Associate Attorney (Civil Litigation)

Location: Northern California, with work based out of the Novato office and matters throughout Northern California and the greater San Francisco Bay Area; remote, hybrid, and onsite options are available.

Salary: $115,000–$160,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Annual billable-hours bonus eligibility starts at $10,000, with additional tiers of $7,500.

Company

Tyson & Mendes is a growing civil defense law firm focused on litigation, trial advocacy, attorney development, and leadership opportunities.

What you will do

• Develop case strategies that address complex factual and emotional arguments.
• Independently manage court appearances, depositions, motion practice, trials, and full caseloads.
• Handle litigation matters from discovery through trial preparation.
• Communicate professionally with clients and build relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Collaborate with attorneys and staff across experience levels.
• Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to team development.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active California Bar license required.
• 1–8 years of litigation experience, including case strategy, depositions, and trial preparation; 3+ years preferred.
• Ability to independently manage a full caseload from discovery through trial.
• Familiarity with litigation timekeeping and billing systems.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Nice to have

• Insurance defense experience.
• Experience in substantive civil litigation, plaintiff work, criminal litigation, construction, professional liability, or related practices.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote flexibility with access to the Novato office and support for hybrid schedules.
• Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and life insurance plans, including options with zero employee cost.
• 401(k) program with employer matching.
• Paid parental leave, flexible vacation, monthly technology reimbursement, and student loan repayment assistance or a 529 college savings plan for eligible full-time attorneys.
• In-house training, leadership development, firm-provided CLE programs, paid Bar license renewal fees, and a defined pathway to partnership.
• Collaborative office culture with regular team meetings, social events, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and charitable programs.