Law Enforcement Defense Attorney

Location: California - Firmwide, including:

Responsibilities: Manage a caseload of complex civil litigation in California state and federal courts Defend law enforcement agencies and officers in matters involving: Officer-involved shootings Excessive force claims False arrest allegations Civil rights violations Constitutional claims Handle complex discovery issues in significant and high-profile litigation. Draft and argue motions and prepare appellate briefs, legal memoranda, and other substantive filings. Conduct and defend depositions. Participate in trial strategy, preparation, and support. Conduct sophisticated legal research involving constitutional and civil rights issues. Work closely with supervising partners while independently managing assigned matters. Communicate directly with law enforcement and public agency clients.

Base Salary: $158,000-$205,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Annual performance-based bonuses. Discretionary and billable-hours bonus opportunities. Reasonable billable-hours requirement. Mainly remote work arrangement for California-based attorneys. Competitive health insurance benefits. 401(k) with partial employer match. Strong opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and career advancement. Why This Opportunity This position provides the opportunity to handle sophisticated and high-profile law enforcement defense matters involving significant civil rights and constitutional issues. Attorneys gain substantive responsibility across all stages of litigation, including complex discovery, depositions, motion practice, appellate work, and trial preparation, while working alongside experienced litigators. Direct Counsel is committed to connecting exceptional legal talent with premier legal employers and fostering inclusive hiring practices.