Associate Attorney (Insurance Coverage)

Tyson & Mendes•Seattle, WA

About The Position

Tyson & Mendes is hiring an Associate Attorney for its Seattle office to handle a varied civil litigation practice with insurance coverage and first-party work. Approximately 10% of the practice involves first-party and coverage-related matters; the remainder includes a mix of tort litigation, such as auto and UIM matters, premises liability, products liability, construction-related litigation, complex bodily injury claims, and high-value or unusual liability matters. The role offers close collaboration with Partner David Heemann, whose practice includes insurance coverage, bad faith, claims management, general liability, auto liability, construction defect, and other complex insurance matters. The position provides opportunities to develop insurance knowledge, manage cases independently, and take meaningful ownership of a practice, with mentorship and access to the resources of a national litigation firm. The Seattle team offers access to firmwide training and professional development, the Trial Academy, litigation methodologies, advanced technology and AI-enabled legal resources, case-management and billing tools, and cross-office collaboration. The firm describes its work model as flexible, with remote, hybrid, or onsite options. The role is intended for an attorney with a solid litigation foundation who wants broader experience, responsibility, and professional growth. The base salary range is $100,000–$145,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable-hours bonus. The firm also describes comprehensive benefits, a 401(k) match, student loan repayment assistance or a 529 college savings plan for eligible full-time attorneys after one year, paid parental leave, monthly technology reimbursement, an Employee Assistance Program, CLE programs, paid bar license renewal fees, flexible vacation, and professional development and leadership opportunities.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active Washington state bar license.
At least 3 years of insurance defense experience.
3–5 years of litigation experience, including Washington UIM matters and exposure to first-party bad faith claims.
Solid litigation experience, including case strategy, depositions, and trial preparation; the posting states 1–8 years.
Ability to independently manage a full caseload from discovery through trial.
Familiarity with litigation timekeeping and billing systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Self-motivation and strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.
Professional appearance and demeanor.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Washington UIM matters.
Exposure to first-party bad faith claims or insurance coverage.
Interest in developing deeper insurance knowledge and handling varied, complex litigation.

Responsibilities

Develop compelling case strategies that cut through emotional arguments and drive results.
Maintain high standards and pursue excellence in all aspects of work.
Independently manage court appearances, depositions, motion practice, and trials.
Collaborate with attorneys and staff at all experience levels.
Maintain consistent and professional communication with clients.
Build and nurture relationships with existing and prospective clients.
Mentor and guide junior attorneys, contributing to team growth and success.
Manage a full caseload from discovery through trial.
Handle litigation involving insurance coverage, first-party matters, and a diverse mix of tort and liability claims.

Benefits

Annual billable-hours bonus, starting at $10,000 and increasing by $7,500 for each additional tier.
Comprehensive benefits coverage, including health, vision, dental, and life coverage; plans are available at zero employee cost, according to the posting.
401(k) program with a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4–5%.
Student loan repayment assistance or a 529 college savings plan for full-time attorneys after one year with the firm.
Paid parental leave at base pay.
Monthly technology reimbursement of $60.
Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate.
In-house training and leadership development opportunities.
Firm-provided CLE programs and paid bar license renewal fees.
Flexible vacation policy for attorneys.
Defined pathway to partnership.
Internal diversity and inclusion programs, including the Women’s Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative.
Firm-wide charitable giving program.
Social and off-site events throughout the year.
Remote, hybrid, or onsite work options.