Litigation Counsel

At DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole , our litigators take depositions, argue motions, stand up in state and federal court, and sit across the table from the clients whose outcomes they shape. We are a 50-plus-attorney, full-service New Jersey firm: large enough to handle high-stakes, headline-worthy matters, small enough that your name is known and your work is seen.

We are growing our Litigation Practice Group and looking for talented litigation attorneys to join us.

WHY LITIGATORS BUILD CAREERS HERE

Commercial and complex business disputes. Public entity defense. Civil rights and constitutional law. Labor and employment. Environmental and regulatory. Redevelopment, land use, and eminent domain. Appellate practice. Few firms in New Jersey offer this range under one roof.

Courtroom time, not just screen time.

Depositions, motion practice, arbitrations, administrative hearings, appeals, and trials.

Clients who matter to New Jersey.

We represent municipalities, public entities, authorities, and businesses across the state. The matters you handle affect communities, budgets, and public institutions.

Bench strength you learn from.

Many of our attorneys came from the State Attorney General's Office, County Prosecutor's Offices, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and Fortune 100 legal departments. That experience is down the hall and genuinely accessible.

Collaboration that's structural, not aspirational.

Our practice groups work across disciplines by design. Litigation, environmental, labor and employment, municipal, redevelopment, and corporate attorneys build strategy together.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Handle civil litigation matters in New Jersey state and federal courts, from inception through discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal
• Draft pleadings, discovery, research memoranda, dispositive motions, and appellate briefs
• Take and defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses
• Appear at court conferences, hearings, arbitrations, mediations, and trials
• Work directly with private and public sector clients, including attendance at municipal and public entity meetings as matters require
• Contribute to case strategy alongside partners and, depending on your experience, mentor and develop attorneys coming up behind you

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Admission in good standing to practice in New Jersey (admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, or willingness to obtain it)
• Civil litigation experience in a law firm, government, or judicial clerkship setting
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, with the judgment to know which argument actually wins
• Comfort with Westlaw and/or LexisNexis, e-discovery platforms, and electronic filing (eCourts, CM/ECF)
• A genuine self-starter's appetite for responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to zealous, ethical advocacy

Nice to have: New York and/or Pennsylvania bar admission, appellate argument experience, complex multi-party or commercial litigation background, ADR experience, peer-review distinctions, or a portable book of business. None of these are dealbreakers.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual salary range: $100,000 to $130,000, negotiable based on qualifications and demonstrated litigation record. Higher compensation may be available for candidates whose experience and portable book of business warrant it. We encourage qualified litigators to apply and discuss fit with us directly.

• Performance and origination-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• CLE support and professional development funding
• Hybrid/remote flexibility in accordance with Firm policy

ABOUT THE FIRM

Founded in 1986, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP has become a leader in the New Jersey government, legal, and business communities. Headquartered in Paramus, we are a full-service firm practicing across litigation, environmental law, labor and employment, commercial real estate, redevelopment, municipal law, government and regulatory affairs, construction law, health care, insurance, education law, public finance, tax, and corporate and business law.

We emphasize practical legal thinking and a consistent focus on helping clients achieve their objectives and get things done. As a client-centered firm, we strive to provide counsel that is unmatched in expertise, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness for every client, in every matter, every time.

READY TO TALK?

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.