Attorney – Estate & Trust, Landlord–Tenant, Commercial Litigation

Location:

San Francisco Bay Area (Office in Mill Valley, CA)

Position Type:

Contract

Experience Level:

5–7 Years Preferred

About Us

We are a small, established Bay Area law firm serving clients primarily in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. Our practice focuses on estate and trust matters, commercial litigation, and landlord–tenant issues across some of the most dynamic courts and local jurisdictions in California. We value practical problem-solving, strong client relationships, and a supportive, collaborative environment where attorneys have direct responsibility and meaningful autonomy.

Position Summary

We are seeking a California-licensed Attorney to join our team as an independent contractor and handle estate and trust, commercial litigation, and landlord-tenant matters. The ideal candidate has experience in at least two of the firm’s core practice areas and is comfortable managing cases independently while working closely with partners and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Estate & Trust (Probate and Trust Administration)

• Prepare and file petitions, probate matters, and trust-related actions in the Probate Divisions of Bay Area superior courts (including familiarity with each court’s local rules, examiner notes, and tentative rulings process).
• Advise clients on estate planning matters and draft California-compliant wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents.
• Represent fiduciaries and beneficiaries in disputes, including accountings, trust contests, surcharge actions, and elder financial abuse claims.

Landlord–Tenant (Bay Area Residential & Commercial)

• Represent landlords and/or tenants in unlawful detainers, lease disputes, habitability claims, and negotiations.
• Draft and review Bay Area–compliant residential and commercial lease documents and notices.
• Navigate local ordinance frameworks such as: San Francisco Rent Ordinance, San Mateo County tenant protections, and Marin County housing/relocation rules (as applicable).
• Litigate and handle unlawful detainer mattes in Bay Area superior courts.

Commercial Litigation (California State Courts – Bay Area)

• Manage cases from intake through trial, focusing on civil litigation arising in Bay Area superior courts.
• Draft pleadings, law and motion work, and discovery under the California Code of Civil Procedure and relevant local rules.
• Conduct depositions, mediations, MSCs, and appear for hearings (remote and in-person) as required.
• Support trial preparation and courtroom proceedings.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active California Bar membership in good standing.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience; experience across multiple listed practice areas is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with the local procedures, filing systems, and court cultures of Bay Area superior courts.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent client-management and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload and work efficiently in a small-firm environment.
• Experience with courtroom appearances, settlement conferences, and probate examiner interactions preferred.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience.
• A collegial, flexible, and supportive work environment.
• Significant attorney autonomy with opportunities for professional growth.

How to Apply

Please email your resume to admin@craigsmillerlaw.com with the subject line: Attorney Application – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Pay: $100.00 - $175.00 per hour

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mill Valley, CA 94941