Family Law Associate

 Family Law Overview 

 The global Family Law team has been independently rated as a market leader in Tier 1 categories of Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for many years. The department advises on all areas of family law, with a particular focus on the financial issues that arise when relationships are formalised or break down. Much of the work involves the negotiation and settlement of complex financial cases, often with an international perspective and further complicated by tax or trust issues.   

The family law team is supported by in-house experts in other areas of the firm including Private Client & Tax, Trust Litigation, Corporate and Employment.  They provide detailed advice at short notice for clients who are looking for the best location to file proceedings. 

 Another area of special interest is the resolution of disputes over children, including issues of custody, access, and the problems that may arise when one parent wishes to move to live outside California with the children. In addition, advice is given to trustees on the ramifications of a family member's marriage or separation. The global team has a very strong pre-nuptials practice, often with international elements. 

 The Role 

This role will sit in our Los Angeles office. 

Candidates should have a minimum of 2 to 5 years' experience practicing law in a law firm family law group and should have experience in giving advice on all areas of family law.    

• Handle contentious and non-contentious family matters for a variety of clients;
• Divorce matters including complex financial disputes, property division, and spousal support;
• Prepare and review marital agreements (prenuptial, postnuptial, and cohabitation agreements);
• Represent clients in child custody matters including paternity and visitation arrangements;
• Provide advice on all areas of family law; and
• Contribute to the team's profile and undertaking business development activities to establish, develop, and maintain long-term relationships; including, writing articles/posts, attending events/conferences and building networks with private wealth contacts/intermediaries including global and peer firms and counsel. 

 This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required. 

 Key Skills and Experience 

• Strong academic credentials;
• Between 2 – 5 years of experience practicing in a law firm's family law group;
• California Bar membership (in good standing) required;
• Able to work as an integrated member of the family team, with a goal of strengthening and expanding the reputation of the family department;
• Excellent drafting, writing, research and communication skills;
• Strong project management with an ability to balance a large number of competing priorities;
• In-depth analytical ability and intellectual curiosity;
• Attention to detail; and
• Team Player
• Compensation commensurate with experience ranging from $180,000 to $250,000

About Withers 

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 125 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives.

As the global private client firm, we are trusted advisors to families, founders, fiduciaries and businesses – and more than this, to governments, charities and financial institutions.

We structure, grow and preserve capital. We protect reputations and relationships, ideas and innovations. We secure our clients’ legacies across generations.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future, and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.
Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

We are delighted that we have been awarded Mansfield Certification Plus in relation to our recruitment and leadership progression efforts in the US and UK. This certification is an encouraging milestone as we continue to champion diversity within our organization and in the wider legal sector.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

For more information on Withers, please visit the following links: General Career Site, LinkedIn, About Us 

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement  

The firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics. 

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at (203) 789-1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.