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Litigation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Prevail Recruiting

Litigation Paralegal

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Litigation Paralegal - No Billable Requirement Costa Mesa, CA - Onsite About the Role A well-established Orange County litigation firm is seeking an experienced Litigation Paralegal to support its ...

The Perillo Group

Litigation Attorney

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Litigation Attorney We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Litigation Attorney to join our legal team in Los Angeles. As a Litigation Attorney, you will be responsible for representing clients in ...

W3Global Inc.

Litigation Counsel

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Litigation Counsel will lead significant cases on behalf of client's public entity clients and supervise the litigation work of other team members. The team is at the forefront of litigation to hold ...

Aionios LLC

Litigation Attorney

Torrance, CA · On-site

$165K - $225K/yr

Defense Litigation Attorney Locations: Los Angeles, CA Experience: 4+ years litigation Our client, a growing mid-size law firm, is seeking a Defense Litigation Attorney to join its expanding ...

W3Global Inc.

Litigation Attorney

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$140K - $220K/yr

Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney (2-5 Years) Location: Newport Beach, CA Compensation: $140,000 - $200,000 annually (DOE) Schedule: Full-time | In-Person Practice Focus: Trust & Estate Litigation ...

Orion Placement

Litigation Paralegal

Lancaster, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Join a highly respected litigation team handling complex, high-impact cases from inception through trial. * Take on a true senior-level role with leadership responsibilities and the opportunity to ...

Flynn Group

Counsel, Litigation

San Francisco, CA

Counsel, Litigation Full time * San Francisco * Hybrid Flynn Group (together with its subsidiaries Apple American Group, Bell American Group, Pan American Group, RB American Group, Hut American Group ...

Eden Rose

Litigation Paralegal

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

Litigation Paralegal Location: San Francisco, CA Salary: $115,000-$140,000 + Benefits The Firm: A well-established national law firm is looking to add an experienced Litigation Paralegal to its San ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsLitigation JobsLitigation Jobs in California

Litigation information

See California salary details

$66.1K

$130.6K

$201.8K

How much do litigation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for litigation in California is $130,563.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,700.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is litigation?

Litigation is the legal process of resolving disputes between parties through the court system. It involves filing lawsuits, conducting investigations and discovery, presenting evidence, and making arguments before a judge or jury. Litigation can cover a wide range of issues, such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, and employment matters. The process is often complex and can be time-consuming, but it is sometimes necessary when other methods of dispute resolution, like negotiation or mediation, have failed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in litigation, and why are they important?

To thrive in litigation, you need a law degree, a license to practice, and a thorough understanding of legal research, case analysis, and courtroom procedures. Proficiency with legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management software, and e-discovery tools is essential. Outstanding oral and written communication, critical thinking, and negotiation skills help litigators stand out. These skills are crucial for building strong cases, effectively advocating for clients, and achieving favorable outcomes in complex legal disputes.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in litigation, and how can they prepare for them?

Professionals in litigation often encounter challenges such as managing heavy caseloads, meeting tight deadlines, and adapting to evolving case strategies. Handling complex legal research, preparing for court appearances, and coordinating with clients and colleagues can also be demanding. To prepare, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, stay up to date on legal developments, and cultivate effective communication with team members and clients. Learning to manage stress and prioritize tasks will help ensure success in the fast-paced litigation environment.

What is the difference between Litigation vs Paralegal?

AspectLitigationParalegal
Required CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), Bar AdmissionAssociate's degree or paralegal certificate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, corporate legal departmentsLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Job ResponsibilitiesRepresent clients in court, draft legal documents, manage casesLegal research, document preparation, case organization

Litigation involves practicing law, representing clients, and appearing in court, requiring a JD and bar admission. Paralegals support litigation by conducting research and preparing documents but do not practice law or appear in court. Both roles work in legal environments but differ significantly in responsibilities and credentials.

What is a career in litigation?

A career in litigation involves representing clients in legal disputes, including preparing cases, conducting research, and advocating in court. Litigation lawyers typically need strong analytical skills, knowledge of legal procedures, and may work long hours during trial preparation and hearings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Litigation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Litigation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Litigation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Litigation job openings:

Litigation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Litigation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 70% Physical, 14% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,563 per year, or $62.8 per hour.

Litigation Associate -- Full-Time, Remote

Wood Litigation, APC

Sonoma, CA • On-site

$230K - $280K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

THE SHORT VERSION


Wood Litigation, APC — a San Francisco real estate and business owner/investor litigation boutique — is hiring a full-time remote litigation associate with roughly 8–12 years of civil litigation experience. Base salary is $230,000–$280,000 depending on experience, with a 1,500-hour billable requirement guaranteed in your employment agreement. Hours above 1,500 are entirely optional — and paid. You will take and defend depositions, argue motions, and prepare and try cases, not push paper.


THE FIRM


Our clients are property owners, investors, founders and businesses in high-stakes disputes. The firm's results include a $10 million jury verdict for a Silicon Valley manufacturer against former officers who embezzled, a seven-figure settlement for founders of a digital marketing unicorn forced out by controlling shareholders, and a high six-figure arbitration award for a homebuyer in a nondisclosure case. You will work directly with the firm's principal, Greg Wood, a trial lawyer with more than twenty-five years of litigation experience whom other San Francisco lawyers regularly trust with their own clients' cases.


THE ROLE


The selected candidate will carry real responsibility from day one: managing their own matters, taking and defending depositions, writing and arguing dispositive motions, working directly with clients and experts, and preparing cases for trial and arbitration alongside the principal. This role is built to grow in responsibility, with long-term potential for partnership or succession for the right person.


WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR


• California bar admission

• Roughly 8–12 years of civil litigation experience

• Deposition experience — you will have taken at least 15 depositions and defended many more

• Trial experience — you don't need to have first-chaired anything, but you must have prepared cases for trial and participated in trials or arbitrations in some capacity

• Strong writing — most of our motion practice is dispositive or close to it

• Self-direction — this is a remote position at a small firm; nobody will be walking past your desk

• Bay Area residence strongly preferred (not required) — site visits, in-person depositions, court appearances and hearings are part of the job

• Experience in the areas we practice — real estate and business owner/investor litigation — is a plus


COMPENSATION AND STRUCTURE


• Base salary: $230,000–$280,000 (depending on experience) for a 1,500-hour billable year — the requirement is contractual, not a euphemism

• Hours you choose to bill above 1,500 are optional and paid at an additional hourly rate on top of your salary

• New client bonus: 10% of gross fee collections from clients you originate

• Health insurance (firm pays 50% of premium), 401(k), paid bar dues and CLE

• Flexible time off — no accrual caps or vacation-day counting; take reasonable time off so long as your hours are on track and your cases are covered

• Remote work, with in-person appearances as cases require


WHY THIS STRUCTURE


Most firms treat "work-life balance" as a slogan next to a 1,900-hour requirement. We built the opposite: the base salary is earned at 1,500 hours, full stop, because we want someone excellent for the long term and sustainable hours are how you get that.


Apply through LinkedIn. Candidates advancing to interviews will be asked for a writing sample (a motion or brief you substantially wrote). Principals only, please — no recruiters or search firms.


Wood Litigation, APC is an equal opportunity employer. The pay range for this position is $230,000–$280,000 in base salary, plus additional hours-based and origination compensation as described above.

Apply