Defense Litigation Associate Attorney - Asbestos

About the role

Harris Beach Murtha is seeking an associate to join its growing Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation team, with a particular focus on our national asbestos defense practice. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with experienced attorneys across multiple offices, engage in high-level litigation strategy, and take on meaningful responsibility representing defendants in a variety of industries in state and federal courts nationwide. The work is collaborative, fast-paced, and provides hands-on experience managing complex toxic tort matters.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with experienced attorneys across multiple offices
• Engage in high-level litigation strategy
• Take and defend depositions of plaintiffs and fact witnesses
• Research legal, procedural, and scientific issues
• Collaborate with senior attorneys on strategy
• Draft responsive pleadings, memoranda, briefs, and significant motions including motions for summary judgment and discovery motions
• Prepare reports to clients, including deposition reports, litigation status reports and case analysis reports
• Represent clients at courtroom appearances, including oral argument of motions and discovery conferences (both in-person and virtually)

Requirements

• Experience Level: 2+ years of asbestos defense litigation required
• Admission to the New York AND New Jersey bars (required)
• Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school
• Familiarity with Zoom, MS Teams, and other video platforms for depositions, court conferences, and hearings
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills
• The ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly absorb and analyze new information
• A high level of professionalism, conscientiousness, and responsibility
• A positive, flexible, and cooperative attitude
• Military experience welcome

Benefits

• Salary information below will vary depending upon relevant experience for the position and geographic locations.
• Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester (Pittsford), Syracuse: $125,000 - $185,000
• Long Island (Uniondale) and White Plains: $140,000 - $185,000
• NYC: $145,000 - $185,000