Overview
A national insurance defense and trial advocacy firm is seeking a Senior Counsel to join their Complex Trial Teams. This role involves leading high-exposure, complex insurance defense cases with a focus on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, property damage, and professional liability. An active bar license in the State of California is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex trials as lead counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and mediations.
- Develop and execute case strategies including risk assessment, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation.
- Provide clear legal advice and case updates to clients, insurance carriers, and adjusters.
- Manage all stages of litigation including 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 a strong focus on 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 and prioritize a demanding caseload with limited oversight.
- Exceptional oral advocacy, legal writing, and negotiation skills.
- Strong client relationship management and communication skills.
- Preferred background in catastrophic injury, construction defect, or professional liability cases.
- Experience with e-discovery tools and case management software.
- Membership in local or national trial lawyer associations is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $160,000 - $190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Annual billable hours bonus starting at $10,000, with additional bonuses of $7,500 for each subsequent tier.
- Comprehensive benefits including health, vision, dental, and life coverage with average employer contributions between $700 and $1,700 annually.
- 401(k) program with 100% match on the first 3% contributed and 50% match on the next 4-5%.
- Monthly technology reimbursement of $60.
- Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan for full-time attorneys after one year, ranging from $100 to $200 per month.
- Paid parental leave at base pay.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- In-house training and leadership development opportunities.
- 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.
- Numerous social and off-site events annually.
- Flexible work model with remote, hybrid, or onsite options.
Location
- Must hold an active California bar license.
Equal Opportunity
The employer is an equal opportunity organization committed to nondiscrimination and prohibits harassment 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-based factors.
Additional Information
- No recruiters or agencies, please.
- Pay range: $160,000 USD - $190,000 USD annually.