Litigation Associate

Job Description

Salary: Lockstep Compensation Program

About DTO Law

DTO Law was founded to prove theres a better way to practice law. Since 2019, our boutique firm has grown rapidly, fueled by an unrelenting focus on quality, agility, and authenticity. Our founding partnersformer Big Law attorneys and in-house counselbuilt DTO to combine elite talent with a modern, tech-savvy platform, a collaborative culture, and a fierce drive to win.

With offices in Los Angeles, New York and Silicon Valley, DTO Law has been named one of Los Angeles Business Journals Most Admired Law Firms to Work For three years in a row. We are also a proud member of NAMWOLF (the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms) and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).

At DTO, we hire and invest in attorneys who are driven, dynamic, and eager to grow. If you want meaningful responsibility, high-level mentorship, and the opportunity to litigate impactful matters alongside some of the best lawyers in the businesswe want to meet you.

Position Summary

DTO Law is seeking a mid- to senior-level Litigation Associate to join our Los Angeles team. The ideal candidate will have strong academic credentials and at least two years of experience at a top litigation firm. A federal clerkship is a plus. While DTO is looking primarily for associates with 2-5 years of experience, we welcome more senior candidates, especially those who can independently manage matters and devise winning case strategies and/or have experience defending class actions.

This role offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to take the lead on written work, client interaction, and hearings.

This position has a two-day in-office requirement. The annual billable hour expectation is 1,750.

Key Responsibilities

Case Management & Strategy: Independently manage day-to-day litigation activities and collaborate with partners on strategy and execution for complex commercial and class action matters.

Client Communication: Serve as a trusted point of contact for clients, providing updates, recommendations, and strategic insight.

Substantive Legal Work: Draft high-quality motions, pleadings, discovery responses, and legal memoranda that reflect sound judgment and attention to detail.

Depositions & Hearings: Take and defend depositions and appear at hearings. While trials are not regular occurrences, the role demands thinking through how to win the case if it goes to trial and incorporating that strategy at all stages of litigation.

Mentorship & Team Collaboration: Contribute to a culture of excellence, feedback, and development by working closely with a high-performing and approachable team.

Qualifications

J.D. from a top-tier law school; preference for Top 15 schools or candidates who graduated at the top of their class.

Active membership in the California Bar.

Minimum of two years of litigation experience at a law firm; mid- to senior-level candidates encouraged to apply.

Experience in commercial litigation required; class action litigation experience is a plus.

Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills.

Federal clerkship or top litigation firm experience is highly valued.

Ability to manage multiple matters independently and efficiently.

Why DTO?

DTO is a high-performing, people-first law firm where smart, self-directed attorneys thrive. We offer:

Challenging, Sophisticated Work: We handle complex mattersparticularly in class actions, commercial disputes, and IP litigationfor major national clients.

Direct Access to Leadership: Youll work closely with partners who are invested in your growth, not just your billable hours.

A Growth-Minded Environment: Associates are expectedand supportedto develop into leaders, with real responsibility from the start.

No Bureaucracy, No Burnout Culture: We built this firm to be lean, efficient, and human. We embrace tech, encourage collaboration and teamwork, and prize quality over volume.

A Strong, Inclusive Culture: Our team is diverse in background and perspective, and unified by a shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and trust.

Salary and Benefits

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and offer an excellent salary and benefits package. Lockstep salary is based on class year and a 1,750 billable hour requirement (associates who bill 1,825 or 1,900 receive additional guaranteed compensation). Benefits begin the first day of the month following the start date and include 401(k) enrollment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

DTO Law is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. DTO Law is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

If you meet the qualifications and are interested in this exciting opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter for consideration.

DTO Law Recruiting Brochure

Full-time