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Senior Counsel (Law & Motion)

Northern California, CA

Senior Counsel – Law & Motion & Appellate Advocacy

Shape the Law. Defend. Win.

California Bar License Required

At Tyson & Mendes, we are redefining insurance defense and trial advocacy, leading the industry with exceptional legal strategy and innovative defense techniques. Our commitment to stopping Nuclear Verdicts® and delivering winning appellate strategies makes us the go-to trial firm for top insurers and Fortune 500 companies. We foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning, where attorneys refine their craft and drive impactful legal outcomes.

Why Tyson & Mendes?

Lead the Charge – Work on high-stakes, precedent-setting motions and appeals that shape the future of insurance defense litigation.
Career Growth – Enhance your expertise with mentorship, professional development, and leadership opportunities.
Stability & Expansion – Join a rapidly growing, nationally recognized firm that prioritizes long-term career success.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Be part of a firm that values diverse perspectives and equitable opportunities in the legal profession.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Law & Motion Attorney with a strong background in appellate advocacy to join our elite litigation team. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of procedural and substantive legal issues, excels at dispositive motions and appeals, and is a persuasive legal writer and strategist. This is an opportunity to work on complex, high-profile insurance defense cases, crafting the legal arguments that influence trial and appellate outcomes.

What You’ll Do:

  • Draft and argue dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment, demurrers, and motions to dismiss.
  • Handle appellate matters, from briefing to oral arguments, in both state and federal courts.
  • Conduct high-level legal research and analysis to develop innovative defense strategies.
  • Collaborate with trial teams to shape case strategy, ensuring strong legal positioning at every stage.
  • Stay ahead of legal trends, influencing the development of new case law in insurance defense.

Work Where You Thrive

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

Who You Are

8+ years of experience in law & motion and appellate litigation.
Exceptional research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills.
Proven track record of winning dispositive motions and appellate cases.
Deep knowledge of procedural and substantive law in insurance defense and civil litigation.
Strategic thinker and meticulous legal analyst, ready to drive winning results.

Join a firm that’s shaping the future of insurance defense litigation. Apply today!

Key Responsibilities:

  • Law & Motion Practice: Prepare, draft, and argue a variety of motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgments, and other pre-trial and post-trial motions.
  • Appellate Briefs and Oral Arguments: Manage appellate cases from inception to resolution, including designating the record, drafting appellate briefs, preparing petitions, and presenting oral arguments when necessary.
  • Legal Research and Writing: Conduct thorough legal research on relevant case law, statutes, and procedural rules to support motion practice and appellate work.
  • Case Analysis and Strategy: Collaborate with the litigation team to develop case strategies, identify key legal arguments, and prepare oppositions to motions filed by opposing counsel.
  • Collaboration with Clients and Colleagues: Work closely with colleagues to provide status updates, discuss case developments, and make recommendations based on legal findings.
  • Maintain Deadlines and Case Management: Ensure all court and case deadlines are met by effectively managing case files, schedules, and electronic records.

Qualifications:

  • 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.
 
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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