Back to jobs
New

Associate Attorney

Inland Empire, CA

 

Build Your Career While We Build Something New

Please note: An active California Bar license is required.

Tyson & Mendes is growing in the Inland Empire, and we’re looking for motivated litigation associates who want to grow right along with us.

This isn’t simply another associate opening. We’re building a new team in the Inland Empire with plans for a permanent office in the Redlands area and the attorneys who join us now will have the opportunity to be part of that growth from the beginning.

You’ll work alongside experienced litigators, take on meaningful case responsibility, and receive the kind of hands-on mentorship that can make a real difference early in your career.

If you’re looking for a place where you can learn, contribute, and build toward something, we’d love to meet you.

Why Join Our Inland Empire Team?

Mentorship That Meets You Where You Are
The office is led by Pat Ferraris, an experienced litigator, former professor, and highly regarded mentor. His approach is individualized; giving attorneys the guidance and feedback they need while building the confidence and skills to work more independently as they develop.

Real Experience. Real Responsibility.
You won’t spend years waiting for an opportunity to do substantive work. Our attorneys are encouraged to take ownership, build relationships with clients, strengthen their writing and advocacy skills, and develop the judgment needed to become confident litigators.

Grow Alongside the Office
We’re building toward a team of approximately 10 attorneys in the Inland Empire. Joining during this stage means becoming part of the office early, developing alongside experienced attorneys and future team leaders, and positioning yourself for opportunities as the team expands.

Interesting, Varied Litigation
Our current matters include automobile liability, premises liability, product liability, and other civil litigation throughout the Inland Empire and beyond. We also welcome attorneys coming from related practices such as medical malpractice, professional liability, construction defect, and broader civil litigation.

A Team Where People Help Each Other
We’re intentionally building a culture around trust, camaraderie, communication, and mutual respect. We want attorneys who care about doing excellent work and who also believe being a great colleague matters.

Who Will Thrive Here

You’re curious, motivated, and ready to become a stronger litigator.

You take ownership of your work, communicate when you need guidance, and are receptive to feedback. You’re comfortable working independently but appreciate having experienced attorneys available when you need them. Most importantly, you want to learn.

Insurance defense experience is preferred, but it isn't the only path to this team. We’re open to attorneys with substantive civil litigation experience who are excited to develop their defense practice.

Experience with discovery, depositions, motion practice, case strategy, and trial preparation is valuable, and we’re particularly interested in attorneys who want greater exposure to the courtroom as their careers progress.

Small-Team Experience. National-Firm Resources.

There’s something unique about joining an office while it’s still being built.

You get the visibility, relationships, and opportunities that come with a smaller team, while having the resources, training, technology, and stability of a national litigation firm behind you.

Our Inland Empire team is currently working from collaborative office space as we grow, with plans to establish a permanent office in the Redlands area based on the needs of the expanding team.

And as the office grows, we want our attorneys to grow with it.

Come Grow With Us

You don’t need to have your entire legal career mapped out. You need the right environment, meaningful opportunities, great people to learn from, and the drive to keep getting better.

Bring your ambition. We’ll bring the opportunity.

Join Tyson & Mendes and be part of what we’re building in the Inland Empire. Apply today! We’d love to meet you.

 

 RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop compelling case strategies that cut through emotional arguments and drive results
  • Set a higher standard—challenge mediocrity and push for excellence in every aspect of your work
  • Independently manage court appearances, depositions, motion practice, and trials
  • Collaborate seamlessly with attorneys and staff at all experience levels
  • Maintain consistent and professional communication with clients
  • Build and nurture relationships with existing and prospective clients
  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior attorneys, contributing to team growth and success 

 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active bar license in the state of California
  • 1–8 years of solid litigation experience, including case strategy, depositions, and trial preparation
  • Ability to independently manage a full caseload, from discovery through trial
  • Prior insurance defense experience preferred
  • Familiarity with litigation timekeeping and billing systems
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
  • Self-motivated with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
  • Professional appearance and demeanor  

 


COMPENSATION PACKAGE

  • The base salary for this position ranges from $115,000-160,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
  • Attorneys are eligible for an 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)
  • Employees benefit from a 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
  • Employees receive a monthly technology reimbursement of $60 


BENEFITS

  • 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 


ABOUT TYSON & MENDES

Click here to learn more about the Tyson & Mendes Office!  (944) The Tyson & Mendes Office - YouTube 

We’re one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the country—known for breaking the mold of the traditional law firm. Our dynamic, diverse team of trial attorneys delivers exceptional results, from landmark cases like Howell v. Hamilton Meats to numerous defense verdicts across the nation. 

But we don’t stop at great legal work—we invest in our people. With specialized training in our proven defense methods, clear paths to leadership, and robust professional development, we empower attorneys to grow their careers, build their personal brands, and become leaders in the field. 

Follow along with the firm on Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit www.tysonmendes.com.   

 

Equal Opportunity Employer Notice 

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. 

No recruiters/agencies 
#li-remote 

 

Pay Range

$115,000 - $160,000 USD

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Tyson & Mendes LLP? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Phone
Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf


Education

Select...

Select...
Employment Type *
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Please visit our survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S2ZNHHW

Select...

U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

We invite applicants to share their demographic background. If you choose to complete this survey, your responses may be used to identify areas of improvement in our hiring process.
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Tyson & Mendes LLP’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 07/31/2029

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.