Overview
A national insurance defense law firm is seeking a Senior Counsel to join their 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 and represent clients in high-stakes insurance defense cases
- 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: pleadings, discovery, depositions, pre-trial motions, and settlement negotiations
- Serve as lead counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and mediations
- 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 and prioritize a demanding caseload independently
- 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 to $190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
- Annual billable hours bonus starting at $10,000, with additional bonuses of $7,500 for each higher 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%
- Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan ($100-$200/month) available to 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 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
Location
- Flexible work model: remote, hybrid, or onsite options available
Additional Information
- No recruiters or agencies
- Equal employment opportunity employer without discrimination 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
- Active California bar license required