Mid-Level Defamation Litigation Associate (On-site: Alexandria, VA)

Job Description

Job Description

Mid-Level Defamation Litigation Associate | High-Stakes Commercial Litigation

Location: Alexandria, VA (Washington, DC metro area)
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Compensation

$185,000–$235,000 base salary (varies by class year and background)

The firm uses a true-up compensation model designed to put earning potential in your hands:

• Base salary is individualized based on class year, clerkship experience, and prior firm experience.

• Quarterly true-up tied to billable hours brings total compensation to Cravath-equivalent at approximately 2,000 hours and pays above market for additional billable hours.

• Separate year-end bonus in addition to the quarterly true-up.

Minimum billable expectation is 1,950 hours. The compensation model will be discussed in detail during the interview process.

About the Role

We are seeking a 2nd-4th year litigation associate with a strong academic record, ideally including a federal clerkship, and the emotional intelligence to advise demanding, high-profile clients during critical moments.

The ideal candidate is comfortable driving cases forward with minimal supervision and has demonstrated excellence in legal writing, strategic thinking, and client service.

Additional experience in plaintiff-side litigation, journalism or media, or the crypto or entertainment industries is a plus.

Responsibilities Manage significant defamation and complex commercial litigation matters with substantial autonomy.

• Draft strategy memoranda that develop case theory, jury 

  themes, and overall litigation strategy.
• Prepare demand letters seeking corrections, retractions, and apologies using established precedent.
• Conduct witness preparation and deposition preparation for sophisticated, high-profile clients.
• Provide pre-publication counseling by working directly with publishers and broadcasters.
• Perform legal research using AI-assisted research tools, Westlaw, and LexisNexis.
• Conduct high-level document review on complex litigation matters.
• Communicate directly with sophisticated clients and media organizations.
• Collaborate closely with nationally recognized litigation partners on complex matters.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of litigation experience (approximately 2020-2022 class years preferred).

• Strong academic credentials.

• Excellent legal writing and analytical skills.

• Ability to manage matters independently with minimal supervision.

• Strong strategic thinking and sound judgment.

• High emotional intelligence and ability to work effectively with sophisticated clients under pressure.

• Bar admission in good standing.

• Authorized to work in the United States (visa sponsorship is not available).

Technology

• AI-assisted legal research tools

• Westlaw

• LexisNexis

About the Firm

This boutique litigation firm focuses on complex defamation matters, pre-publication counseling, and complex commercial litigation. The practice is split roughly evenly between defamation and commercial disputes, representing Fortune 100 companies, hedge funds, private equity firms, professional sports teams, technology founders, executives, journalists, and other high-profile individuals facing reputational challenges.

The firm operates with a deliberately non-hierarchical structure, staffing matters based on ability rather than seniority. Associates receive meaningful responsibility early in their careers, working directly with sophisticated clients while collaborating closely with experienced partners.

The culture emphasizes collaboration, sound judgment, strong writing, high agency, and the ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations. Defamation experience is not required; the firm trains attorneys in this practice area and hires based on litigation ability, writing skills, judgment, and temperament.