Overview
A national insurance defense law firm is seeking a Senior Counsel to join its Complex Trial Teams. This role involves leading high-exposure, complex insurance defense litigation with a focus on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, property damage, and professional liability cases. The position requires an active California bar license and offers flexible work arrangements including remote, hybrid, or onsite options.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex trials as primary counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and mediations
- Develop and implement case strategies including risk assessment, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation
- Advise clients, insurance carriers, and adjusters with clear legal guidance and case updates
- Manage all litigation stages: pleadings, discovery, depositions, pre-trial motions, and settlement negotiations
- Supervise and mentor junior attorneys, paralegals, and support staff
- Collaborate with expert witnesses such as medical, forensic, engineering, and economic experts
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active license to practice law in California and eligibility to practice in federal courts
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in insurance defense litigation with significant complex trial work
- Proven success as lead trial counsel in multiple high-stakes cases
- Strong knowledge of civil procedure, tort law, insurance law, and trial strategies
- Ability to manage a large caseload independently
- Excellent oral advocacy, legal writing, and negotiation skills
- Effective client communication and relationship management skills
- Preferred experience in catastrophic injury, construction defect, or professional liability cases
- Familiarity with e-discovery tools and case management software
- Membership in trial lawyer associations is a plus
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $160,000 to $190,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications
- Annual billable hours bonus starting at $10,000, with additional bonuses of $7,500 per tier
- Comprehensive benefits including health, vision, dental, and life insurance with employer contributions averaging $700-$1,700 annually
- 401(k) plan with 100% match on the first 3% contributed and 50% match on the next 4-5%
- Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan ($100-$200/month) for full-time attorneys after one year
- Paid parental leave at base pay
- Monthly technology reimbursement of $60
- Employee Assistance Program
- In-house training and leadership development
- Firm-provided CLE programs and paid bar license renewal fees
- Flexible vacation policy
- Defined pathway to partnership
- Internal diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Firm-wide charitable giving program
- Social and off-site events throughout the year
Location
- Flexible work model: remote, hybrid, or onsite options available
Additional Information
- No recruiters or agencies
- Equal employment opportunity employer with nondiscrimination policies based on 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 factors
Applicants must have an active California bar license to be considered.