Description:

0–2 Years of Experience | $100,000–$200,000 | Hefley Law, APC | Torrance, California

Learn to litigate. Prepare cases for trial. Still have a life outside work.

Hefley Law, APC is seeking a newly admitted or early-career California attorney who wants to become a skilled litigator and trial attorney.

This is not a position where you will spend your first several years waiting for meaningful responsibility. You will work directly with experienced attorneys—including Christopher M. Hefley, a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law—and develop practical skills across the full life of a case.

We take our clients, our work, and professional development seriously. We also believe talented attorneys do their best work when they have time for family, friends, health, and a fulfilling personal life.

What You'll Learn and Do
With training and supervision appropriate to your experience, you will:

Develop litigation strategy and evaluate claims
Draft pleadings, trial briefs, legal memoranda, and persuasive correspondence
Conduct discovery and take depositions
Work directly with clients, witnesses, medical professionals, and opposing counsel
Attend conferences and hearings before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board
Negotiate settlements and develop strategies for efficient case resolution
Prepare exhibits, witnesses, and arguments for trial
Assist with—and progress toward handling—your own trials
Gain exposure to Labor Code section 132a and serious-and-willful-misconduct claims
Responsibility will grow with your skills. You will not be expected to know everything on your first day, but you will be expected to bring curiosity, sound judgment, preparation, and a genuine desire to improve.

Why Hefley Law?
Hefley Law is a full-service workers' compensation defense firm representing insurance carriers, self-insured employers, third-party administrators, and government employers throughout California.

Our attorneys handle matters from the opening of a claim through discovery, the medical-legal process, settlement, and trial. The firm appears before Workers' Compensation Appeals Boards throughout the state and, when required, in California's Superior and appellate courts.

For a new attorney, that means an opportunity to understand how cases are built, defended, negotiated, and tried—not simply complete isolated assignments without seeing the larger strategy.

You can expect:

Direct access to experienced litigators
Practical training and candid, constructive feedback
Early exposure to depositions, hearings, negotiations, and trials
Meaningful client contact
Increasing independence as your abilities develop
A collegial workplace that values respect, inclusion, and contribution
Reasonable expectations and respect for your time outside work
A long-term opportunity to grow with the firm

Who We're Looking for:
You may be a strong fit if you:

Are an active member of the California Bar or are awaiting admission
Have zero to two years of attorney experience
Want to develop into a confident litigator and trial attorney
Communicate clearly and write persuasively
Are organized, dependable, and attentive to detail
Welcome feedback and want to keep improving
Take ownership of assignments while knowing when to ask for guidance
Enjoy strategy, negotiation, advocacy, and solving difficult problems
Want high professional standards without a culture that glorifies burnout

Workers' compensation experience is welcome but not required. We are prepared to teach the practice area to the right candidate.

Experience gained through a judicial externship, legal clinic, moot court, mock trial, certified law clerk position, internship, or similar program will also be valued.

Compensation and Benefits:
Hefley Law offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes:

Annual salary of $100,000–$200,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated capabilities
Performance-based bonus opportunities
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave
Paid firm holidays
Payment of approved continuing legal education expenses
Payment of California Bar dues
Professional development, mentorship, and increasing responsibility