Overview In this role you will lead defense litigation matters across general and premises liability and construction claims, guiding cases from intake to trial. You will work within a defense team, partnering with claims handlers, clients, and experts to secure favorable outcomes. You will serve as second and first chair at trials, shape case theory, and mentor junior staff while maintaining ethical compliance. This position offers exposure to high-stakes civil matters and opportunities to influence strategic decisions and trial outcomes.
Responsibilities- Manage a diverse defense caseload from intake through disposition in general liability, premises liability, and construction disputes
- Draft/serve pleadings, motions, discovery requests, and legal memoranda; perform strategy analyses
- Conduct/defend depositions, coordinate fact and expert discovery, prepare witness statements
- Prepare trial materials (exhibits, witness lists, pretrial briefs, jury instructions, motions in limine)
- Serve as second chair and first chair at trials/hearings, including courtroom advocacy and examinations
- Negotiate settlements and coordinate mediation with claims handlers and corporate clients
- Collaborate with engineers, safety and construction experts to develop case theory and prepare expert reports
- Provide timely client updates, risk assessments, and cost analyses to clients and claims teams
- Mentor and supervise junior attorneys, paralegals, and staff; ensure efficient case handling and billing compliance
- Maintain docket control, ethical compliance, and adherence to court rules
Key requirements- JD from an accredited law school
- Active admission to the state Bar
- 3+ years of civil defense litigation experience (prefer 5+ years)
- Demonstrated trial experience as second chair and first chair
- Proven ability to manage high-volume caseloads and develop litigation strategy
- Strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills (pleadings, dispositive motions, trial briefs)
- Experience conducting depositions and working with expert witnesses in construction, engineering, or safety
- Familiarity with state and federal court rules, evidence, and civil procedure
- Excellent interpersonal skills and client-service orientation
- Willingness to travel; valid driver's license
- interpersonal skills
- client-service orientation
- communication
- trial advocacy
- depositions
- pleadings and dispositive motions
