Senior Counsel

Tyson & Mendes LLP•San Bernardino, CA

13d•$160,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Tyson & Mendes is expanding its presence in the Inland Empire and is seeking experienced litigators to establish a new office in Redlands. This role offers the opportunity to be an early member of the team, handle cases independently, develop into a trusted leader, and contribute to building future teams. The office will be led by Pat Ferraris, who is dedicated to mentoring attorneys and fostering leadership development. The position emphasizes meaningful case responsibility, genuine mentorship, and the chance to influence the direction of a growing office. The team handles various civil litigation matters, including automobile liability, premises liability, and product liability. Attorneys with experience in medical malpractice, professional liability, and construction defect defense are also encouraged to apply. The firm values strong litigators who are also good teammates, emphasizing congeniality, communication, empathy, flexibility, and support for colleagues. The Inland Empire team currently operates from collaborative office space while the permanent Redlands office is being established. Attorneys will have the support of a national litigation firm while being part of a local team early enough to shape its culture and future leadership.

Requirements

JD from an ABA approved school
Must be licensed in your state
Active California Bar license required
8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically with litigation support, deposition and trial preparation
Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including all facets of discovery and trial
Experience handling insurance defense matters preferred
Experience with time management systems
Proficiency in MS Suite, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
Ability to think and act independently and with minimal supervision
Outstanding listening, verbal and written communication skills
Professional appearance and demeanor

Nice To Haves

First- or second-chair trial experience
Strong litigators from adjacent practices who are ready to continue developing their trial skills
Attorneys with backgrounds in medical malpractice, professional liability, construction defect, and related defense practices

Responsibilities

Develop a case theme that is more compelling than any plaintiff ploy for sympathy or anger
Refuse to accept mediocrity, the average, the standard or the norm in anything
Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials
Work as part of a team with all levels of experiences
Routine communications with clients
Cultivate relationships with the firm’s existing and future clients
Provide leadership and direction with respect to less experienced attorneys

Benefits

Base salary ranging from $160,000 - $190,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
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
Flexible Work Model: Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available