Senior Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Counsel | Sacramento, California

Please note: An active California Bar license is required.

At the Senior Counsel level, you know how to manage litigation. What can be harder to find is an environment that gives you the independence you have earned while still providing access to leaders who are genuinely invested in your success.

That is what makes our Sacramento team different.

Tyson & Mendes is growing in Sacramento, and we are looking for an experienced litigator to join a close knit team known for strong mentorship, substantive litigation experience, and high standards for the work we deliver.

For experienced insurance defense attorneys, this position offers the flexibility to work remotely while remaining closely connected to a highly engaged local team.

If you value autonomy, direct communication, meaningful feedback, and leaders who will make time to help you become an even stronger lawyer, we would love to meet you.

Work With a Leader Who Is Truly Involved

Our Sacramento office is led by Norma Pedroza Chavez , an accomplished litigator with more than 26 years of experience handling matters through trial, mediation, and arbitration.

Norma's practice spans premises liability, professional liability, personal injury, catastrophic accidents, construction defect, construction accidents, human services, and employment law.

She is also a highly engaged leader and mentor.

Norma knows what is happening within her teams, makes herself available when attorneys need guidance, and provides clear, substantive feedback designed to make good lawyers better. Her approach is hands on when you need it and responsive to the experience and development needs of the individual attorney.

For an experienced litigator who still values learning from someone who knows the fundamentals of excellent litigation inside and out, that access is invaluable.

Take Ownership of Your Cases

Senior Counsel are expected to practice with independence.

You will have the opportunity to manage your matters from strategy through resolution, including discovery, depositions, substantive motion practice, client and carrier communication, mediation, expert work, trial preparation, and trial.

We are looking for someone who can see the bigger picture, anticipate what comes next, communicate proactively, and keep matters moving without needing constant oversight.

Get Meaningful Trial Experience

This is a litigation team that believes attorneys become stronger by actually litigating.

Our Sacramento practice offers opportunities for substantive case responsibility and trial experience, with experienced attorneys available to help you prepare for those opportunities when they come.

Whether you already have trials behind you or want to continue building your courtroom experience, you will be working with people who know how to take cases from inception through verdict.

Join a Team That Cares About the Details and Each Other

Sacramento is a smaller office, and that is part of its strength.

The team is connected, responsive, and intentional about including one another. Attorneys connect through weekly Friday meetings, team calls, dinners, and regular interaction across the office.

There is a high standard for the work, but there is also a genuine willingness to help. This is a team that will meet you where you are, provide feedback when you need it, and go out of its way to make sure you feel connected.

We are looking for someone who will bring that same spirit to the team.

You are an experienced California litigator who takes pride in doing things well.

Ideally, you bring a strong background in insurance defense and can independently manage an active caseload. Experience in premises liability, professional liability, personal injury, catastrophic injury, construction, employment, or other substantive civil defense matters may also translate well to the practice.

You are responsive to clients and colleagues. You communicate before someone has to ask. You understand deadlines, billing expectations, and the fundamentals of excellent case management.

You are also receptive to feedback.

At this point in your career, you are confident enough to work independently but still recognize the value of another experienced lawyer challenging your thinking, sharpening your strategy, or showing you a better way to approach something.

If you appreciate clear expectations, direct communication, accountability, and excellent mentorship , you are likely to feel at home here.

For experienced insurance defense litigators who have demonstrated the ability to manage their practice independently, this position offers the opportunity to work remotely .

Flexibility does not mean disconnection.

Our Sacramento attorneys stay closely connected through regular team communication and weekly office meetings, and our leaders are responsive and accessible when attorneys need them.

For those who want time in the office, that connection is encouraged as well. We particularly value attorneys who are open to coming in when collaboration, training, case preparation, or team connection benefits from being together.

You will also have the support of an experienced local team, including Office Manager Pilar Romero , who personally helps welcome and connect new attorneys as they join the office.

The best senior attorneys do not stop developing simply because they have reached a certain title.

They want challenging work. They want autonomy. They want opportunities to try cases. And they want to work with people who care enough to hold themselves and one another to a high standard.

That is what we are building in Sacramento.

If you are an experienced California defense litigator looking for flexibility, meaningful responsibility, and exceptional mentorship, we would love to meet you.

Join Tyson & Mendes in Sacramento and see what you can build with the right team behind you.

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 the State of California
• 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 handling insurance defense matters preferred
• 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 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. 

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Equal Opportunity Employer Notice  

OK, now for the legal copy (we are a law firm, after all). It is Tyson &