Attorney-Transportation and insurance defense

4+ YEAR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities will include management of an active case load (i.e. 25+ cases) throughout Texas in a high volume, dynamic, insurance defense/commercial litigation practice.

The attorney will manage reporting to the client and insured, coordination with experts when appropriate, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing insured and other parties for depositions, taking depositions, preparation for and appearance at hearings, drafting of motions and preparation and attendance at trial.

The attorney must keep the assigning/originating attorneys advised and updated throughout the litigation process and consult with the assigning/originating attorneys on key strategy, mediation, and pre-trial decisions.

The attorney must be detail oriented, responsive, and possess and display strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

The attorney must display appropriate professionalism and interpersonal skills. Visibility requires maintaining a professional appearance and providing a positive firm image to the public.

The attorney must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local rules and with all firm policies and procedures.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

· Maintain client satisfaction including prompt communication before, during and after cases. 

· Conduct and support discovery, hearings, trials, depositions, oral arguments, mediations, arbitrations, administrative proceedings and similar proceedings as required.

· Research and analyze the law applicable to cases or matters; investigate facts; draft legal documents, pleadings, motions, briefs and opinions as required.

· Remain current with developments in the law.

· Effectively communicate and persuade using written and verbal skills. Listen, get clarification, and respond to inquiries with professionalism and tact. Read and interpret information accurately and concisely.

· Organize, manage, prioritize and handle numerous projects/tasks.

· Minimum 160 billable hours per month.

· Maintain a working, comprehensive knowledge of all assigned cases and matters, including parties, representatives, clients, claims, strategies, risk assessment, and deadlines in order to meet client, insured, and firm objectives and expectations.

· Remain dependable to meet all deadlines in a timely manner providing completed work product to the supervising attorney sufficiently in advance of any deadline for constructive discussion of options. 

· If requested, conduct settlement negotiations.

· Punctual, in office, in person attendance

· Oversee secretarial staff as needed to fulfill the successful satisfaction of the above objectives.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

· Significant litigation experience in Texas state and federal courts in civil matters handling all aspects of pretrial and trial practice

· Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills

· Computer and software proficiency required in all Microsoft applications, including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw, Document Management System, expense and billing systems. Able to operate multi-line phone, calculator, cell phone, copier, fax, scanner

· Active member of the State Bar of Texas licensed to practice law and in good standing

· Admitted to practice in the United States District Courts located in Texas (Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Divisions) or eligible to obtain admittance

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

This is an indoor office environment and may require sitting and utilizing a computer for extended periods of time.

May be required to lift, move, and carry items up to 35 pounds.

Extensive time commitment and availability outside of normal business hours may be required to complete projects; attend meetings, depositions, hearings, trials, and arbitrations; and meet deadlines.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods of time to complete job requirements. 

Travel/driving to client job sites, inspection sites, meetings, depositions, hearings, trials, and arbitrations likely will be required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Pappas Grubbs Price PC reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet Firm needs as necessary.