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Senior Counsel (Complex Trial)

Southern California, CA

Senior Counsel – Complex Trial Litigation

Lead. Advocate. Win.

California Bar License Required

At Tyson & Mendes, we are more than just a law firm—we are at the forefront of insurance defense and complex trial litigation. Our mission is to be the go-to national trial firm, known for outstanding results, innovative defense strategies, and our commitment to stopping Nuclear Verdicts®. With a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, we empower attorneys to sharpen their trial skills and make a real impact in the industry.

Why Tyson & Mendes?

Be Part of a Winning Team – Work with top litigators and trial strategists, handling high-profile, complex cases for Fortune 500 companies and top insurers.

Advance Your Career – We invest in your professional growth through ongoing trial training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Growth & Stability – As we continue our nationwide expansion, we are committed to sustainable growth and long-term career stability for our attorneys.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – We believe a diverse and inclusive team strengthens our ability to serve clients and drive change in the legal industry.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Counsel with a strong background in insurance defense and complex trial litigation. This role is ideal for a seasoned trial attorney who thrives in high-stakes litigation and is ready to lead trial teams, develop case strategies, and deliver exceptional courtroom advocacy.

What You’ll Do:

  • Lead and manage complex, high-exposure cases from inception through resolution.
  • Serve as lead trial counsel in significant litigation matters.
  • Mentor and collaborate with litigation teams, ensuring strong case strategy and execution.
  • Provide strategic legal guidance to clients, maintaining strong client relationships.
  • Develop innovative defense strategies to protect our clients from Nuclear Verdicts®.

Work Where You Thrive

We offer flexible work options to support your success:

Remote – Work from home with availability for in-person appearances.
Hybrid – Split time between remote and office work.
In-Office – Join a collaborative, high-energy trial team environment.

Who You Are

8+ years of trial experience in insurance defense or complex litigation.
Proven track record of successfully handling high-stakes cases and leading trial teams.
Strong courtroom presence and ability to deliver winning arguments.
Passion for mentoring and developing the next generation of trial attorneys.
Driven, strategic, and ready to set new industry standards.

Join us and be part of a firm that’s redefining insurance defense litigation. Apply today!

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead Complex Trials: Represent clients in high-exposure and complex insurance defense cases, including cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, property damage, and professional liability.
  • Case Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute case strategies, including risk assessment, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation.
  • Client Advisement: Work closely with clients, insurance carriers, and adjusters to provide clear legal advice, case assessments, and updates on case developments.
  • Litigation Management: Oversee all stages of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, pre-trial motions, and settlement negotiations.
  • Courtroom Representation: Serve as lead counsel in jury trials, bench trials, and mediations, presenting cases effectively and persuasively.
  • Team Leadership and Mentorship: Supervise and mentor junior attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, ensuring high-quality work and compliance with best practices.
  • Collaboration with Experts: Collaborate with expert witnesses, including medical, forensic, engineering, and economic experts, to strengthen case arguments.

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
  • Active license to practice law in California and eligibility to practice in federal courts.
  • 8+ years of experience in insurance defense litigation with a strong focus on complex trial work.
  • Demonstrated success as lead trial counsel in multiple high-stakes cases.
  • Strong knowledge of civil procedure, tort law, insurance law, and trial strategies.
  • Proven ability to manage and prioritize a large, demanding caseload with limited oversight.
  • Exceptional oral advocacy, legal writing, and negotiation skills.
  • Strong client relationship management skills with an ability to communicate complex legal strategies effectively.
  • Background in catastrophic injury, construction defect, or professional liability cases preferred.
  • Experience with e-discovery tools and case management software.
  • Membership in local or national trial lawyer associations is a plus.
Benefits
  • Guaranteed bonus structure for attorneys and paralegals 
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans (some at no cost to the employee) 
  • Student loan repayment assistance OR 529 college savings program for attorneys 
  • 401K matching 
  • Paid parental leave 
  • Flexible vacation policy for attorneys 
  • Internal education and leadership development programs 
  • Pathway to partnership for attorneys 
  • 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 
  • Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate 
  • Access to Maven resources for new parents through Blue Shield 
 
Why Tyson & Mendes? 
 
We are one of the country’s fastest growing civil defense firms. We have steadily and successfully made our mark as a trailblazer in the legal ecosphere. We are a progressive, dynamic and diverse firm that prides ourselves in breaking the mold upheld by the “traditional” law firm. Here, you will discover an exceptionally smart, deeply talented team of trial lawyers who have continuously made a profound impact on the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of people. From Howell vs. Hamilton Meats, to our many trial wins, our promise is to provide unparalleled service and achieve exceptional results for our clients.
 
In addition to our outstanding legal work, we take an innovative approach to law firm management; we invest wholly in our employees. From our specialized internal training program on our proven defense methods, to clear paths to leadership and partnership, we provide the professional development resources and tools needed for attorneys to make significant advancements in their careers - all while building their own brands and becoming sought-after experts in their respective fields.
 
Click here to learn more about the Tyson & Mendes Office!
 
 
OK, now for the legal copy (we are a law firm, after all). It is Tyson & Mendes’ policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. By the way, if you read all of this, congratulations – we can already tell your attention to detail is exceptional.
 
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS/EMPLOYEES OF TYSON & MENDES: Please take notice that the Firm collects certain information about you. For more information on the Firm’s policies, please refer to the document provided here.
 
Follow along with the firm on Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit www.tysonmendes.com.  
No recruiters/agencies 
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Pay Range

$150,000 - $190,000 USD

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