Senior Trial Attorney (First Chair)

The Ward Law Group, PL • New York, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ward Law Group is an award-winning Plaintiff Personal Injury Law Firm committed to changing lives one client at a time. Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work, we seek exceptional legal professionals passionate about advocating for injured clients and delivering outstanding results. We foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-accountability culture where trial attorneys are empowered to think strategically, advocate fearlessly, and pursue the best possible outcomes. We prepare every case for trial and value attorneys committed to courtroom advocacy, continuous learning, and professional excellence. This role is for a first-chair Plaintiff Personal Injury Senior Trial Attorney who thrives in the courtroom, enjoys taking complex cases to verdict, and is committed to maximizing client recoveries while working alongside an elite litigation team.

Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission in good standing to the New York State Bar.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of civil litigation experience, with substantial time in a trial-focused role.
• A verifiable record of cases tried to verdict as first chair or lead second chair.
• Demonstrated command of the CPLR, New York trial practice, and the New York rules of evidence.
• Extensive deposition experience, including experts and adverse medical witnesses.
• Strong written advocacy — motions, briefs, and trial memoranda that do not require rewriting.
• Sound judgment on case valuation and the ability to make defensible try-or-settle recommendations.
• Willingness to travel to courthouses throughout the New York metropolitan area and, as needed, upstate.

Nice To Haves

• Plaintiff-side personal injury experience, including motor vehicle, premises liability, construction (Labor Law §§ 200, 240, 241), and catastrophic injury matters.
• Verdicts or settlements in excess of policy limits, or in the seven figures.
• Familiarity with New York No-Fault practice and lien resolution.
• Conversational or fluent Spanish, or experience serving a bilingual client base.
• Experience supervising or training junior litigators.
• Membership in NYSTLA, AAJ, or comparable trial bar organizations.

Responsibilities

• Try cases to verdict.
• Serve as first chair on jury and bench trials in New York Supreme Court and, where applicable, federal court — voir dire through verdict.
• Own a trial-ready docket. Manage a caseload of high-value matters, setting and executing the litigation strategy for each from trial assignment through resolution.
• Drive discovery and motion practice. Take and defend depositions of parties, treating physicians, and retained experts; draft and argue dispositive and in limine motions; handle preliminary conferences, compliance conferences, and appearances before the court.
• Build the trial record. Identify, retain, and prepare expert witnesses; develop damages models and demonstrative evidence; prepare witnesses and clients for testimony.
• Evaluate and negotiate. Assess liability, damages, and settlement posture with candor; represent the firm at mediations, settlement conferences, and framed-issue proceedings; make disciplined recommendations on when to try and when to resolve.
• Mentor and supervise. Second-chair and train associate attorneys, review their work product, and help develop the next generation of trial lawyers within the firm.
• Protect the client relationship. Communicate clearly and consistently with clients about case posture, risk, and expectations throughout the litigation.
• Maintain professional standards. Comply with all New York Rules of Professional Conduct, court rules, and firm policies, including timely case reporting and accurate file documentation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Collaborative, growth-oriented team environment
• Medical, dental & vision
• Hospital plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Company paid Basic Life and AD&D as well as voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Company paid short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off and paid holidays

What This Job Offers

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