Defense Litigation Attorney (Riverside)

Job Description

Litigation Attorney — Civil Rights, Employment, and Public Entity Defense

Riverside, CA Hybrid (Up to 3 Remote Days per Week)

Direct Counsel is representing a thriving litigation boutique firm

$135,000 – $200,000/year + Bonuses + Benefits

Direct Counsel is representing a respected and dynamic litigation firm in Downtown Riverside seeking an energetic and collaborative Litigation Attorney to join their team. This full-time role is ideal for an attorney who thrives in fast-paced, meaningful legal work and wants to grow in a team-first environment that prioritizes professional development, flexibility, and firm culture.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

High-Impact Work: Handle complex and high-profile cases involving civil rights, employment, tort, and public entity defense—often with multi-million dollar exposure in both state and federal courts.

Culture-Focused: Join a firm where attorneys stay long-term, enjoy regular off-site social events (think Top Golf, hikes, live shows, and Friday socials), and benefit from a family-first philosophy.

Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid work model with up to 3 remote days per week, reasonable billable expectations, and no formal PTO cap as long as you're on pace to meet yearly goals.

Position Overview:

As a Litigation Attorney, you’ll independently manage a diverse caseload from inception to resolution, including:

Developing legal strategy

Taking/defending depositions

Drafting and arguing motions

Collaborating on discovery with staff and investigators

Participating in mediation, trial, and appeals (including before the 9th Circuit)

You’ll gain hands-on experience in impactful litigation while working alongside seasoned attorneys who value mentorship and collaboration.

Qualifications:

Licensed to practice law in California (Required)

Experience in litigation with exposure to civil rights, employment law, or public entity defense

Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills

Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-based work environment

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range: $135,000 – $200,000 (based on experience)

Bonus: $100/hour for all billables exceeding 1,920 hours annually

Benefits include:

401(k) with matching + profit sharing

Health and dental insurance

Hybrid schedule with work-from-home options

No formal PTO cap — flexible time off as long as billables are met

Billable Hour Requirement:

1920 hours/year (~160/month average; tracked monthly for pacing)

Reasonable expectations with work-life balance in mind

About the Firm Culture:

You’ll work with paralegal-certified legal support, top-tier legal technology, and an attorney-to-secretary ratio of 2:1. The firm’s culture is relationship-driven, both internally and with clients, and fosters personal and professional excellence. It’s an ideal alternative to “big law” with the same level of sophistication—minus the burnout.

Full-time

Hybrid remote