Associate - Litigation (Business & Commercial) (Los Angeles or San Francisco)

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive.  Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm.  Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.  Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

DLA Piper is seeking an Associate to join its Litigation group, Business and Commercial subgroup. Candidates must have at least two years of relevant experience. This position is open in our Los Angeles and San Francisco offices.

Education

JD

Certifications

California Bar admission

Minimum Years of Experience

• 2+ years of Business and Commercial experience 
• California state court experience
• Federal court clerkship is a plus
• Direct and applicable AmLaw 100 firm and experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Core Associate Responsibilities:
  • Legal Research and Analysis: Conduct thorough legal research and analysis to support client matters, legal strategy, and decision-making.
  • Legal Writing and Drafting: Prepare clear, accurate, and well-reasoned legal documents, correspondence, memoranda, and other work product.
  • Client Service and Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong internal and external client relationships by delivering responsive, practical, and high-quality legal services.
  • Collaboration: Work collaboratively with lawyers and business professionals across practices and offices to support client objectives and achieve favorable outcomes.
  • Professional Judgment: Exercise sound professional judgment, identify legal and business risks, and develop practical solutions to complex issues.
  • Compliance and Ethics: Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, ethical, and professional standards.
  • Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training and development to enhance legal, business, leadership, and technology skills.
  • Firm Citizenship and Community Engagement: Contribute to firm initiatives, professional organizations, community service activities, and pro bono programs.
• Disputes Associate Responsibilities:
  • Manage and support complex litigation, arbitration, investigations, and dispute resolution matters from inception through resolution.
  • Develop case strategies, analyze factual and legal issues, and assess litigation risks and opportunities.
  • Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests and responses, witness outlines, and other litigation-related documents.
  • Conduct and defend depositions, witness interviews, and fact investigations, as appropriate based on experience level.
  • Prepare witnesses, experts, and clients for hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trial proceedings.
  • Participate in court appearances, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, trials, and settlement negotiations.
  • Manage discovery processes, including document review, production, privilege analyses, and e-discovery activities.
  • Collaborate with clients, experts, opposing counsel, and internal teams to advance litigation strategy and achieve favorable outcomes.
  • Monitor and analyze legal developments, judicial decisions, and procedural rules relevant to active matters and client industries.
• Transactions Associate Responsibilities:
  • Manage and support complex domestic and cross-border corporate, finance, real estate, tax, employment, and other transactional matters from inception through closing and post-closing activities.
  • Conduct legal due diligence, analyze findings, identify risks, and develop practical recommendations for clients.
  • Draft, review, negotiate, and revise contracts, transaction documents, disclosure schedules, and ancillary agreements.
  • Structure transactions and provide strategic advice regarding legal, regulatory, business, and operational considerations.
  • Support deal execution, including managing timelines, coordinating workstreams, and facilitating communication among transaction parties.
  • Participate in negotiations with clients, counterparties, lenders, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
  • Coordinate and manage transaction closings, including closing documentation, signatures, funds flow, and post-closing obligations.
  • Analyze and advise on applicable regulatory requirements, governance matters, and compliance considerations affecting transactions.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary legal teams and business professionals to deliver integrated solutions that support client objectives and successful transaction outcomes.

Skills and Competencies

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Attention to detail. Good business and professional judgment. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively and independently. Conceptual thinking. Persuasive communication. Management skills.

Essential Job Expectations

All DLA Piper employees are expected to demonstrate excellence in how we serve our clients and develop our people, upholding our firm values as part of our culture. Specific expectations include:

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and external audiences.

• Produce high-quality work and respond to correspondence in an efficient, timely, and professional manner.

• Meet deadlines, manage competing priorities, and commit to meeting high standards.

• Comply with firm policies and procedures.

• Maintain confidences as required in a law firm environment.

Physical Demands Sedentary work: This is primarily sedentary work, requiring occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects. The role involves sitting for extended periods, with occasional walking and standing, and occasional travel, both domestic and international.

Work Environment-The firm's work location requirements may be modified at the firm's discretion

• Opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement combining remote and in-office work. The specific arrangement will be determined at the time of hiring and may be modified at the firm's discretion.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process
All candidates must provide a cover letter, resume, transcript, and a writing sample not substantially edited by anyone other than the applicant.
Please apply online if you are a direct applicant.  Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.  If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process or if you have any questions about the process, please contact [email protected].  Please add [email protected] to your list of safe senders. 

 
Search Firms 

Per the terms of our agreement, all candidates must be submitted through the firm’s agency portal for consideration.  If you have an agreement with the firm, please log in to the agency portal.  If you do not have an agreement with us and would like us to consider candidates, please send a blind candidate profile to [email protected].

Pay Transparency 

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $225,000 - $390,000 per year depending on the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-KP2

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Job applicant poster viewing center.