Careers
Our Culture
Horvitz & Levy offers a highly specialized environment devoted to the practice of appellate law and related litigation strategy and consultation. Our collegial culture promotes collaboration and provides an environment for attorneys and staff to work as a team in producing the best ideas and solutions for the firm’s clients. Clients are considered clients of the firm rather than of individual attorneys, and our lockstep compensation system for partners and associates supports the firm’s unique collaborative culture. Our hiring strategy and selection of candidates for elevation to partner are based on excellence as an appellate lawyer, commitment to upholding firm standards of practice, judgment, and the value brought to the firm’s clients and business.
The firm’s management committee, consisting of three partners in an alternating three-year term rotation, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the firm. A partner in charge of case assignments monitors the progress of cases and attorney workloads required to meet client needs. The firm provides in-house training for lawyers and staff on legal procedures and topics designed to improve the level of expertise and service. In addition, monthly attorney meetings provide an opportunity for open discussion of important practice issues, legal trends, client relationships, ethics, and diversity and inclusion programs.
Commitment to Diversity
Horvitz & Levy is highly committed to diversity and to providing a work environment that offers equal opportunity to attorneys and staff. We seek candidates who will contribute to the firm’s success regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender and gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status, disability, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status as defined and protected by law. The firm has adopted the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Pledge to Promote Diversity in the Legal Profession and is a signatory to the Call to Action co-sponsored by the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Women Lawyers’ Association of Los Angeles regarding the attraction, retention, and advancement of women lawyers.
In addition, Horvitz & Levy participates in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization whose members serve as either general counsel of major corporations or managing partners of leading law firms. Seven of our associates have been LCLD Fellows, two of whom are now partners at the firm. We also participate in LCLD’s fellows alumni program and its 1L Scholars program, which has allowed several diverse law students to obtain a preview of private appellate practice. The firm is also a member of the California Minority Counsel Program (CMCP), a state-wide non-profit association promoting diversity in the legal profession by providing attorneys of color with access and opportunity for professional development. Our attorneys also serve as mentors for The Appellate Project, which is committed to racial diversity, equity, and inclusion in the appellate field.
Pro Bono Matters
Horvitz & Levy is committed to public service. Many of our attorneys devote substantial time to bar association and judicial committees. Most importantly, the firm regularly makes its appellate expertise available in a varied array of pro bono cases. The firm has served as pro bono counsel both for parties and for amici curiae in the United States and California Supreme Courts, the United States Court of Appeals, and the California Court of Appeal. We have represented or collaborated with leading public interest advocacy groups such as the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law, The Alliance for Children’s Rights, Public Counsel, and NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund. Partners Jeremy Rosen, Mark Kressel, and Curt Cutting lead Pepperdine School of Law’s Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic, which has secured major victories in civil rights cases for clients unable to afford private counsel.
Work/Life Balance
Consistent with our commitment to producing the best possible work product and service for our clients, Horvitz & Levy’s unique collaborative culture provides an opportunity for personal growth and development. Attorneys and staff enjoy a collegial work environment which promotes better efficiency, a higher level of performance, and personal satisfaction in the practice of law. The collaborative team culture provides flexibility for meeting individual needs, resulting in a more balanced work and personal life. Our highly secure cloud-based technology and information technology allow flexible working arrangements when needed, with access to the information and tools necessary for meeting work demands.
The firm’s commitment to quality over quantity is reflected in attorney billable hour requirements. Likewise, the firm has a professional and experienced staff, with average tenures exceeding ten years. Work schedules are adapted as much as possible for both attorneys and staff to meet personal needs. Staff members are able to leverage flex-time and partners are eligible for a paid, six-week sabbatical every six years.