Associate Attorney — Become a Trial Attorney
0–2 Years of Experience | $100,000–$200,000 | Hefley Law, APC | Torrance, California
Learn to litigate. Prepare cases for trial. Still have a life outside work.
Hefley Law, APC is seeking a newly admitted or early-career California attorney who wants to become a skilled litigator and trial attorney.
This is not a position where you will spend your first several years waiting for meaningful responsibility. You will work directly with experienced attorneys—including Christopher M. Hefley, a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law—and develop practical skills across the full life of a case.
We take our clients, our work, and professional development seriously. We also believe talented attorneys do their best work when they have time for family, friends, health, and a fulfilling personal life.
What You’ll Learn and Do
With training and supervision appropriate to your experience, you will:
- Develop litigation strategy and evaluate claims
- Draft pleadings, trial briefs, legal memoranda, and persuasive correspondence
- Conduct discovery and take depositions
- Work directly with clients, witnesses, medical professionals, and opposing counsel
- Attend conferences and hearings before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board
- Negotiate settlements and develop strategies for efficient case resolution
- Prepare exhibits, witnesses, and arguments for trial
- Assist with—and progress toward handling—your own trials
- Gain exposure to Labor Code section 132a and serious-and-willful-misconduct claims
Responsibility will grow with your skills. You will not be expected to know everything on your first day, but you will be expected to bring curiosity, sound judgment, preparation, and a genuine desire to improve.
Why Hefley Law?
Hefley Law is a full-service workers’ compensation defense firm representing insurance carriers, self-insured employers, third-party administrators, and government employers throughout California.
Our attorneys handle matters from the opening of a claim through discovery, the medical-legal process, settlement, and trial. The firm appears before Workers’ Compensation Appeals Boards throughout the state and, when required, in California’s Superior and appellate courts.
For a new attorney, that means an opportunity to understand how cases are built, defended, negotiated, and tried—not simply complete isolated assignments without seeing the larger strategy.
You can expect:
- Direct access to experienced litigators
- Practical training and candid, constructive feedback
- Early exposure to depositions, hearings, negotiations, and trials
- Meaningful client contact
- Increasing independence as your abilities develop
- A collegial workplace that values respect, inclusion, and contribution
- Reasonable expectations and respect for your time outside work
- A long-term opportunity to grow with the firm
Who We’re Looking For
You may be a strong fit if you:
- Are an active member of the California Bar or are awaiting admission
- Have zero to two years of attorney experience
- Want to develop into a confident litigator and trial attorney
- Communicate clearly and write persuasively
- Are organized, dependable, and attentive to detail
- Welcome feedback and want to keep improving
- Take ownership of assignments while knowing when to ask for guidance
- Enjoy strategy, negotiation, advocacy, and solving difficult problems
- Want high professional standards without a culture that glorifies burnout
Workers’ compensation experience is welcome but not required. We are prepared to teach the practice area to the right candidate.
Experience gained through a judicial externship, legal clinic, moot court, mock trial, certified law clerk position, internship, or similar program will also be valued.
Compensation and Benefits
Hefley Law offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes:
- Annual salary of $100,000–$200,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated capabilities
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick leave
- Paid firm holidays
- Payment of approved continuing legal education expenses
- Payment of California Bar dues
- Professional development, mentorship, and increasing responsibility
How to Apply
Please email your résumé, a brief cover letter, and a writing sample to:
Christopher M. Hefley
[email protected]
Your cover letter does not need to sound like a law-school assignment. Tell us why litigation interests you, what you want to learn during your first years of practice, and what you value in a workplace.
Hefley Law, APC maintains a workplace founded on respect, inclusion, care, and consideration. We hire for diversity, provide a positive and open working environment, compensate fairly, and reward positive contribution and service.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $200,882.59 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
