Senior Counsel

Senior Counsel | Insurance Defense | Los Angeles

Please note: An active bar license in the State of California is required.

You’ve Built the Experience. Now Build What Comes Next.

Tyson & Mendes is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel with 8+ years of insurance defense experience to join our Los Angeles team.

At this stage of your career, your next move should be about more than changing firms.

It should give you the opportunity to lead cases, handle sophisticated litigation, deepen client relationships, develop others, and position yourself for the next stage of your career.

We are not simply looking for experienced attorneys.

We are looking for the future leaders of Team LA.

Lead Sophisticated Litigation

Our Los Angeles attorneys handle a broad range of complex and high exposure matters, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, general and premises liability, transportation and trucking, construction related litigation, hospitality matters, medical malpractice, habitability, and multiparty litigation.

Senior Counsel will have the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of matters from strategy through resolution, including:

• Case strategy and management
• Depositions, mediations and motion practice
• Direct client and carrier relationships
• Trial preparation and courtroom advocacy
• Mentoring and developing other attorneys

Bring Your Trial Experience. Build on It.

Trial experience is highly valued for this role.

Our Los Angeles office is led by David Frishman, Branch Managing Partner and a leader of the Los Angeles Complex Trial Team, whose practice includes complex and catastrophic injury matters and extensive litigation and trial experience.

For experienced attorneys who want to continue developing as litigators, Team LA provides access to sophisticated matters and meaningful opportunities to strengthen that experience.

Your Experience Should Give You a Voice

We want Senior Counsel who can do more than manage their own files.

We are looking for attorneys who can exercise sound judgment, develop client relationships, mentor less experienced attorneys, contribute to strategy, and help shape the future of the Los Angeles team.

Your experience matters here.

Flexibility + Responsibility

Our Los Angeles practice operates primarily remotely, with attorneys coming together when matters require it for court appearances, trial preparation, client needs and team events.

For the right experienced attorney, that means flexibility without giving up sophisticated work, responsibility or career growth.

Build Toward Leadership

This is where we want this opportunity to be different.

Team LA is looking ahead. We need experienced attorneys who can become the next generation of leaders within the office.

If your goals include partnership, team leadership, mentoring attorneys, developing business, strengthening client relationships, or building a practice of your own , we want to have that conversation.

We're looking for people who don't simply want to join Team LA.

We want people who want to help lead it.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of insurance defense/civil litigation experience
• Significant case management and litigation experience
• Strong deposition, mediation and motion practice experience
• Trial experience strongly preferred
• Established client and carrier communication skills
• Leadership mentality and interest in mentoring others
• Someone proactive, accountable and capable of independently moving sophisticated matters forward

You’ve Built Your Career. What Do You Want to Build Next?

If you're an experienced insurance defense attorney looking for more ownership, sophisticated litigation, trial opportunities, flexibility, leadership, and a path toward partnership, we should talk.

Bring your experience. Build your reputation. Help lead the future of Team LA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a case theme that is more compelling than any plaintiff ploy for sympathy or anger
• Refuse to accept mediocrity, the average, the standard or the norm in anything
• Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials
• Work as part of a team with all levels of experiences
• Routine communications with clients
• Cultivate relationships with the firm’s existing and future clients
• Provide leadership and direction with respect to less experienced attorneys

REQUIREMENTS

• JD from an ABA approved school
• Must be licensed in your state
• 8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically with litigation support, deposition and trial preparation
• Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including all facets of discovery and trial
• Experience with time management systems
• Proficiency in MS Suite, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Ability to think and act independently and with minimal supervision
• Outstanding listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Professional appearance and demeanor

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• The base salary for this position ranges from $160,000-$190,000 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 throughHealthAdvocate
• 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
  

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.

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.