Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Associate 

Dallas or Houston, TX   •   Santa Fe, NM   •   Full-Time   •   In-Office  

About Durham, Pittard & Spalding 

Durham, Pittard & Spalding, LLP (DP&S) is a nationally recognized civil appellate and strategic litigation support firm with offices in Dallas, TX, Santa Fe, NM, and Houston, TX. Ranked Tier 1 by Best Lawyers and home to multiple Texas and New Mexico Super Lawyers, DP&S has built its reputation on providing sophisticated appellate counsel and substantive trial support to law firms handling complex, high-stakes civil matters. We work across a wide range of civil practice areas including personal injury, commercial litigation, products liability, and more, serving primarily as strategic partners to trial attorneys throughout the litigation lifecycle. 

The Opportunity 

DP&S is growing and seeking experienced litigation attorneys to join its Dallas, Houston and Santa Fe offices. These are not traditional associate roles — we are looking for attorneys who think strategically, write with precision, and can serve as trusted counsel to trial lawyers and clients through every phase of a case. You will work at the intersection of trial support and appellate practice, contributing substantively from early case strategy through post-trial proceedings and appeal. 

What You'll Do 

• Provide strategic litigation support to trial teams across all stages of civil litigation, from pre-trial motions through trial and appeal 

• Research and draft substantive motions, including dispositive motions, motions in limine, Daubert challenges, jury charge submissions, and appellate briefs 

• Serve as the appellate counsel on the trial team during trial 

• Analyze trial records and identify, preserve, and develop issues for appellate review 

• Collaborate directly with trial counsel to shape litigation strategy and build a clean, defensible record 

• Contribute to business development efforts, including building relationships with referral sources, participating in CLE presentations, and supporting firm marketing initiatives 

• Engage with clients and co-counsel as a credible, substantive legal resource 

What We're Looking For 

• J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing in Texas or New Mexico 

• 3+ years of civil litigation or clerkship experience, with meaningful exposure to motion practice, trial support, or appellate work 

• Exceptional legal research and writing skills  

• Ability to manage complex legal issues across a range of civil matters independently and as part of a team 

• Strong professional judgment and the ability to provide clear, strategic counsel under pressure 

• Portable business or an existing referral network is a meaningful plus, but not required 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to business development as an ongoing part of your practice 

Why DP&S 

• A firm that has spent 20+ years doing one thing extremely well — appellate and trial support — and is recognized nationally for it 

• Work on high-stakes, complex civil matters alongside attorneys who are consistently recognized as the top trial lawyers in the country 

• A collaborative, intellectually rigorous environment that values excellent legal work above all else 

• Opportunities to develop your own practice and profile through business development, CLE speaking, and client relationships 

• Offices in Dallas and Houston (TX) and Santa Fe (NM) — vibrant markets with strong legal communities 

To Apply 

This search is being conducted by Flex HR on behalf of Durham, Pittard & Spalding, LLP. Qualified candidates should submit a resume within. 

Flex HR uses AI tools for document drafting and meeting transcription only. All candidate evaluation and hiring recommendations are made by a human recruiter. Flex HR sources candidates through third-party platforms including Indeed and LinkedIn, which operate independently and may use AI within their own technology.