Civil Litigation Associate Attorney

Trueline's client, a well-established litigation firm with a strong reputation representing public entities and businesses throughout Northern California, is seeking a Civil Litigation Associate Attorney to join its growing team in the Sacramento area. This is an outstanding opportunity for a litigator who wants meaningful courtroom experience, mentorship from seasoned trial attorneys, and a realistic path toward long-term leadership in a lifestyle-friendly practice.

What You'll Do as the Civil Litigation Associate Attorney:

• Manage a diverse caseload involving public entity defense and general civil litigation
• Represent municipalities, counties, public agencies, and their employees in complex litigation matters
• Handle all phases of litigation including pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediations, and trial preparation
• Develop litigation strategy alongside experienced trial attorneys
• Appear in state and federal courts as your experience grows
• Collaborate directly with partners while taking increasing ownership of your cases
• Gain exposure to a wide variety of matters ranging from routine disputes to highly complex litigation

Must-Haves as the Civil Litigation Associate Attorney:

• Active California Bar membership in good standing
• Civil litigation experience in private practice, government, or insurance defense
• Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills
• Deposition and motion practice experience preferred
• Excellent communication and client management skills
• Motivated self-starter who enjoys taking ownership of cases
• Collaborative attitude and willingness to handle work across all levels of complexity

Nice-to-Haves as the Civil Litigation Associate Attorney:

• Experience representing public entities or governmental agencies
• Insurance defense background
• State or federal courtroom experience
• Desire to build trial experience
• Interest in long-term leadership or future ownership opportunities

Our Client Offers:

• Base salary approximately $130,000-$190,000 depending on experience
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Billable hour bonus program beginning after 1,750 hours ($5,000 for every additional 100 billable hours)
• Hybrid work schedule with 2-3 days working remotely each week
• Medical insurance with approximately 75% employer-paid employee coverage
• 401(k) with 4% company match after one year
• Profit sharing
• Excellent mentorship from highly accomplished trial attorneys
• Genuine opportunity to grow into future leadership and ownership within the firm
• Broad litigation exposure without Big Law billable expectations

Why This Role Stands Out

Many litigators leave large firms because they spend years drafting research memos without meaningful courtroom experience. Here, you'll take depositions, argue motions, work directly with clients, and build real trial skills while maintaining a significantly more balanced billable requirement than many larger firms. If you're looking for challenging litigation work without sacrificing your quality of life, this is a rare opportunity.

Trueline and its clients are unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.