Litigation Associate Attorney

Litigation Associate Attorney – Civil and Trusts & Estates Litigation

Pay: $120,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Job description

Our client, a successful and growing trusts and estates law firm with offices in Paramus, New Jersey, is seeking an experienced Litigation Associate Attorney to join its expanding litigation practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished civil litigator who wants meaningful responsibility, direct client contact, and the opportunity to handle sophisticated and often highly personal disputes. The attorney will manage matters through every stage of litigation while working within an established firm that provides strong administrative, paralegal, and technological support.

The ideal candidate has at least five years of substantive civil litigation experience. That experience may include contract, real estate, business, probate, fiduciary, or other contested matters. Prior experience with trusts and estates litigation is preferred but not required; the firm is interested in strong litigators who can apply their advocacy, case-management, and client-counseling skills to this growing practice area.

What You’ll Do

• Manage a varied litigation caseload from initial evaluation through resolution or trial.
• Develop case strategy and provide clients with clear, practical advice regarding risks, options, costs, and potential outcomes.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery demands and responses, settlement agreements, and other substantive legal documents.
• Appear in state courts in New Jersey and New York for conferences, motions, evidentiary hearings, settlement proceedings, and trials.
• Handle mediations, settlement conferences, and negotiations.
• Work on contested matters involving trusts, estates, fiduciaries, guardianships, contracts, real property, and related civil disputes.
• Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and support staff while maintaining primary responsibility for assigned matters.
• Maintain consistent communication with clients and ensure that matters move forward efficiently.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active admission and good standing in both New Jersey and New York.
• At least five years of substantive civil litigation experience.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing litigated matters.
• Strong legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills.
• Meaningful experience with depositions, court appearances, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations.
• Trial or evidentiary‑hearing experience is strongly preferred.
• Excellent judgment and the ability to identify practical solutions to complex disputes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to counsel clients through emotionally difficult and high‑stakes situations.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and ownership of deadlines and case progression.

The Right Person

The successful candidate is a confident and thoughtful advocate who can take ownership of a matter without losing sight of the client behind it. You know how to develop a litigation strategy, communicate candidly with clients, negotiate from a position of strength, and remain composed when cases become contentious.

You are also collaborative, responsive, and practical. You understand that excellent litigation work requires not only strong advocacy but also careful preparation, sound judgment, and consistent follow‑through.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a successful and established firm with a growing litigation practice.
• Assume meaningful responsibility for sophisticated matters and client relationships.
• Work on varied disputes rather than a narrow, repetitive caseload.
• Receive strong paralegal, administrative, and technological support.
• Practice in a collaborative environment that values sound judgment, initiative, and high‑quality work.
• Build long‑term professional growth and advancement within the firm.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Health insurance.
• Employer‑sponsored retirement plan.
• Paid time off.

All inquiries will be handled confidentially.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person