Description:
Overview:Salary Range:
$120,000.00 - $155,000.00 Salary
Description:
Role Overview:
The Associate Attorney on the Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Team plays a critical role in developing and litigating complex, survivor-centered cases. This position is responsible for managing cases from intake through trial, building strong liability and damages theories, and advocating for survivors with a trauma-informed approach. The role requires strategic thinking, strong litigation skills, and the ability to handle sensitive matters with care while delivering high-quality legal work.
This position is open to candidates based in San Diego.
Salary:
$ 120,000- $155,000 annually
Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as location, skills, experience, and qualifications for the role.
Key Responsibilities:
The Big Picture
- Manage a caseload of sexual assault and human trafficking matters from intake through resolution or trial.
- Develop and execute litigation strategy, including case themes, liability theories, and damages models.
- Advocate for survivors using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.
- Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and investigators to build strong, evidence-driven cases.
- Contribute to case strategy, institutional accountability theories, and pattern-and-practice development.
Case Development & Strategy
- Review intake materials to identify viable claims, defendants, and statutes of limitation.
- Analyze liability, causation, and damages; develop case chronologies and themes.
- Identify missing evidence and investigative needs.
- Build institutional notice, ratification, and pattern-and-practice arguments.
- Anticipate defenses and develop strategies to overcome them.
- Conduct client meetings and ongoing communications.
- Prepare clients for all stages of litigation (filing, discovery, depositions, mediation, trial).
- Provide clear, consistent updates on case status.
- Build trust using trauma-informed, non-retraumatizing communication practices.
- Interview witnesses and coordinate evidence collection.
- Obtain and analyze police, medical, therapy, school, employment, and institutional records.
- Investigate prior complaints, policies, and institutional failures.
- Work with investigators and staff to develop factual records.
- Draft complaints, amended complaints, and dispositive/opposition motions.
- Prepare motions in limine and other pretrial filings.
- Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on key legal issues.
- Track deadlines and ensure timely, high-quality filings.
- Draft and respond to interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and subpoenas.
- Analyze incoming discovery and manage strategy to develop liability and damages evidence.
- Draft meet-and-confer correspondence and motions to compel or for protective orders.
- Prepare outlines for party, witness, expert, and PMK/30(b)(6) depositions.
- Defend plaintiff depositions and take or second-chair depositions.
- Summarize testimony and identify key admissions.
- Develop impeachment materials and follow-up discovery.
- Identify and retain appropriate experts (e.g., trauma, psychology, institutional abuse, damages).
- Prepare expert materials, disclosures, and deposition/trial preparation.
- Draft mediation briefs and demand packages.
- Prepare damages analyses and liability summaries.
- Assist in evaluating settlement positions and updating case value.
- Prepare clients for mediation.
- Draft jury instructions, verdict forms, and trial briefs.
- Prepare witness outlines, examinations, and exhibits.
- Organize trial materials, timelines, and demonstratives.
- Assist with trial logistics and participate as first- or second-chair, depending on experience.
- Collaborate with paralegals, case assistants, investigators, and senior attorneys.
- Delegate tasks while maintaining ownership of case strategy.
- Mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.
- Communicate risks, deadlines, and strategic decisions to leadership.
- Apply trauma-informed practices in all client interactions.
- Handle sensitive information with discretion and care.
- Maintain awareness of confidentiality and privacy issues.
- Balance strong advocacy with emotional intelligence and client well-being.
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active license to practice law in California.
- 3+ years of litigation experience (civil litigation preferred; plaintiff-side or complex litigation a plus)
- Experience with discovery, depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation
- Strong legal research and writing skills
Technical skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe
- Experience with legal and e-discovery platforms such as ShareFile, PACER, CaseAnywhere, Lexis, SmartAdvocate, Everlaw, Filevine, and OneLegal
Core skills:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management abilities
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and complex cases
- High attention to detail and problem-solving skills
Competencies:
- Performance & Contributions: Consistently delivers quality results and meets or exceeds job requirements.
- Collaboration & Communication: Works effectively with colleagues and communicates clearly.
- Initiative: Proactively takes action to achieve results.
- Professional Growth & Development: Demonstrates ongoing professional growth and seeks opportunities for development.
- Team Performance & Cohesion: Builds a cohesive and high-performing team.
Additional Information:
This role may require occasional travel for depositions, court appearances, or trial.
