Senior Counsel (Law & Motion)

Tyson & Mendes LLP • California (Remote), CA

5d • $150,000 - $200,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Tyson & Mendes is a leading insurance defense firm known for its trial strategies and efforts to prevent Nuclear Verdicts®. The Law & Motion and Appellate Team is crucial in developing legal arguments that impact trial outcomes and appellate case law. This role is for a skilled legal writer and strategist to contribute to the firm's defense litigation efforts.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in California, with eligibility to practice in federal courts preferred
• 3-5+ years of experience in insurance defense, law and motion, or appellate practice
• Proven success in drafting and arguing motions, particularly dispositive motions
• Demonstrated experience managing appellate cases, including brief writing and oral arguments
• Strong legal research skills and proficiency with platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis
• Exceptional writing skills, with a keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and communicate effectively with team members
• Familiarity with e-discovery tools and procedures
• Previous experience working in insurance defense or a related field
• At least eight years of experience in law & motion and appellate practice
• Mastery of procedural and substantive law, especially within insurance defense and complex civil litigation.

Nice To Haves

• Persuasive legal writer
• Deep thinker
• Litigation strategist
• Thrives on high-stakes work
• Proven track record of winning dispositive motions and appeals
• Passionate about influencing legal outcomes through precision and clarity
• Ready to help shape the law

Responsibilities

• Draft and argue dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment, demurrers, and motions to dismiss.
• Handle appellate matters from start to finish, including research, briefing, and oral argument in state and federal courts.
• Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis to develop creative, cutting-edge defense strategies.
• Collaborate with trial teams to ensure legal positioning is strong at every stage of litigation.
• Monitor emerging case law and legal trends to influence the development of insurance defense precedent.
• Prepare, draft, and argue a variety of motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgments, and other pre-trial and post-trial motions.
• Manage appellate cases from inception to resolution, including designating the record, drafting appellate briefs, preparing petitions, and presenting oral arguments.
• Conduct thorough legal research on relevant case law, statutes, and procedural rules to support motion practice and appellate work.
• Collaborate with the litigation team to develop case strategies, identify key legal arguments, and prepare oppositions to motions filed by opposing counsel.
• Work closely with colleagues to provide status updates, discuss case developments, and make recommendations based on legal findings.
• Ensure all court and case deadlines are met by effectively managing case files, schedules, and electronic records.

Benefits

• Base salary ranging from $150,000 - 200,000 annually
• Annual billable hours bonus ranging from $10,000 and then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier
• Comprehensive benefits coverage offered, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700-$1,700)
• 401(k) program that includes a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4-5%
• Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm) $100-$200/month
• Paid parental leave at base pay
• Monthly technology reimbursement of $60
• Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate
• Comprehensive 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, such as the Women’s Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative
• Firm-wide charitable giving program
• Numerous social and off-site events each year to enrich your relationships with your colleagues
• Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior