JUNIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY Transportation and Infrastructure Law

Kaplan Kirsch LLP•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The firm is hiring a Junior Associate Attorney for its Rail, Transit, Highways, and Infrastructure practice. The associate will also support related environmental, energy, tribal, and real estate matters. They will work directly with partners, counsel, senior associates, and clients on litigation and transactional matters, including judicial and administrative proceedings, legal research, drafting memoranda, and drafting and negotiating contracts and operating agreements. Associates may collaborate across the firm’s practice areas and gain hands-on experience on public and private projects. The position is available 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 start date is flexible, targeting November 2026 through February 2027.

Requirements

Have 1 to 3 years of relevant transactional, administrative law, or litigation experience, or a judicial clerkship.
Demonstrate exceptional writing, analytical, research, and advocacy skills.
Be able to interact successfully with clients and colleagues.
Adapt quickly in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
Be comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
Show initiative, curiosity, and passion for the firm’s clients and work.
Have a law degree from an accredited law school and a record of academic excellence and leadership.
Be admitted to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction.

Nice To Haves

Admission in California, New York, Colorado, or the District of Columbia.
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 with transactional matters involving federal grant funding.
An entrepreneurial mindset and 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.

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 a variety of legal matters.
Draft pleadings in judicial and administrative litigation proceedings.
Conduct legal research and draft memoranda of law.
Draft and negotiate contracts and operating agreements.
Manage deadlines and multiple matters, and proactively complete transactions.
Take responsibility for client matters, delegate intelligently, and seek opportunities for personal improvement.