Mid to Senior Business & Commercial Disputes Associate – Charlotte

About the role

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) is seeking a highly motivated commercial litigation associate with 3–5 years of experience to join its Business & Commercial Disputes team in Charlotte, or alternatively Atlanta if barred in North Carolina. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex, high-stakes litigation matters for a sophisticated national and international client base across a range of industries. The ideal candidate is a strategic and detail-oriented litigator with sound judgment, strong writing and analytical skills, and meaningful experience supporting matters through key phases of litigation. This position is well-suited for an associate who thrives in a collaborative environment, wants direct responsibility on lean case teams, and is ready to continue building courtroom, client-facing, and case management experience.

Responsibilities

• Handle substantive work on complex commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts from inception through resolution.
• Draft dispositive and non-dispositive motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgment briefs, evidentiary motions, and related filings.
• Prepare for and take or defend depositions, including fact and expert witnesses, as experience allows.
• Manage key aspects of discovery, including written discovery, document production, e-discovery coordination, and discovery motion practice.
• Support trial preparation and trial teams, including witness preparation, exhibit strategy, pretrial filings, and courtroom support.
• Analyze dispute risks, litigation exposure, and business implications, and contribute to practical, business-oriented client advice.
• Communicate directly with clients, including in-house counsel and business stakeholders, with appropriate partner or senior lawyer guidance.
• Collaborate effectively with partners, counsel, associates, professional staff, and cross-office teams.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials.
• Admission to the North Carolina bar. Candidates located in Atlanta must be admitted in North Carolina or otherwise meet the role’s North Carolina bar requirement.
• 3–5 years of commercial litigation experience at a law firm of comparable caliber.
• Experience with a broad range of commercial disputes, such as contract disputes, business torts, partnership/shareholder disputes, fiduciary duty claims, or similar complex business litigation matters.
• Demonstrated ability to handle substantive litigation tasks with increasing independence, judgment, and ownership.
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, including strong motion drafting and legal research experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with sound judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and workstreams efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy litigation experience is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, life insurance, and retirement plans.
• Flexible time off plans including paid Parental leave, Paid Time Off (PTO), and paid holidays.
• Hybrid work flexibility.
• Robust training and development programs.

BCLP is committed to recruiting, retaining, rewarding, and developing people with regard to their abilities and contributions and without reference to background, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, political belief, disability, or any other applicable protected characteristic.