Associate Attorney – Public Safety Defense

A specialized Pasadena, California, law practice is seeking an Associate Attorney to handle matters involving police officers, firefighters, and other public safety employees.

The role focuses heavily on administrative investigations and disciplinary defense, with opportunities to handle civil rights litigation, administrative hearings, disciplinary appeals, depositions, motions, court appearances, and related matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent public safety employees in administrative investigations and disciplinary matters
• Participate in internal affairs investigations and administrative interviews
• Handle Skelly hearings, disciplinary appeals, civil service appeals, and arbitrations
• Handle civil rights litigation, including § 1983 matters
• Take and defend depositions
• Draft and argue motions
• Appear in state and federal court
• Address POBRA and FOBR matters
• Respond to critical incidents
• Manage matters from intake through resolution
• Communicate directly with clients regarding strategy and legal options

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant legal experience required; 4–7 years preferred
• Litigation-focused background
• Administrative, public-sector, public safety, civil rights, or public entity experience preferred
• Strong deposition and motion practice experience
• Administrative hearing or disciplinary proceeding experience
• Active California Bar license and in good standing
• JD from an accredited law school
• Ability to handle high-stakes, client-facing matters independently

Compensation & Work Environment

• $150,000–$175,000 depending on experience
• Discretionary bonus currently
• 1,900 annual billable hours
• On-site Pasadena position
• Significant travel to hearings, interviews, client meetings, and critical incidents
• 24-hour on-call rotation approximately one week per month, depending on team size

Salary Range: $150,000 to $175,000

Reference: 148835