Senior Counsel (Complex Trial)

Responsibilities

• Lead Complex Trials: Represent clients in high-exposure and complex insurance defense cases, including cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, property damage, and professional liability.
• Case Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute case strategies, including risk assessment, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation.
• Client Advisement: Work closely with clients, insurance carriers, and adjusters to provide clear legal advice, case assessments, and updates on case developments.
• Litigation Management: Oversee all stages of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, pre-trial motions, and settlement negotiations.
• Courtroom Representation: Serve as lead counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and mediations, presenting cases effectively and persuasively.
• Team Leadership and Mentorship: Supervise and mentor junior attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, ensuring high-quality work and compliance with best practices.
• Collaboration with Experts: Collaborate with expert witnesses, including medical, forensic, engineering, and economic experts, to strengthen case arguments.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in California and eligibility to practice in federal courts.
• 8+ years of experience in insurance defense litigation with a strong focus on complex trial work.
• Demonstrated success as lead trial counsel in multiple high-stakes cases.
• Strong knowledge of civil procedure, tort law, insurance law, and trial strategies.
• Penned ability to manage and prioritize a large, demanding caseload with limited oversight.
• Exceptional oral advocacy, legal writing, and negotiation skills.
• Strong client relationship management skills with an ability to communicate complex legal strategies effectively.
• Background in catastrophic injury, construction defect, or professional liability cases preferred.
• Experience with e-discovery tools and case management software.
• Membership in local or national trial lawyer associations is a plus.

Compensation Package

• The base salary for this position ranges from $160,000-$190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable hours bonus ranging from $10,000 and then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier.
• Comprehensive benefits coverage offered, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700-$1,700).
• Employees benefit from a 401(k) program that includes a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4-5%.
• Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm).
• $100-$200/month Paid Parental Leave at base pay.
• Firm Provided CLE Programs and Paid Bar License Renewal Fees.
• Flexible vacation policy for attorneys.
• Defined pathway to partnership.
• Internal diversity and inclusion programs, such as the Women’s Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative.
• Firm-wide charitable giving program.
• Multiple social and off-site events each year to enrich your relationships with your colleagues.

About Tyson & Mendes

We are a national force in insurance defense and trial advocacy, known for our bold mission to stop Nuclear Verdicts® and our results-driven approach to high-exposure litigation. We are expanding our Complex Trial Teams and seek accomplished Senior Counsel ready to make an impact in the courtroom and beyond.

Equal Opportunity Employer Notice

It is Tyson & Mendes’ policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. By the way, if you read all of this, congratulations – we can already tell your attention to detail is exceptional.