Current Openings

Lateral Attorney Candidates

The firm is always interested in hearing from talented attorneys with experience in any of the firm’s practice areas. If you don’t see a position specific to your experience posted below, you are encouraged to submit your hiring materials and express your interest here: Lateral Attorney Application

First-Year Associate Candidates

Most of the firm’s first-year associate hiring needs are filled by way of our Summer Associate program. You may submit your materials to our applicant tracking system for consideration in the event an opportunity becomes available here: First Year Associate Application

Recruiting Professionals/Agencies

Professional recruiters and search/placement firms must have signed terms and conditions on file with Downey Brand prior to submitting candidates.

Sacramento

Natural Resources Associate or Counsel

Date Posted: August 22, 2023

The firm has an opportunity for an experienced attorney to join its Natural Resources Practice Group in Sacramento. This position involves representation of public and private-sector clients statewide in a broad range of environmental matters. The successful candidate may be hired as an associate, senior associate, or counsel, depending upon their experience in the desired range of 4-12 years.

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The candidate should have significant experience in environmental litigation in state and/or federal courts (including claims assessment, discovery, law and motion practice, and preparation of administrative records), administrative enforcement, and permitting and regulatory compliance. Knowledge in the areas of CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Fish & Game Code, endangered species, and/or related fields is desired.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent analytical skills, and an attention to detail. The candidate should be a self-starter who enjoys client and matter responsibilities and challenging natural resources assignments within a legislative and regulatory landscape that changes often. A distinguished academic record, as well as exceptional research and writing skills, are required. Associate base compensation is lockstep and determined by class year, substantive experience, and geography. Salary for attorneys at the level of experience indicated ranges from $160,000.00-$198,000.00, for associates, and from $199,000.00-$230,000.00, for counsel. Bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Information about training, mentoring, and benefits may be found here. Must be a current, active member of the California State Bar.

With one of the state’s largest natural resources practices, Downey Brand has built a solid reputation as a leader in water, environmental, and natural resources law. Its attorneys counsel clients on compliance strategies and regularly appear in some of the most complex resources disputes in the west.

Please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript and a brief, recent writing sample to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director. Downey Brand LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No telephone calls, please. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

Submit Resume

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Litigation Associate – Family Law

Date Posted: August 30, 2023

The firm’s Litigation practice group seeks a mid-level or senior-level associate with at least 3 years of experience to join the Sacramento office in their family law practice. Applicants need not have experience in family law, but must have significant experience in civil litigation.

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Downey Brand’s family law practice handles sophisticated family law issues for clients throughout California. We are looking to hire an associate with a distinguished academic record and exceptional research and writing skills. Because family law associates have substantial client contact and make regular court appearances, strong verbal communication skills are required. Applicants also must have significant experience with all aspects of discovery and law and motion practice. Familiarity with basic business valuation principles, financial statements and tax concepts is preferred, but not required. Experience in family law is a plus. Must be a current, active member of the California Bar Association, and be willing to relocate to Sacramento if not from the area.

Associate base compensation is determined by class year and substantive experience, and salary for attorneys at the level of experience indicated ranges from $152,000.00-$198,000.00. Bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Information about training, mentoring, and benefits may be found here. Please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and a brief, recent writing sample that demonstrates the candidate’s analytical skills to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director via the firm’s web application.

Downey Brand LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No telephone calls or e-mail applications, please.

Submit Resume

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Business Litigation Associate

Date Posted: August 30, 2023

The firm’s Sacramento Office is seeking to hire a 3-5 year associate attorney for its business litigation practice. Applicants should have significant experience with all aspects of discovery and law and motion practice.

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Clerkship experience is a plus, but not required. A distinguished academic record and exceptional research, writing and verbal communication skills are essential. The successful candidate will have strong public speaking and advocacy skills. Associate base compensation is determined by class year and substantive experience, and salary for attorneys at the level of experience indicated ranges from $152,000.00-$168,000.00. Bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Information about training, mentoring, and benefits may be found here. Must be a current, active member of the California State Bar and be willing to relocate to Sacramento if not from the area.

For consideration, please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and a brief, recent writing sample that demonstrates the candidate’s analytical skills to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director, via the firm’s web application. Downey Brand LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No telephone calls or e-mail applications, please.

Submit Resume

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Employment Litigation Associate

Date Posted: August 30, 2023

The firm's Employment practice group seeks a mid to senior level associate (3-5 years) for its employment litigation practice in Sacramento. Experience defending and advising corporate employers against wage and hour, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination claims in California state and federal courts desired.

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Candidates must also have significant law firm litigation experience drafting motions, arguing law and motion matters, and taking and defending depositions. Distinguished academic record and exceptional research, writing and verbal communication skills are essential. Associate base compensation is determined by class year and substantive experience, and salary for attorneys at the level of experience indicated ranges from $152,000.00-$168,000.00. Bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Information about training, mentoring, and benefits may be found here. Must be a current, active member of the California State Bar and be willing to relocate to Sacramento if not from the area.

Please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and a brief, recent writing sample that demonstrates the candidate’s analytical skills electronically to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director, via the firm’s web application. Downey Brand LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No telephone calls or e-mail applications, please.

Submit Resume

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San Francisco

Natural Resources Associate or Counsel

Date Posted: August 22, 2023

The firm has an opportunity for an experienced attorney to join its Natural Resources Practice Group in San Francisco. This position involves representation of public and private-sector clients statewide in a broad range of environmental matters. The successful candidate may be hired as an associate, senior associate, or counsel, depending upon their experience in the desired range of 4-12 years.

Read More


The candidate should have significant experience in environmental litigation in state and/or federal courts (including claims assessment, discovery, law and motion practice, and preparation of administrative records), administrative enforcement, and permitting and regulatory compliance. Knowledge in the areas of CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Fish & Game Code, endangered species, and/or related fields is desired.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent analytical skills, and an attention to detail. The candidate should be a self-starter who enjoys client and matter responsibilities and challenging natural resources assignments within a legislative and regulatory landscape that changes often. A distinguished academic record, as well as exceptional research and writing skills, are required. Associate base compensation is lockstep and determined by class year, substantive experience, and geography. Salary for attorneys at the level of experience indicated ranges from $188,000.00-$226,000.00, for associates, and from $244,000.00-$270,000.00, for counsel. Bonus consideration is given for productivity and performance. Information about training, mentoring, and benefits may be found here. Must be a current, active member of the California State Bar.

With one of the state’s largest natural resources practices, Downey Brand has built a solid reputation as a leader in water, environmental, and natural resources law. Its attorneys counsel clients on compliance strategies and regularly appear in some of the most complex resources disputes in the west.

Please address cover letter, resume, law school transcript and a brief, recent writing sample to Maureen Cooper, Recruiting Director. Downey Brand LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No telephone calls, please. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

Submit Resume

Read Less