Description:

About the role:
Not every litigation role gives junior attorneys meaningful courtroom exposure, client interaction, and the opportunity to actually learn how to take cases forward.

Focus Law is seeking an Associate Attorney – Business Litigation who is early in their litigation career and wants to grow in a trial-focused, strategy-driven environment. This role is ideal for an attorney who has a strong foundation in business litigation, wants hands-on experience, and is looking for mentorship while still being trusted with meaningful responsibility.

This is not a back-office research-only role. You will work closely with senior attorneys and firm leadership on complex business disputes, including contract disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, fraud claims, fiduciary duty matters, and other business litigation matters. You will have the opportunity to contribute to case strategy, draft substantive work product, interact with clients, attend hearings and depositions, and develop the skills needed to become a strong trial attorney.

About Us:
Focus Law is a respected business litigation firm in Orange County. We represent business owners in complex disputes and take pride in helping clients protect what they have built so they can continue to lead, innovate, and succeed.

Our work is grounded in strong client relationships, thoughtful legal strategy, and a commitment to high-quality advocacy. We are not a high-volume settlement firm. We prepare cases carefully and strategically, with the expectation of taking matters through trial when appropriate.

Our team values professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and practical problem-solving. We are looking for someone who wants to learn, contribute, and grow with the firm.

The Opportunity:
This position is designed for an attorney who wants more than a narrow support role. You will receive guidance and supervision, but you will also be expected to take ownership of assigned tasks, think critically, and move matters forward.

You will work directly with experienced attorneys on pleadings, discovery, motion practice, depositions, hearings, trial preparation, client communications, and case strategy. Over time, the goal is for this attorney to become increasingly independent and capable of managing more complex litigation responsibilities.

The right candidate will be curious, coachable, detail-oriented, and genuinely interested in business litigation and trial work.

Why Choose Us

You will gain hands-on experience in complex business litigation matters.
You will work directly with attorneys who are invested in strategy, preparation, and strong client outcomes.
You will have opportunities for courtroom exposure, hearings, depositions, mediations, and trial preparation.
You will work with business owners on matters that are meaningful and high-stakes.
You will join a small, growing firm where your work will be visible and valued.
You will receive mentorship while also being trusted to take ownership of your work.
You will be part of a team that values quality, preparation, professionalism, and client service.

Responsibilities:

Support attorneys in business litigation matters from intake through resolution.
Draft pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, meet-and-confer letters, mediation briefs, and other litigation documents.
Conduct legal research and prepare clear, practical research summaries.
Assist with case strategy, factual investigation, evidence review, and issue spotting.
Review and analyze documents, contracts, correspondence, business records, and opposing party productions.
Prepare deposition outlines, exhibit binders, hearing materials, mediation materials, and trial preparation documents.
Attend hearings, depositions, mediations, client meetings, and trial preparation sessions as appropriate.
Communicate professionally with clients, opposing counsel, court staff, vendors, and internal team members.
Maintain accurate and timely billing entries in accordance with firm expectations.
Manage deadlines, assignments, and case-related tasks with strong attention to detail.
Collaborate with attorneys and paralegals to keep matters moving efficiently.
Grow into increased responsibility as skills, judgment, and experience develop.

Education and Experience:

Must be licensed and in good standing with the California Bar.
Approximately 3-6 years of Business litigation experience is preferred.
Experience with pleadings, discovery, legal research, motion practice, hearings, or depositions preferred.
Trial, arbitration, mediation, or courtroom exposure is a plus.
Strong legal writing, research, organization, and communication skills required.
Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced litigation environment.
Must be coachable, proactive, and willing to learn the firm's approach to case strategy and client service.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is someone who:

Wants to become a strong trial attorney.
Enjoys litigation and is not afraid of the courtroom.
Takes initiative and follows through.
Is detail-oriented and organized.
Can receive feedback and incorporate attorney direction.
Thinks practically, not just academically.
Communicates clearly and professionally.
Understands that business litigation involves real stakes for clients.
Wants mentorship, but also wants responsibility.
Is looking for a place to grow long term.

Work Environment:

Hybrid schedule based in Anaheim Hills, CA.
Initial onboarding period will be primarily in-office for training, mentorship, and collaboration.
Ongoing hybrid flexibility may be available based on performance, business needs, court/client obligations, and case demands.
Attorneys are expected to manage their workload, deadlines, client service responsibilities, and billing expectations effectively.

Compensation:
Compensation will be based on experience, skills, and other job-related factors.