Litigation Associate (San Jose, San Mateo, or Pleasanton - all Bay Area)
- Location
- San Jose, San Mateo +1
- Workplace
- On-site
- Employment
- Full-time
- Compensation
- $175k – $225k
- Visa
- No Visa Sponsorship
About this role
We are looking for a Litigation Associate with 4–6 years of experience to join a respected Silicon Valley law firm and handle sophisticated legal malpractice defense and complex business litigation matters. You'll get substantive responsibility from day one — managing cases, taking depositions, and building direct client relationships — all within a collegial, partnership-track environment without BigLaw burnout.
What will you be doing?
- Defending attorneys and law firms against professional liability and legal malpractice claims
- Litigating complex business disputes including breach of contract, trade secrets, and partnership matters
- Taking and defending depositions of fact witnesses, opposing parties, and experts
- Drafting and arguing dispositive motions (MSJs, demurrers, motions in limine)
- Communicating directly with clients to manage expectations and build lasting relationships
Key Requirements
- Active California State Bar membership
- 4–6 years of litigation experience focused on legal malpractice defense and/or business litigation
- Experience independently managing cases through discovery, motion practice, and depositions
- Strong knowledge of California Code of Civil Procedure and Evidence Code
- Based in or willing to relocate to the SF Bay Area; on-site in San Jose, Pleasanton, or San Mateo
What happens next
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Confirm the fit
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A meeting lands on your calendar
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Culture & values
Collaborative and collegial work environment
Direct partner access
True subject matter specialists rather than generalists
Seamless cross-practice collaboration through integrated platform
Regional loyalty and long tenure among staff
Community involvement
Sustainable career model with balanced attorney lifestyle
Faster path to meaningful responsibility compared to larger firms
Multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving
Silicon Valley location with boutique-level attention rather than BigLaw bureaucracy
Ask your AI about this role
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Ask about this role
Tell me about the Litigation Associate (San Jose, San Mateo, or Pleasanton - all Bay Area) role at Hoge Fenton on Clera (https://www.getclera.com/jobs/hoge-fenton/litigation-associate-san-jose-san-mateo-or-pleasanton-all-bay-area--vj9pmid8zpai). Does it fit my profile and preferences? If it does, tell Clera I'm interested.
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