Litigation Attorney - California

Scale LLP • San Francisco, CA

9h • Remote

About The Position

Scale LLP, a modern, fully distributed law firm, is seeking a midlevel attorney to join our growing litigation practice in California. Our firm is built for high-performing attorneys who want the freedom to shape and grow their practices, own their career path, and manage direct client relationships without the bureaucracy and overhead of traditional Big Law.
Who We Are:
Scale LLP is a national, full-service law firm built for the realities of modern legal practice. Founded by former tech GCs, Scale was created to rethink the traditional law firm model - removing inefficiency and outdated economics while preserving what matters most: exceptional legal work, sophisticated clients, and professional credibility. Our mission? Build the best remote law firm in the country. Scale provides attorneys with a modern practice model that aligns ownership, autonomy, and economics with the value attorneys create for their clients. Scale's attorneys work for a variety of clients across Corporate, Intellectual Property, and Litigation practice groups. Originally founded to support innovative startups, Scale has evolved into a trusted partner for clients at every stage — from emerging ventures to mature enterprises and public companies.
How We Work:
Scale attorneys operate within a transparent, collections-based compensation model intentionally designed to align compensation with ownership and responsibility. Economics are linear and predictable, allowing attorneys to clearly see the connection between the work they do for clients and the value they create. The model is designed to support sustainable, high-quality practices - without opaque formulas, partnership taxes, or unnecessary politics.
Who We're Seeking:
We’re looking for experienced (5+ years) litigators with particular expertise in commercial litigation who aim to expand their practice with a national firm.
Scale is built for experienced attorneys who want greater ownership over how they practice law while continuing to do high-caliber, meaningful work. Our model is a strong fit for attorneys who are client-ready, value autonomy paired with accountability, and enjoy building their practices within a collaborative, national firm.
Association as Counsel. We are willing to accept attorneys from senior in-house positions with no demonstrable book as counsel. Because the firm’s collections-based model only works for attorneys capable of developing client work, however, we require applicants to identify at least one anchor client and articulate a clear business development plan at association.
Partnership. To be considered for a lateral partnership, we ask that applicants be prepared to demonstrate a significant transferrable book of originations. Attorneys who have less are welcome to apply for a position as counsel.
You are an ideal fit if:
You have experience managing all aspects of civil litigation (defense side), from researching legal issues, drafting and arguing motions, preparing written discovery, handling depositions, and attending and preparing for trials, arbitrations, and mediations.
You have experience directly communicating with clients to advise them of litigation risk and exposure, make strategic recommendations on litigation approach, and effectively manage litigation from start to finish.
You are a self-starter and want to build a litigation practice founded on supporting a wide-range of industries and diverse client base.
You are currently advising local clients that have national litigation needs.
You would benefit from plugging into a national team to expand your practice.
Experience in financial services/general civil defense litigation is a plus.

Requirements

• At least seven years of experience at a national or regional law firm OR in-house with a reputable company plus prior experience in private practice.
• Graduated from a top-tier law school or be able to demonstrate an excellent and sustained reputation in the industry.
• An interest in having autonomy over your own practice while simultaneously teaming up with top-notch attorneys across our corporate and intellectual property practices.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in financial services/general civil defense litigation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• managing all aspects of civil litigation (defense side), from researching legal issues, drafting and arguing motions, preparing written discovery, handling depositions, and attending and preparing for trials, arbitrations, and mediations.
• directly communicating with clients to advise them of litigation risk and exposure, make strategic recommendations on litigation approach, and effectively manage litigation from start to finish.
• build a litigation practice founded on supporting a wide-range of industries and diverse client base.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed