Associate Attorney

Latitude Legal is seeking an experienced California-licensed Litigation Attorney (1-4 years) to join a nationally recognized construction litigation law firm in its Orange County office on a full-time, contract or permanent basis. This is an in-office role within a collaborative, mentor-driven environment where associates work closely with senior partners on complex matters involving construction disputes, delay claims, mechanics liens, and surety issues for major contractors, design professionals, and industry stakeholders.

This position is ideal for a junior litigator who wants significant substantive responsibility early, top-tier training in a specialized practice, and exposure to sophisticated matters that move quickly. You’ll support senior attorneys with the heavy lifting of litigation (e.g., legal research and writing, drafting, analysis, discovery, and strategic support) with opportunities for oral argument, depositions, and client contact as your experience grows. This is a fully in-office position, and the firm is open to either a contract or contract-to-hire engagement structure, depending on the Candidate’s goals and fit.

What You'll Do Includes

• Conduct legal research and analysis focused on California construction, contract, and surety law.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests/responses, and other litigation documents.
• Assist in evaluating and preparing delay claims, mechanics lien issues, and surety matters (performance/payment bond disputes, indemnity, tender/defense issues, etc.).
• Support fact development, document review, damages analysis, and case strategy preparation.
• Coordinate with senior partners on law and motion practice, discovery management, and trial preparation.
• Participate in oral arguments, depositions, and hearings where experience and readiness support it.
• Maintain organized litigation files, track deadlines, and support case management across multiple matters.
• Collaborate with a close-knit team that values professionalism, responsiveness, and exceptional client service.

Who You Are

• California-licensed attorney with at least 1 year of litigation experience, ideally involving construction, commercial, or surety matters.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills; familiarity with California law and civil procedure required.
• Highly organized and proactive, capable of managing assignments and communicating effectively with partners, clients, and team members.
• Eager to learn specialized areas such as delay claims, mechanics liens, and surety law—prior exposure a plus but not required.
• Collaborative and professional, with a strong work ethic and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented office.
• Licensed to practice law in California and in good standing.
• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Outstanding references
• Must be available to work on-site full-time in the firm's Irvine, CA office

Position Details

• Type of Role: Engagement-to-Hire / Permanent
• Schedule: Full-Time
• Location: On-Site (Irvine, CA)

Compensation

• Pay: The annualized pay for this position ranges from $180,000 to $200,000 when calculated on a full-time basis. Pay for contract engagements is based on multiple factors including but not limited to work experience, qualifications, credentials, location, market supply/demand, and the candidate’s preference (each candidate’s pay rate affects the client bill rate which can affect the candidate’s competitiveness for the position).
• Benefits: In addition to salary, Latitude Engaged Professionals are W2 employees of Latitude and are eligible for full benefits when working in roles for 20 hours per week, including a Qualified 401k plan. Benefits-eligible Latitude employees receive complimentary Group Life, LTD and AD&D and professional liability insurance. Latitude Attorneys also receive a CLE and Professional Expense stipend.

Confidentiality

Latitude will not propose you to prospective clients without your prior consent. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

About Latitude

Latitude is a full-service flexible legal talent company serving corporate legal departments and law firms nationwide. From Fortune Global 100 companies to start-ups and Global 50 law firms to boutiques, clients turn to us for top-tier attorneys and other legal professionals.

Latitude specializes in providing highly skilled former in-house counsel and Big Law attorneys for flexible contract engagements and permanent positions in dozens of practice areas, including commercial contracting, data privacy, M&A, employment, litigation, and more.

Founded in 2013, Latitude is a Chambers & Partners globally-ranked flexible legal staffing company.

Latitude Contract Engagements & Secondments

Outstanding attorneys and other legal professionals who are seeking contract assignments or consulting/secondment roles choose to work with Latitude because of our competitive compensation and benefits, sophisticated and engaging work, a chance to work with great clients and peers, and a refreshing blend of freedom with self-designed boundaries. Our own experience as practicing attorneys and our client relationships enable us to effectively tailor our candidate proposals to the specific practice strengths and interpersonal attributes that matter most to our clients and to match our candidates with the opportunities that will be most fulfilling to them.

Our Specialty: Peer-Level Contract Attorneys. Latitude Attorneys have the level of skill, experience, and judgment as would be expected of a permanent member of our client’s corporate legal department or law firm and the versatility to step into challenging environments and hit the ground running. Latitude Attorneys serve on a full- or part-time contract basis and work remotely or on-site at the client office.

Permanent Positions

Outstanding legal professionals who are seeking permanent positions choose to work with Latitude because of our deep market knowledge, career advocacy and extensive client base. Our own practice experience and client relationships enable us to effectively tailor our candidate proposals to the specific practice strengths and interpersonal attributes that matter most to our clients and to match our candidates with the opportunities that will be most fulfilling to them.

FAQ

Q: What other legal jobs do you have?

A: If you’re interested in working with Latitude but do not think this particular legal job is the right one for you, we encourage you to explore our other open opportunities or fill out a General Application by visiting us at?https://latitudelegal.com/jobs/

Q: Should I apply for this specific position if I have previously applied for another Latitude position?

A: Yes, it is better to apply to each Latitude job for which you are qualified and interested so that we immediately know of your interest in that specific role. This also enables you to share additional information about your qualifications or interest specific to each role. If you do not meet all of the qualifications for a position but think you would still be highly effective in the role, it can be helpful to include a brief explanation in your application.

Q: How can I reduce the risk of missing Latitude’s email inviting me to interview for this position?

A: Please safe-list Latitude’s URL domain name (latitudelegal.com) in your spam filter so that an email from one of our recruiters does not get caught in your spam folder. Our recruiters will never contact you by email from a URL other than latitudelegal.com

Q: My current legal team needs help. How can I see Latitude candidates for my legal team?

A: The fastest way is to submit the very short form on our website contact page. A member of our client services team will be back in touch with you very fast to learn more about your need so we can provide you with on point candidates to consider.

For more information about Latitude, please visit us at https://latitudelegal.com.

• Follow Latitude on LinkedIn
• See More Latitude Jobs
• See Complimentary Latitude Resources
• Find a Great Attorney or Other Legal Professional for your Legal Team

Thank you for your interest in Latitude!

Latitude is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

LATSD

15512