Assistant Managing Attorney-California Practice

San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA or Palo Alto, CA

Summary

A premier law firm is seeking a J.D. to join the Managing Attorney’s Office (MAO) as an Assistant Managing Attorney with a focus on California practice.

The Assistant Managing Attorney will work closely with litigation teams and senior members of the Managing Attorney’s Office on procedural strategy, discovery planning, motion practice, court filings, calendaring, case management, and other litigation-procedure issues across the firm.

Although California will be a significant area of responsibility, the role is intentionally broader. The Assistant Managing Attorney will support litigation teams firmwide, respond to procedural questions in state and federal courts across jurisdictions, and contribute to the broader work of the Managing Attorney’s Office.

Over time, the attorney is expected to develop particular depth in California practice while also building broad expertise in federal and state court procedure nationally.

This is not necessarily a traditional practicing attorney role. It is well suited both to litigators who are particularly drawn to procedure and court practice and to J.D.s whose experience has centered on litigation operations, docketing, court filings, procedural research, or related functions.

Responsibilities

Firmwide Litigation Procedure & Case Support

• Support litigation teams across the firm on procedural issues arising in state and federal courts.
• Research and analyze federal, state, local, and judge-specific procedural requirements.
• Assist case teams in developing procedural strategies, litigation timelines, and case-management plans.
• Advise on filing requirements, service, deadlines, briefing schedules, hearings, discovery procedures, and other court-practice issues.
• Serve as a resource to partners and associates on procedural questions throughout the life of a matter.
• Work with senior members of the Managing Attorney’s Office on complex or novel procedural issues across jurisdictions.

California Practice

• Develop deep expertise in California state and federal court practice.
• Advise litigation teams regarding the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, local rules, standing orders, and judge-specific practices.
• Support California matters involving pleadings, discovery, motion practice, hearings, trial preparation, and case management.
• Monitor developments in California procedure and court practice and communicate relevant changes to litigation teams and the Managing Attorney’s Office.
• Develop practical internal guidance, checklists, and resources relating to California litigation.

Court Filings, E-Filing & Docketing

• Assist with the preparation, procedural review, and filing of pleadings, motions, applications, and other court submissions.
• Navigate and develop expertise in electronic filing systems and court-specific filing procedures.
• Review filings for compliance with procedural, formatting, filing, and service requirements.
• Work closely with docketing and calendaring professionals to identify, calculate, and track litigation deadlines.
• Assist with questions involving filing mechanics, hearing reservations, service requirements, chambers procedures, and other court-specific practices.
• Troubleshoot filing and procedural issues as they arise.

Discovery & Motion Practice

• Assist case teams with procedural issues involving written discovery, depositions, subpoenas, expert discovery, and discovery motion practice.
• Support the calculation and management of discovery deadlines and procedural requirements.
• Advise on procedural aspects of motion practice, including dispositive motions, discovery motions, emergency applications, TROs, preliminary injunctions, and other applications.
• Assist with briefing schedules, notice periods, filing requirements, and hearing procedures.

Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Assist case teams with procedural matters before JAMS, the American Arbitration Association, and other arbitration forums.
• Advise regarding filing requirements, scheduling, discovery procedures, hearing logistics, and provider rules.
• Support procedural planning throughout arbitration proceedings.

Internal Litigation Resource

• Help develop and maintain firmwide guidance concerning litigation procedure and court practice.
• Prepare checklists, procedural guides, and other practical resources for litigation teams.
• Respond to procedural questions from partners, associates, and professional staff.
• Assist with training attorneys and staff regarding court rules, filing procedures, litigation deadlines, and changes in practice.
• Contribute to broader Managing Attorney’s Office initiatives, including improvements to docketing, court information, litigation workflows, and procedural knowledge management.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Approximately 1–5 years of relevant experience in litigation, a Managing Attorney’s Office, litigation operations, docketing, court services, or a comparable legal environment.
• Current litigation practice is not required.
• California Bar admission, eligibility for admission, or meaningful familiarity with California litigation practice is preferred.
• Strong interest in litigation procedure, court practice, and case management.
• Familiarity with electronic court filing systems, docketing, calendaring, and litigation deadlines.
• Experience working with court rules, local rules, standing orders, or judge-specific practices.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, jurisdictions, and procedural questions simultaneously.
• Strong judgment and an ability to communicate practical procedural guidance clearly to attorneys and professional staff.
• Intellectual curiosity and an interest in developing expertise across multiple jurisdictions.

Preferred experience in one or more of the following areas

• California state or federal court litigation.
• Federal court litigation.
• A law firm Managing Attorney’s Office or Managing Clerk’s Office.
• Litigation docketing and calendaring.
• Electronic court filing and filing procedures.
• Court rules, standing orders, and judge-specific practices.
• Litigation support or litigation operations.
• Discovery and motion practice.
• Arbitration proceedings.
• Procedural research and development of litigation guidance or practice resources.

Compensation: $203,000.00-$291,000.00, plus bonus