Associate Attorney – Insurance Defense

Veliss Law, APC is a growing civil litigation and insurance defense firm seeking an Associate Attorney licensed in California with 2+ years of litigation experience.

At a glance: hybrid schedule (2–3 days per week in our San Diego office), direct mentorship from our managing partner, a performance-based bonus, attainable billable-hour expectations, and unlimited paid time off.

This role is a good fit for an associate with a solid foundation in civil litigation who is ready to take on more responsibility. You will handle your own caseload of insurance defense matters, including personal injury, automobile liability, premises liability, and construction defect cases, while building your deposition, motion, and trial skills. You will work closely with our managing partner on most of your cases and receive direct, day-to-day mentorship. As a small, growing firm, we offer early hands-on experience, direct contact with clients and insurance carriers, and a clear path to greater responsibility.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• Must reside in California within commuting distance of our San Diego office.
• 2+ years of civil litigation experience; insurance defense experience preferred.
• Experience drafting pleadings, written discovery, and motions.
• Deposition experience preferred, along with a willingness to take and defend depositions on your own.
• Experience with personal injury, automobile, premises liability, or other insurance defense matters is a plus.
• Trial experience is not required. Willingness to learn trial skills and second-chair trials with the managing partner is required.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Good judgment, including knowing when to work independently and when to ask for guidance.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to track deadlines across multiple active matters.

Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the managing partner, you will handle day-to-day work on an assigned caseload, including:

• Managing assigned files from initial assignment through discovery and resolution.
• Drafting pleadings, written discovery, discovery responses, and meet-and-confer correspondence.
• Drafting and arguing motions, including discovery motions, and assisting with dispositive motions.
• Taking and defending depositions of parties and lay witnesses, and assisting with expert depositions.
• Attending hearings and other court appearances.
• Preparing initial, status, and pre-trial reports to clients and insurance carriers, including evaluations of liability, damages, and exposure.
• Attending mediations and settlement conferences with the managing partner.
• Assisting with trial preparation, including witness preparation, exhibits, and motions in limine, and second-chairing trials.
• Communicating with clients, claims professionals, witnesses, experts, and opposing counsel.
• Maintaining timely and accurate billing entries consistent with carrier billing guidelines.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of $110,000–$195,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Performance-based bonus structure.
• Direct mentorship and hands-on trial training with the managing partner.
• A clear path to increased case responsibility as you grow.
• Attainable billable-hour expectations.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• Hybrid schedule: 2–3 days per week in our San Diego office, with flexible hours.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• No formal dress code.

We are looking for an associate who wants to grow as a litigator: someone organized, who takes ownership of their files and is eager to build trial skills in a supportive, growing practice.