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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Overview

Open roles8+
Top employerFarmers Insurance
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring7
Work type63% Remote
Top industryInsurance

Showing 5 of 8+ Trial Attorney jobs

Nationwide
Sr. Trial Attorney
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Nationwide
Added 2w ago
Sr. Trial Attorney
Nationwide
Oakland, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$138k - $206k/yr
Remote (US)
Doctorate

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Farmers Insurance Group
Insurance Defense Trial Attorney
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Farmers Insurance Group
Added 1mo ago
Insurance Defense Trial Attorney
Farmers Insurance Group
Los Angeles, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$115k - $196k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Strategic Legal Practices
Junior Trial Attorney
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Strategic Legal Practices
Added 2mo ago
Junior Trial Attorney
Strategic Legal Practices
San Diego, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$130k - $200k/yr
On-Site
None

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Strategic Legal Practices
Junior Trial Attorney
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Strategic Legal Practices
Added 2mo ago
Junior Trial Attorney
Strategic Legal Practices
San Jose, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$130k - $200k/yr
On-Site
None

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Farmers Insurance Group
Insurance Defense Trial Attorney
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Farmers Insurance Group
Added 3mo ago
Insurance Defense Trial Attorney
Farmers Insurance Group
San Jose, California
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$115k - $196k/yr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See All 8 Trial Attorney Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Trial Attorney Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Jose
2 jobs
Brea
1 jobs
Irvine
1 jobs
Los Angeles
1 jobs
Oakland
1 jobs
Sacramento
1 jobs
San Diego
1 jobs

Trial Attorney Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Farmers Insurance
    Farmers Insurance3
  • Nationwide
    Nationwide2
  • Strategic Legal Practices
    Strategic Legal Practices2
  • Zurich Insurance
    Zurich Insurance1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Insurance6
  • Law & Legal Services2
  • Banking & Financial Services1
  • Investment & Asset Management1

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 Farmers Insurance, Nationwide, and Strategic Legal Practices, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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?

San Jose, Brea, 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 75% of trial attorney openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 8 Trial Attorney Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Trial Attorney Jobs