Associate Attorney – Insurance Defense Litigation

Overview

A well-established insurance defense litigation firm is seeking an Associate Attorney to join its growing team. This role is suited for attorneys with insurance defense experience who desire a collaborative work environment, sophisticated litigation assignments, and a compensation structure that rewards performance. The firm offers strong operational support, modern legal technology, and opportunities for long-term career growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of insurance defense matters from inception through resolution.
• Handle cases involving general liability, automobile liability, professional liability, premises liability, construction defect, and related issues.
• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery, and legal correspondence.
• Take and defend depositions, including expert and key witness depositions.
• Attend hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials (minimum second-chair experience required).
• Communicate regularly with insurance carrier clients regarding litigation strategy, case status, budgets, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with carrier litigation guidelines, reporting requirements, and billing protocols.
• Coordinate with expert witnesses, including obtaining approvals, monitoring budgets, and managing invoicing.
• Collaborate with legal support staff and assist in mentoring junior attorneys when appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Bar license in Arizona and/or New Mexico.
• 2-9 years of civil litigation experience with a primary focus on insurance defense.
• Trial or arbitration experience (minimum second-chair experience).
• Experience working with insurance carrier clients and carrier litigation guidelines.
• Strong legal writing, research, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated history of accurate and compliant billing practices.
• Proficiency with legal research and case management software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working for an insurance carrier, claims department, or carrier-appointed defense firm.
• Established relationships within the regional insurance defense community.
• Experience using carrier billing systems and AI-assisted legal drafting or timekeeping tools.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base compensation target of $125,000-$145,000 based on meeting annual billable expectations.
• Additional earning potential through a performance-based compensation model.
• Access to modern technology and administrative support to maximize attorney productivity.
• Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional development and career advancement.