Senior Trial Attorney: Lead Counsel (Criminal Defense)

Base Salary: $175,000 – $215,000  Uncapped Net Profit Sharing Bonus Location: In-Person (San Jose or Monterey/Salinas Offices) Expansion: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties

You are the "trial dog"—an experienced courtroom warrior with the scars to prove it. You have mastered the technical skills and are known for your hard-nosed courtroom advocacy, but you know that something is missing because you are trapped in a system that treats human beings like file numbers. You are tired of the assembly-line model where "success" is measured by volume rather than impact. You are ready to be paid for your excellence, not just your seniority, while practicing law that actually changes lives and protects rights.

At Pernik Law, we identify the underlying reasons behind our clients’ legal problems and develop effective solutions that become the center of our advocacy in court.

• WE DEFEND: We solve the case through investigative excellence and litigation designed to dismantle dishonest allegations and expose government misconduct.

• WE RESTORE: We identify the clinical root of the crisis. We develop treatment-based solutions (Mental Health/Addiction) that become the focal point of our courtroom advocacy.
  

• Trial Mastery: 7–12 years of experience with 20–25 jury trials taken to verdict as lead counsel, including at least 10 serious California felony cases.
• Clinical Command: Deep understanding of competency (PC 1368), sanity (PC 1026), and experience litigating contested mental health diversion motions.
• Special Populations: Experience with special needs populations and collaborating with forensic specialists.
• Bilingual Plus: Proficiency in Spanish is a significant plus but not required.
• In-Person: This is NOT a remote position.
  

To be considered for this role, you must complete our Candidate Case & Trial Strategy Questionnaire via the link below.

https://forms.gle/25hPqpTp2E7V2N2k9