Defense Litigation Senior Associate or Counsel

Defense Litigation Senior Associate or Counsel

Location: Iselin, NJ

Join Hinshaw & Culbertson’s nationally recognized litigation powerhouse and work alongside a sophisticated team handling high-stakes, complex litigation matters to clients in a broad range of industries.

Why Hinshaw & Culbertson

Excellence, Recognized.

13 national rankings and 56 metro rankings in the 2026 Best Law Firms® directory. 80 lawyers named to Best Lawyers in America®, with 22 rising stars on the Ones to Watch™ list. National Chambers USA honors in Aviation, Financial Services, and Insurance. This isn't legacy prestige — it's excellence earned every year, by people at every stage of their career.

Scale That Backs You Up.

90+ years in practice. 450+ attorneys in 25 offices nationwide. One firm, coast to coast — giving you the resources of a national platform with the relationships of a firm that still knows your name.

Equality Isn't a Talking Point Here.

14 years running at 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. Mansfield Rule Certified Plus. A firm-wide commitment to pro bono work that runs through nearly every practice group. At Hinshaw, inclusion isn't a program — it's how we've operated for over a decade, consistently.

Bottom line:

Ranked nationally. Built for the long run. Committed to getting it right — for our people, our clients, and our communities.

What You Will Do

• You will be entrusted with a diverse and challenging caseload, assuming significant responsibilities from the outset, while collaborating with a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Must be admitted to the New Jersey Bar and in good standing.
• Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of defense litigation experience in one or more of the following practice areas: transportation/vehicular liability (including UM/UIM coverage), general liability, product liability, construction defect, and/or premises liability.
• Experience drafting sophisticated case evaluation reports, motions, and legal memoranda, conducting file analysis, taking and defending depositions, and interviewing witnesses.
• Demonstrated experience managing a rigorous caseload independently, with the ability to handle multiple matters efficiently while maintaining high-quality work.
• Trial experience a plus, but not required.
• Strong academics and excellent writing skills required.

What We Offer

Competitive Compensation & Multiple Paths to Earn More

Salary Range:

The base salary for this position ranges from $130,000-$200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Hinshaw’s compensation structure is designed to reward performance and provide multiple opportunities to increase your total compensation . In addition to competitive base salaries, attorneys can benefit from:

• Semi-annual hours-based bonuses rewarding strong billable performance
• Annual billed-and-collected bonuses providing an additional opportunity to directly benefit from your business and billing results
• Discretionary annual bonuses recognizing overall contributions and performance

With multiple bonus opportunities throughout the year, Hinshaw provides several avenues to achieve—and potentially exceed your compensation goals.

Exceptional Benefits, Growth & Career Support

Hinshaw offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well‑being, career growth, and life beyond the workplace. Employees enjoy top‑tier healthcare with multiple medical plan options to fit individual and family needs, along with dental and vision coverage.

Additional benefits include generous PTO and holidays, retirement savings and wealth management resources, a student loan repayment program, backup care, parental and personal leave with reintegration support, wellness and mental health resources, EAP, commuter benefits, and flexible spending and health savings accounts . Hinshaw also recognizes and rewards long‑term commitment through its employee anniversary program .

Your growth matters at Hinshaw. Through a dedicated Mentor Program, Hinshaw University skills development, Trial Workshops, and free monthly CLE programs , attorneys have meaningful opportunities to sharpen their skills and advance their careers. Our Peer Recognition Program allows you to be recognized and recognize fellow peers for outstanding work. Flexible career tracks allow you to shape your professional path, while coast‑to‑coast pro bono opportunities provide the chance to make an impact in communities across the country.

At Hinshaw, you’re not just joining a firm; you’re joining a firm invested in your success, your career, and your life.

As an EOE/AA employer, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

NOTICE TO SEARCH FIRMS: Search firms that wish to present candidates to Hinshaw must submit all candidates exclusively through Hinshaw’s Recruitment Team. All resumes and candidate information must be directed to the Recruitment Team to be considered for current or future opportunities. Submissions made outside of this process will not be reviewed, will not establish candidate ownership, and will not create an obligation for Hinshaw to pay a placement fee.