Junior Litigation Associate

Real Work, From Day One.

Mueller Christensen LLP is looking for a Junior Litigation Associate with 2+ years of experience, someone early in their career who is hungry for real litigation work, not a paper-shuffling apprenticeship.

At a boutique firm, you will not spend your first two years reviewing documents in a windowless room. You will be in the work, drafting discovery, preparing for depositions, arguing routine motions, and building the skills that take years to develop at larger firms. You will also be seen. Partners will know your name because they will be working directly alongside you.

We are not looking for someone who already knows everything. We are looking for someone with strong fundamentals, a serious work ethic, and the instinct to figure out what they do not know yet.

We require 4 days per week in the office (Lake Forest), with 1 day per week available for remote work.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: approximately $140,000 annually, depending on experience

Minimum billable requirement: 1,600 hours annually

Bonus eligibility under a fixed formula based on hours and performance

Retirement plan with firm matching

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

CLE and professional development support

Paid time off and firm holidays

Hybrid flexibility

Compensation:

$140,000 - $150,000 yearly

Responsibilities:

Mueller Christensen offers attorneys the chance to engage in real client contact, have genuine autonomy, and room to grow. Here is what this role looks like day to day:

Draft and respond to written discovery across civil and probate matters under partner and senior attorney supervision

Assist with deposition preparation (research, exhibit organization, outlines) and observe and support depositions as you develop toward taking them independently

Research and draft motions, including oppositions, supporting memoranda, and routine law and motion work

Appear in court on uncontested and routine matters, with a clear path toward more complex appearances as your experience grows

Assist with case management across active matters, including deadlines, filings, client updates, and file organization

Collaborate with partners and senior attorneys on case strategy, with increasing independence as you demonstrate judgment and capability

Qualifications:

J.D. from an accredited law school

Active California Bar membership in good standing

At least 2 years of civil or probate litigation experience

Strong research, writing, and analytical skills

Organized, deadline-driven, and capable of managing multiple matters without letting anything fall through the cracks

Hungry to learn, willing to ask questions, and honest about what you do not know yet

About Company

We are a team of approachable, no-nonsense lawyers dedicated to solving problems and delivering real outcomes. Our practice areas include Probate and Trust Litigation, Business Litigation, and General Liability Defense. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming firm where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. (Yes, that means your Funko Pop collection and Harry Potter references will fit right in.) We’re grounded, but we also know how to laugh and celebrate our quirks. #WHLAW2

Compensation details: Yearly Salary

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Full-Time