Trial Attorney- Trust and Estate Litigation San Diego(La Jolla)

Lateral Partner - Trial Attorney- Trust and Estate Litigation San Diego

Lateral Partner - Trial Attorney- Trust and Estate Litigation San Diego

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Join The Estate Lawyers: Senior Litigation Attorney – Trust & Estate Litigation

At The Estate Lawyers, we protect trustees from getting sued and beneficiaries from getting screwed. We’re one of California’s most respected trust and estate litigation firms—and our San Diego office is the heart of it all.

This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to step into a high-impact role at our flagship office in Irvine- JWA Airport area. If you're a sharp, strategic litigator who wants to lead challenging cases, work alongside an exceptional team, and be part of a firm that’s redefining trust litigation, we want to meet you.

If you have trusted team members—paralegals, legal assistants, or associates—you enjoy working with and believe would add value, we welcome the opportunity to bring them on board with you.

Who This Role Is For

You’ll thrive here if you:

• Are a driven litigator with 5–8 years of experience (including trial, court appearances, depositions, mediations, and law and motion work)
• Have at least 2 years of heavy experience in trust and estate litigation and love the complexity of this area
• Can manage a case from inception to trial
• Are looking for more ownership, more challenge, and more growth
• Want to join a high-performing team at our headquarters and contribute to our continued leadership in this field
• Know how to lead a case and support staff while mentoring junior attorneys
• Communicate clearly and persuasively with clients, the court, and opposing counsel
• Enjoy collaborating with other litigators
• Have a winning reputation
• Embrace feedback and know how to give it constructively
• Live our values: Stay Hungry. Radical Candor. Radical Respect. Team Win / Client Win. No Jerks Allowed.

This Role Is Not For You If

• You prefer a slow-paced environment and need frequent reminders to stay on track
• Need oversight and just figuring out the ropes in trust and estate litigation
• You avoid direct client interaction or courtroom appearances
• You find feedback difficult or struggle to give direction to support staff
• You aren’t interested in contributing to a high-accountability, results-driven team culture

Education and Experience

• Active California Bar license in good standing
• 5–8 years of litigation experience, including depositions, court appearances, and motion practice
• 3+ years of dedicated trust and estate litigation experience
• Expert-level familiarity with the California Probate Code, Code of Civil Procedure, and Evidence Code
• Prior experience managing junior attorneys or paralegals is a plus

What You’ll Be Doing (and How You’ll Know You’re Crushing It)

You’ll be measured by your ability to:

• Lead and manage your own litigation caseload from intake to resolution
• Draft strategic pleadings and strong motions with minimal oversight
• Take and defend depositions; prepare for hearings and trials
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and the court
• Mentor junior attorneys and contribute to firm-wide strategy sessions
• Collaborate seamlessly with any existing team members you bring onboard

Core Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle trust and estate litigation matters through trial/resolution
• Supervise and delegate to assigned paralegals and legal assistants
• Participate in regular case review meetings and trial strategy sessions
• Assist in training and mentoring attorneys or legal staff as needed
• Collaborate across pods and offices to ensure consistent excellence and efficiency
• Work closely with any trusted professionals you integrate into our firm

What We Expect From This Role

• Ownership of deadlines, outcomes, and communication
• Accountability for results and proactive problem-solving
• Respectful, direct communication—internally and externally
• Contribution to a strong, collaborative, high-performance San Diego team

Why Join The Estate Lawyers?

We don’t just litigate—we lead. At TEL, you’ll find a firm that invests in your growth, respects your autonomy, and challenges you to be your best. We’re building something that lasts, and we’re looking for team players who want to be part of it.

Here’s what makes us different:

• Join our San Diego team and lead complex cases with impact to trial/resolution
• Smart Support – Work with top-tier paralegals, a skilled intake team, and firm-wide systems that let you focus on the law
• Mentorship + Growth – Structured support to help you grow toward partnership and beyond
• Culture You’ll Actually Like – Core values that we live by, not just print on the wall
• Real Litigation Work – Our cases don’t sit—we push toward trial or resolution
• Values-Driven Environment – Radical candor, radical respect, and no jerks allowed
• Room to Grow Together – We’re open to welcoming high-performing legal professionals you’ve already built synergy with
• Position Type: Full-Time / Exempt
• Compensation Range: $200,000 – $300,000 based on experience, plus bonuses
• Benefits Include:
• Unlimited paid time off
• Health, dental, and vision coverage with monthly firm contribution
• 401(k) with profit sharing
• Tech and CLE reimbursement
• Bar dues and professional development covered
• Quarterly team events and firm retreats
• Work Location: On-site in San Diego with hybrid flexibility after initial period

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Email your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to:

In your cover letter, please share:

• What excites you about trust and estate litigation
• Why you’re drawn to The Estate Lawyers
• What value you’ll bring to our San Diego team
• Whether there are team members you'd like to bring with you, and why

We can’t wait to meet you.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Legal

• Industries

  Law Practice

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