Junior Litigation Associate in Lake Forest, California at MUELLER CHRISTENSEN LLP

Real Work, From Day One.

Mueller Christensen LLP is looking for a Junior Litigation Associate with 2+ years of experience, someone early in their career who is hungry for real litigation work, not a paper-shuffling apprenticeship.

At a boutique firm, you will not spend your first two years reviewing documents in a windowless room. You will be in the work, drafting discovery, preparing for depositions, arguing routine motions, and building the skills that take years to develop at larger firms. You will also be seen. Partners will know your name because they will be working directly alongside you.

We are not looking for someone who already knows everything. We are looking for someone with strong fundamentals, a serious work ethic, and the instinct to figure out what they do not know yet.

We require 4 days per week in the office (Lake Forest), with 1 day per week available for remote work.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: approximately $140,000 annually, depending on experience
• Minimum billable requirement: 1,600 hours annually
• Bonus eligibility under a fixed formula based on hours and performance
• Retirement plan with firm matching
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• CLE and professional development support
• Paid time off and firm holidays
• Hybrid flexibility

$140,000 - $150,000 yearly

Mueller Christensen offers attorneys the chance to engage in real client contact, have genuine autonomy, and room to grow. Here is what this role looks like day to day:

• Draft and respond to written discovery across civil and probate matters under partner and senior attorney supervision
• Assist with deposition preparation (research, exhibit organization, outlines) and observe and support depositions as you develop toward taking them independently
• Research and draft motions, including oppositions, supporting memoranda, and routine law and motion work
• Appear in court on uncontested and routine matters, with a clear path toward more complex appearances as your experience grows
• Assist with case management across active matters, including deadlines, filings, client updates, and file organization
• Collaborate with partners and senior attorneys on case strategy, with increasing independence as you demonstrate judgment and capability

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active California Bar membership in good standing
• At least 2 years of civil or probate litigation experience
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Organized, deadline-driven, and capable of managing multiple matters without letting anything fall through the cracks
• Hungry to learn, willing to ask questions, and honest about what you do not know yet

We are a team of approachable, no-nonsense lawyers dedicated to solving problems and delivering real outcomes. Our practice areas include Probate and Trust Litigation, Business Litigation, and General Liability Defense. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming firm where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. (Yes, that means your Funko Pop collection and Harry Potter references will fit right in.) We’re grounded, but we also know how to laugh and celebrate our quirks.