Senior Counsel (General Liability/Coverage)

Tyson & Mendes•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Tyson & Mendes is seeking a California-licensed Senior Counsel to handle general liability insurance defense litigation and insurance coverage matters. The role involves leading high-exposure cases, developing strategic defenses, and delivering strong client service. The firm offers office, hybrid, or remote work options and emphasizes autonomy, collaboration, professional development, diversity and inclusion, and advancement opportunities, including a defined pathway to partnership. The successful candidate is an experienced litigator with courtroom confidence, strategic judgment, and a record of managing litigation teams and mentoring junior attorneys. The position requires independently handling cases through discovery, court appearances, depositions, briefing, and trial, while maintaining client relationships and collaborating with colleagues. The base salary range is $160,000–$190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable-hours bonus starting at $10,000, with an additional $7,500 for each subsequent tier. Benefits include health, vision, dental, and life coverage, a 401(k) match, student loan repayment assistance or a 529 college savings plan for full-time attorneys after one year, paid parental leave, and a monthly technology reimbursement. The firm also offers training and leadership development, CLE programs, paid bar license renewal fees, a flexible vacation policy for attorneys, and other employee programs and events.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active bar license in the State of California.
At least 8 years of litigation experience specifically in general liability insurance defense and insurance coverage matters.
Proven ability to manage full case responsibilities, including discovery and trial.
Strong experience handling insurance defense cases, particularly general liability and coverage issues.
Proficiency with time management systems.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to think independently and work with minimal supervision.
Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
Professional appearance and demeanor.

Responsibilities

Develop compelling case themes and strategies to counter plaintiff arguments based on sympathy or anger.
Maintain a high standard across all facets of legal practice.
Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs, and trials.
Manage full case responsibilities, including discovery and trial.
Collaborate with attorneys at all experience levels.
Communicate routinely with clients.
Cultivate relationships with existing and prospective clients.
Lead and mentor junior attorneys.

Benefits

Annual billable-hours bonus starting at $10,000, with $7,500 for each additional tier.
Comprehensive health, vision, dental, and life coverage, including plans available at zero employee cost.
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.
Remote, hybrid, or onsite work options.