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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About the Office: The Office of the U.S. Trustee for Region 15 is a component of the Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program, which oversees the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system. The office monitors the administration of bankruptcy cases, identifies potential fraud, appoints interim trustees for chapter 7 cases, oversees debtors-in-possession in chapter 11 cases, and appoints and supervises standing trustees in chapter 13 cases. The United States Trustee for Region 15 serves the federal judicial districts established for Southern District of California, the District of Hawaii, the District of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The regional office is located in San Diego, CA.
The Office of the U.S. Trustee - Region 15 is seeking an attorney with experience in litigation and bankruptcy law to oversee bankruptcy cases filed in the federal judicial districts served by the Region and/or field office. Responsibilities include litigating enforcement matters on behalf of the Program, supervising private trustees, handling appellate matters, and referring potential criminal conduct identified through bankruptcy oversight. The Program aims to hire skilled Trial Attorneys and provide them with frequent, meaningful courtroom experience across a wide range of issues arising in bankruptcy cases. Typical duties of a field office Trial Attorney include:
- Overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases filed in the judicial districts served by the Region and field office.
- Litigating civil enforcement matters in consumer bankruptcy cases, including discharge objections, dismissal proceedings involving debtors’ ability to repay creditors, attorney misconduct, and misconduct by non-attorney document preparation services.
- Assisting with appellate matters.
- Partnering with the Executive Office and the United States Trustee on issues of national importance to support the Program’s mission locally and to help develop and implement policies that ensure uniform application of bankruptcy law.
- Supervising private trustees who administer cases filed under chapters 7, 13, 11, Subchapter V, and 12 of the Bankruptcy Code.
- Collaborating with Program bankruptcy Auditors, Paralegal Specialists, and other support staff in the Region.
- Working with federal and state law enforcement partners to report criminal activity identified through bankruptcy case oversight.
- Conducting outreach to stakeholders in the bankruptcy system, including the bankruptcy court, bar, and other federal and state agencies.
Participating in national projects and priorities, as assigned.
For qualification requirements and application details, check out the full job announcement at Legal Careers | Trial Attorney (Bankruptcy) | United States Department of Justice and submit your application package to ustp.employement@usdoj.gov. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/30/2026 to receive consideration.
Pay: $121,500.00 - $197,200.00 per year
Work Location: In person
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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
- Law & Legal Services
- 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 Zurich Insurance, York Law Firm, and Allstate Insurance, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Irvine 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 80% of trial attorney openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 63 Trial Attorney Jobs in California
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