Welcome to Wallace, Richardson, Sontag & Le, LLP, a vibrant landlord-tenant law firm dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to our clients. If you’re passionate about real estate law and want to be part of a collaborative environment, you’ve come to the right place!
Open Positions
Senior Attorney
Base Compensation: $200,000 – $250,000+ (DOE)
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Irvine, CA (In-Person)
About Us
Wallace, Richardson, Sontag & Le, LLP is a high-volume California litigation firm representing landlords, property owners, property management companies, and financial institutions throughout the state. Based in Irvine, the firm has a substantial and growing unlawful detainer and housing litigation practice, with a strong presence in Orange County and Los Angeles County.
We are seeking an experienced landlord-tenant attorney ready to step into a senior, leadership-oriented role and help expand a well-established landlord-tenant and unlawful detainer platform. This position is designed for an attorney who has mastered the mechanics of unlawful detainers and is looking for greater autonomy, stronger economics, and a meaningful opportunity for long-term growth.
The Opportunity
This is not an entry-level or training position.
The successful candidate will:
- Assume responsibility for a substantial unlawful detainer and related litigation docket
- Serve as a senior point of contact for firm clients
- Help expand client relationships and firm capacity
- Play an active role in shaping litigation strategy, systems, and workflows
- Have a clear path to increased compensation tied to performance and growth
Attorneys with an existing book of business, or the desire and ability to develop one, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
- Lead unlawful detainer matters from notice review through trial and post-judgment proceedings
- Handle contested trials, evidentiary hearings, and settlement conferences
- Supervise and mentor junior attorneys and support staff, as appropriate
- Draft, review, and strategize pleadings, motions, oppositions, and replies
- Advise clients on litigation strategy, risk management, and operational issues
- Assist in expanding and strengthening client relationships
- Collaborate with firm leadership on workflow, staffing, and practice growth
Qualifications
- Active member in good standing with the State Bar of California
- Significant experience handling unlawful detainer matters
- Strong trial skills and courtroom presence
- Excellent legal writing, analytical, and issue-spotting abilities
- Professional, confident, and client-focused demeanor
- Entrepreneurial mindset with an interest in practice growth
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative firm culture
Schedule & Work Environment
- Full-time, in-person position
- Regular court appearances in Orange County and Los Angeles County
- High-autonomy role with meaningful decision-making responsibility
Compensation & Benefits
- Base compensation starting at $200,000–$250,000+, commensurate with experience
- Performance-based and growth-based compensation upside
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Mileage reimbursement for court travel
- Robust administrative and litigation support
Clear path for long-term growth, leadership, and advancement
Associate Attorney
Starting Compensation: $125,000 – $200,000 (commensurate with experience)
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Irvine, California
Benefits: 401(k) Matching | Paid Time Off
About the Position
We are seeking an Associate Attorney to join our landlord-tenant practice. Depending on experience and interest, the role may focus on litigation and court appearances, drafting legal correspondence and statutory notices, or a combination of both. This position offers flexibility in role emphasis, meaningful responsibility, strong support, and direct client interaction.
Responsibilities
- Draft legal correspondence and statutory notices
- Handle unlawful detainer cases and related civil litigation
- Appear in court for hearings, trials, and settlement conferences
- Review, analyze, and respond to pleadings filed by defendants
- Draft motions, oppositions, replies, and other litigation filings
- Propound and respond to written discovery
- Communicate with clients regarding case strategy, status, and resolution
Qualifications
- Active member in good standing with the California State Bar
- Strong legal writing and analytical skills
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Client-service oriented and highly organized
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Litigation experience preferred, but not required
Schedule & Work Environment
- Full-time position
- In-person work required
- Dedicated support staff
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary: Starting at $125,000 – $225,000 per year (commensurate with experience)
- 401(k) plan
- Mileage reimbursement for court travel
- Structured training and mentorship
- Courtroom and trial experience
- Direct client interaction and professional growth opportunities
Of Counsel – Landlord-Tenant Litigation (San Jose & Bay Area)
Compensation: Competitive; based on experience (per appearance, hourly, or salary arrangement)
Job Type: Of Counsel
Location: San Jose & Bay Area, California
Schedule: Flexible
About the Position
We are seeking an Of Counsel Attorney to handle unlawful detainer trials and hearings in San Jose and throughout the greater Bay Area. Our firm represents landlords, property owners, and property management companies in all aspects of landlord-tenant law, with an emphasis on eviction matters and housing-related disputes.
Responsibilities
- Serve as lead counsel in unlawful detainer trials, motion hearings, and settlement conferences in Santa Clara County and surrounding courts
- Appear in person for evidentiary hearings, case management conferences, and related proceedings
- Collaborate with firm partners and associates to prepare cases for trial, including review of pleadings, discovery, and witness preparation
- Provide litigation strategy and courtroom advocacy aligned with client objectives
Qualifications
- Attorney in good standing with the California State Bar
- Minimum of three years of litigation experience; unlawful detainer or real estate experience preferred
- Strong trial and courtroom advocacy skills
- Excellent written and oral communication abilities
- Ability to independently manage matters from pre-trial through verdict
Why Join Us
- Flexible Of Counsel structure focused on trial and hearing work
- Competitive compensation options
- Opportunity to build a long-term relationship with a growing firm
- Support from a dedicated team that prepares cases so you can focus on courtroom advocacy
Work Location: Primarily in-person court appearances in Santa Clara County and surrounding Bay Area courts.
Internships
We offer internship opportunities for law students looking to gain hands-on experience in landlord-tenant law. This is a great chance to learn and grow in a supportive environment.
How to Apply
If you’re excited about joining our team, please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and interest to ewallace@wallacelaw.com. We look forward to hearing from you!