Senior Business Disputes Attorney

Bend Law Group, a respected boutique firm serving startups and small businesses, is hiring a Senior Business Disputes Attorney to play a key leadership role on its litigation team. This is more than just a remote role with flexibility — it’s an opportunity for a seasoned litigator to shape the future of a growing practice group, mentor younger attorneys and do deeply rewarding work with a team that values results and client relationships.

If you’ve been looking for a rare blend of leadership, autonomy, flexibility and high-level commercial litigation, this role checks all the boxes. Strong communication and client follow-through are essential — we’re looking for someone who sees communication as part of their advocacy, not a distraction from it.

About Bend Law Group

Bend Law Group is a boutique law firm built for entrepreneurs. Headquartered in San Francisco and operating remotely in several states and two other countries, we help small businesses grow and protect what they’ve built — from day one through high-stakes disputes. Our mission is to empower business owners with legal guidance that’s clear, strategic and genuinely supportive.

We offer the sophistication of a big firm without the rigidity or ego, and we take pride in being a firm clients and colleagues enjoy working with. We’re known for our accessible, tech-enabled, and values-driven approach. We run lean, collaborate generously, and give our clients the same advice we’d give to friends and family. And we’re proudly at the lowest end of the “law firm jerkiness” bell curve — a place where great lawyers can do great work without burning out or compromising who they are.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership position at a growing, values-driven firm and help lead a practice dedicated to serving sophisticated small businesses and high-net-worth entrepreneurs in complex, high-stakes commercial disputes.

We are not looking to handle every business dispute that comes through the door. We are selective about our clients and focused on representing high-net-worth entrepreneurs and small business owners in matters that involve real risk, real relationships, and real complexity — typically at the six- or seven-figure level. You’ll help us deepen that focus, refine our client mix, and continue building a disputes practice that delivers high value, high trust, and high impact.

You’ll work directly on the problems that matter most to our ideal clients: disputes between co-founders and equity holders, fraud or breach of fiduciary duty, broken contracts, trade secrets, and other high-stakes commercial conflicts. Your work will be strategic, personal, and profitable — and your role central to how BLG shows up for the clients we most want to serve. If you’re the kind of litigator who enjoys solving complex problems, building strong client relationships, and helping define a focused, rewarding practice — you’ll thrive here.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

Substantive Legal Work

• Lead strategy and execution for complex commercial matters
• Draft and respond to complaints, motions, and discovery
• Take and defend depositions
• Handle mediation, arbitration, and remote court appearances
• Manage client relationships and expectations directly through proactive, clear, and timely communication
• Assess risk and litigation exposure while aligning with client business goals

Team Leadership, Delegation & Mentorship

• Serve as second-in-command of the business disputes team
• Delegate work strategically to junior attorneys to maximize efficiency and development
• Supervise junior attorneys to ensure work quality, consistency and alignment with firm standards
• Mentor attorneys with two and four years of experience to support their growth, confidence and independence
• Review and refine briefs, filings and strategies from junior team members
• Participate in weekly team check-ins to align, support and share insight

Practice Group Development

• Collaborate with firm leadership on the growth and structure of the litigation group
• Help evolve internal systems and templates for efficient litigation management
• Maintain responsibility for your own docket and litigation practice area development

Common Case Types You Will Handle

• Co-founder and equity holder disputes involving stock or company control
• Breach of fiduciary duty and fraud claims among business owners
• Complex breach of contract disputes involving six- or seven-figure damages
• Trade secret misappropriation or misuse of confidential business information
• Strategic IP-related disputes affecting business continuity or valuation
• Commercial real estate or investment-related litigation involving ownership or deal terms

These are not commodity matters. We focus on disputes where the outcome significantly affects company ownership, valuation or founder relationships — and where clients value smart, strategic advocacy from a trusted legal partner.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
• Active California Bar license in good standing (federal court admission, especially Northern District of CA, is a plus)
• 10+ years of litigation experience, including complex business/commercial disputes
• Proven courtroom and ADR skills — strong motion practice, depositions, mediation, arbitration, and (preferably) some trial experience
• Strong drafting and analytical skills — able to distill complex facts and legal issues into persuasive arguments
• Excellent client communication and relationship-building skills — comfortable leading conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and small business owners, especially in matters involving company control, equity value or reputational risk
• Experience supervising and mentoring other attorneys, including reviewing work product and giving constructive feedback
• Proven ability to delegate, supervise, and mentor effectively — empower junior attorneys while maintaining excellence, clarity, and accountability
• Strong case management and organizational skills — able to juggle multiple matters efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Technologically proficient — fluent in remote work tools (Zoom, Slack, Clio, Dropbox, etc.) and adaptable to evolving systems
• Aligned with BLG’s values — humble, kind, responsive, strategic and practical

To Thrive in This Role, You Must Be

• Client-Centered: Focused on delivering practical advice that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Responsive and Reliable: A professional who clients and teammates can count on.
• Clear Communicator: Comfortable explaining complex issues in plain language.
• Strategic Thinker: Able to assess legal risk in the context of business goals.
• Kind but Direct: Honest, constructive, and tactful — especially when mentoring others.
• Tech-Comfortable: Familiar with cloud-based systems and remote collaboration tools.
• Self-Directed: Able to manage your caseload independently without hand-holding.
• Flexible: Comfortable working asynchronously in a results-focused environment.
• Invested in Growth: Excited to help develop a team, not just work a docket.
• Down-to-Earth: No ego — just talent, trust, and a great attitude.
• Proactive Communicator: You don’t wait to be asked — you regularly update clients and team members to prevent confusion, surprises, or delays.
• Builder of People and Systems: You take ownership of developing junior talent through clear delegation, thoughtful feedback, and active mentorship.

What Makes This Role Different

• Serve as second-in-command of the business disputes team
• Truly flexible schedule — design your own work hours
• Fully remote team with modern infrastructure
• One 30-minute all-hands meeting + one weekly team check-in
• Unlimited PTO
• Health insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Profit sharing plan
• Home office and business development reimbursement
• Bonuses start accruing at 1,200 billable hours collected
• A values-first culture that treats people with respect and supports their growth

Join Our Team

At Bend Law Group, you will be a strategic ally committed to protecting businesses and helping them thrive, even in adversity.

How to Apply

Please email the following materials to Matthew Schumacher with the subject line: “Responding to Job Advertisement”.

• Your resume (PDF format only)
• A brief, thoughtful cover letter explaining why this role aligns with your goals
• Five words that describe what you value most in a workplace (used to help ensure cultural alignment)
• A relevant writing sample (preferably related to litigation or dispute resolution)

Salary

• $175,000 - $215,000/year