Placing People First!

Senior Associate

§ Practice Area: State and Local Tax (SALT) / Real Estate Valuation & Controversy / California Ad Valorem & Transfer Taxation

§ Location: Silicon Valley, CA

§ Salary: $260,000 to $435,000 Base Salary (Subject to experience and technical proficiency)

Comprehensive health and wellness benefits; Negotiated service rates and out-of-network coverage; Performance-based bonuses; Professional development and mentorship within a premier national tax practice.

§ Schedule: Full-time, Direct-Hire, Minimum 1,850 hours annual billed

§ The Firm:

Our client is a storied AmLaw 100 global powerhouse with a legacy spanning over 150 years. Founded in the late 19th century and instrumental in the incorporation of some of the world’s most iconic energy and technology conglomerates, the firm has evolved into a leading advisor at the intersection of innovation and complex regulation. This firm is consistently recognized by Chambers USA with Tier 1 national and regional rankings, particularly within its State and Local Tax (SALT) group, which is widely regarded as one of the preeminent practices in the United States.

With multiple Chambers Band 1 practitioners leading the team, the firm represents over 20% of the Fortune 50 in high-stakes tax controversies and sophisticated planning. They are celebrated for their "unrivaled strength" in California tax matters and have been named by BTI Consulting as one of the Top 25 Most Recommended Law Firms by General Counsel for consecutive years. The firm offers a collegiate yet high-performance environment, providing associates with immediate exposure to top-tier clients across the technology, renewable energy, and life sciences sectors.

§ Duties:

The incoming Associate will join a dynamic and fast-paced practice focused on complex California property and transfer tax matters. This role involves a strategic blend of high-level transactional planning and aggressive administrative and judicial litigation. The successful candidate will navigate the intricacies of ad valorem taxation for a diverse portfolio of industrial, commercial, and large-scale residential assets.

Core responsibilities include:

⨖ Conducting sophisticated legal and factual research regarding property tax exemptions, exclusions, and valuation methodologies.

⨖ Strategizing and managing case development for assessment appeals, from initial audit defense through local boards and appellate courts.

⨖ Advising global institutional investors and corporate clients on the tax implications of high-value acquisitions, dispositions, and legal entity transfers.

⨖ Drafting persuasive legal briefs, valuation petitions, and advisory memoranda for varied audiences, including assessors, administrative judges, and C-suite executives.

⨖ Engaging in oral advocacy during formal hearings and negotiations with government personnel to achieve favorable valuation settlements.

⨖ Collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate tax-efficient structures into broader real estate and corporate transactions.

§ Qualifications:

Absolute requirements for the role include:

⨖ Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school with an exemplary academic record.

⨖ Active Bar License in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with a mandatory commitment to obtain California State Bar membership.

⨖ Four (4) to Six (6) years of substantive experience in property tax, valuation, or complex SALT litigation.

⨖ Proven track record in a high-volume, "BigLaw" or top-tier accounting firm environment.

⨖ Exceptional analytical skills with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex financial and valuation data.

§ Skills:

The following preferential qualifications will enable an individual to thrive in this elite practice

⨖ Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling as it pertains to real estate valuation.

⨖ Prior experience handling "change in ownership" (Proposition 13) issues and complex legal entity transfer exclusions in California.

⨖ Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to manage frequent and high-level client interactions independently.

⨖ A background in litigation or administrative controversy that includes appearing before local assessment appeal boards or tax tribunals.

⨖ Strong project management capabilities and the initiative to lead case strategy in a collaborative team setting.

!Notice¡

This a job advertisement on behalf of our client and does not reflect the full job description for the role. Any qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. You will need to provide law school transcripts, a writing sample or deal sheets, and a cover letter in order to be considered for this role. This posting does not constitute an offer of employment. and the listed compensation details may vary by state or experience and will be discussed thoroughly during interview phase.