Litigation Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Counsel is partnering with a highly respected, full-service business law firm seeking a mid to senior level associate to support our Nashville Office’s Litigation Practice Group.

The ideal candidate will possess 4+ years of recent business litigation experience from a law firm. Candidates should also be licensed to practice in Tennessee, and have strong writing skills and excellent academic credentials. The ideal candidate will have keen attention to detail and be comfortable taking ownership of cases with appropriate supervision. Associates in this role are expected to contribute strategically, manage core aspects of litigation, and work directly with clients, opposing counsel, and courts.

  Specific tasks include: 

• Managing all phases of litigation, 

• • including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation;

• Drafting and arguing dispositive and discovery motions, 

• Taking and defending depositions, 

• Participating in mediations, hearings, and court appearances, 

• Working collaboratively with partners on case strategy and client counseling, 

• Supervising and mentoring junior associates and paralegals as appropriate, 

• Maintaining direct client contact, 

• Assisting with business development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Review a fact pattern and make correct analysis and recommendations

• Effectively and accurately analyze legal issues

• Second chair a complex case or first chair a simpler case

• Effectively assist lead trial attorneys in all pre-trial issues and proceedings

• Prepare complex pre-trial motions

• Assist in evaluating and implementing pre-trial preparation and witness preparation

• Experience in pre-trial motions in both Federal and State courts

• Independently and effectively manage a small case with minimum or no supervision

• Independently handle a modestly complex commercial case

• Prepare motions for summary judgment

• Effectively prepare deponents

• Effectively take complex deposition testimony

• Demonstrate a breadth of experience in various substantive areas of law

Qualifications

• Must have a Juris Doctorate with excellent academic credentials;

• Must be licensed to practice law and in good standing in Tennessee;

• Familiarity with federal and state court procedural rules and practices;

• Familiarity with and ability to prepare basic litigation documents;

• Must have case management experience;

• Clear and effective drafting skills;

• Strong negotiating skills;

• Ability to learn new substantive legal topics as needed are required;

• Ability to provide effective and reliable legal services to clients and supervising attorneys;

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet deadlines;

• Strong organization and matter management skills;

• Ability to work effectively with others as part of a team

Compensation & Benefits

The firm offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.

• Annual bonus opportunities.

• 401(k) plan.

• Profit-sharing program.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off.

• Professional development and advancement opportunities within a collaborative and growing platform.