apply directly.
See All 35 Trial Attorney Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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