Civil Litigation Attorney

Distro•Houston, TX

2d•$14,400 - $18,500•Remote

About The Position

Devenere Law Collective is seeking a versatile Contract Civil Litigation Attorney to independently manage civil litigation matters in Texas state and federal courts. The role is intended for an attorney with approximately two to five years of relevant experience who can handle active cases across a broad range of civil disputes. The attorney will manage cases from initial assessment through resolution, draft pleadings and motions, conduct discovery, represent clients in proceedings, develop litigation strategy, maintain client communications, and comply with state and federal procedural requirements. The initial engagement is a 1099 independent-contractor arrangement lasting approximately six to eight months, with an expected workload of approximately 160 approved billable hours per month. Compensation is based exclusively on approved billable work entered into the firm’s system; nonbillable activity does not automatically create compensable time. The posting lists compensation of $14,400–$18,500 per month, negotiable, and estimates approximately $14,400–$18,400 at 160 approved billable hours. No employee benefits are provided during the contractor period. Successful performance may lead to an offer of full-time employment, depending on performance and the firm’s needs. The position is primarily remote but requires residence in or near Greater Houston, reliable travel to Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria Counties, and in-person attendance at proceedings and meetings. The attorney must also report to the firm’s downtown Houston office when needed for preparation, collaboration, meetings, or other business purposes, and may occasionally handle matters outside the primary counties. Devenere Law Collective describes its culture as collaborative and nonhierarchical. Attorneys work with colleagues and support professionals across practice areas, accept constructive review, and contribute as needed. The firm values authenticity, community involvement, innovation, professionalism, and client-centered service.

Requirements

Active, good-standing license to practice law in Texas.
Active admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Approximately two to five years of relevant civil litigation experience.
Demonstrated experience managing civil matters beyond entry-level observation or research support.
Business and real estate litigation experience.
Trial, hearing, or meaningful courtroom experience.
State and federal court filing experience.
Strong legal research, drafting, analysis, and oral advocacy skills.
Experience handling written discovery and depositions.
Ability to independently manage cases and deadlines.
Ability to produce approximately 160 approved billable hours per month and maintain accurate, timely, descriptive billing records.
Ability to commit to a six-to-eight-month contract.
Ability to reside in or near Greater Houston, attend proceedings in Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria Counties, and report to the Houston office when required.
Strong professional judgment and commitment to confidentiality.
Willingness to work collaboratively with attorneys and support professionals and accept constructive review.
Openness to potential full-time employment after the contract period.

Nice To Haves

Broad exposure to multiple forms of civil litigation.
Federal litigation experience in the Southern District of Texas.
Construction litigation experience.
Probate, estate planning, guardianship, or tax-law exposure.
Experience with high-value or complex commercial disputes.
Mediation and settlement-negotiation experience.
Experience participating in trials as lead or second-chair counsel.
Ability to adapt knowledge across business, property, family, probate, and related disputes.
Experience working successfully in a remote or hybrid legal practice.

Responsibilities

Independently manage civil litigation matters from initial assessment through resolution.
Review facts, claims, defenses, damages, procedural posture, and available evidence; assess and communicate legal, evidentiary, procedural, financial, and strategic risks.
Develop and update litigation strategies based on client objectives and case developments, and prepare case evaluations and legal recommendations.
Track case milestones, court deadlines, discovery obligations, and client commitments; escalate significant strategic, ethical, or client-related concerns appropriately.
Draft and revise pleadings, motions, responses, briefs, and other litigation documents; prepare state and federal court filings.
Conduct legal research and produce persuasive, accurate, and well-supported written work; review documents for factual, procedural, citation, formatting, and substantive accuracy.
Represent clients in Texas state and federal courts, including hearings, scheduling conferences, mediations, pretrial proceedings, and trials.
Prepare oral arguments and evidentiary presentations; review and comply with applicable procedural rules, local rules, standing orders, and judge-specific requirements.
Develop discovery strategies; draft and respond to written discovery and subpoenas; organize document productions; prepare clients and witnesses for depositions; take and defend depositions; address discovery disputes and prepare related filings.
Handle business, contract, real property, commercial relationship, and related civil disputes; review relevant records and advise clients about obligations, damages, remedies, risks, and business considerations.
Maintain responsive, professional client communications; explain strategy, risks, deadlines, alternatives, and next steps; prepare clients for proceedings and protect confidential information.
Collaborate with supervising attorneys, contract attorneys, paralegals, case managers, and support staff; participate in quality-control review, incorporate feedback, and assist colleagues as needed.
Maintain contemporaneous, accurate, descriptive, client-chargeable billing records in the firm’s designated system; meet the expected target of approximately 160 approved billable hours per month and follow billing and quality-control procedures.
Attend proceedings in Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria Counties and report to the downtown Houston office when required.