JUNIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY Transportation and Infrastructure Law

Kaplan Kirsch LLP • San Francisco, CA

2d • $159,000 - $179,550 • Onsite

About The Position

The firm is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and collaborative Junior Associate Attorney to join its Rail, Transit, Highways, and Infrastructure practice. The role also supports related environmental, energy, tribal, and real estate matters as needed. The firm is a national boutique law firm serving clients that include state and local governments, transit agencies, airports, nonprofit organizations, and Native American tribes, and it works on complex public and private projects across the United States.

The associate will work closely with partners, counsel, senior associates, and clients on a range of matters, including litigation and transactional work. Responsibilities may include drafting pleadings for judicial and administrative proceedings, conducting legal research, drafting legal memoranda, and drafting and negotiating contracts and operating agreements. Associates collaborate across practice areas and receive hands-on responsibility, mentoring, and professional development, with a path toward partnership.

This is a full-time position based in New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; or Washington, DC. Associates have an annual expectation of 1,600 billable hours; approved pro bono hours count toward that target without limit. The firm targets a flexible start date between November 2026 and February 2027. Salary is $159,000–$179,550, commensurate with experience, with additional bonus compensation for associates who exceed minimum billable targets.

Requirements

• 1 to 3 years of relevant transactional, administrative law, or litigation experience, or a judicial clerkship.
• Exceptional writing, analytical, research, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to interact successfully with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, multitask, and manage deadlines.
• Comfort working independently and as part of a team.
• Initiative, action orientation, sound delegation, and commitment to personal improvement.
• Curiosity and passion for the firm's clients and work.
• Law degree from an accredited law school, with academic excellence and leadership.
• Admission to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

• Admission to practice in California, New York, Colorado, or the District of Columbia is preferred.
• Experience in the rail, transit, highways, or infrastructure sector.
• Experience with matters before the Surface Transportation Board, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, or state or local transportation agencies.
• Experience representing public transportation agencies.
• Experience in transactional matters involving federal grant funding.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a collegial, team-focused approach to practicing law.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including attentive listening, active engagement, and the ability to communicate complex matters effectively.
• Strength in the required competencies and genuine eagerness to learn, including for candidates new to the sector.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Rail, Transit, Highways, and Infrastructure practice and support related environmental, energy, tribal, and real estate matters as needed.
• Work directly with partners, counsel, senior associates, and clients on litigation and transactional matters.
• Draft pleadings for judicial and administrative litigation proceedings.
• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda of law.
• Draft and negotiate contracts and operating agreements.
• Manage matters and deadlines, including proactively completing transactions.
• Contribute to client matters independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Group term life insurance
• 401(k)
• Flexible paid time off (PTO)
• Parental leave
• Coverage of some public transportation costs
• Bonus compensation for associates who exceed minimum billable targets
• Approved pro bono hours count toward the annual billable-hour target without limit

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree