Construction Litigation Attorney - Houston, Texas

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

A Houston-based law firm focused on construction law and complex commercial disputes is seeking a Construction Litigation Attorney to join its growing team in a full-time, on-site position . This role is primarily litigation-focused, with approximately 99% of responsibilities involving dispute resolution, case management, courtroom advocacy, and client representation.

The attorney will manage construction and commercial litigation matters from intake through resolution, including drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, advising clients, negotiating settlements, attending hearings, participating in mediations and arbitrations, and preparing matters for trial. While direct construction law experience is strongly preferred, attorneys from commercial litigation, insurance litigation, real estate litigation, criminal litigation, or other courtroom-intensive practices are encouraged to apply if they possess strong advocacy, legal writing, and case management skills.

Key Responsibilities

Construction Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Manage residential and commercial construction disputes.
• Represent contractors, subcontractors, property owners, businesses, and other construction-industry clients.
• Analyze construction contracts, project records, payment disputes, change orders, and related evidence.
• Evaluate claims, defenses, damages, settlement opportunities, and litigation risks.
• Advise clients regarding construction law, contractual obligations, compliance, and dispute resolution strategies.

Litigation Case Management

• Independently manage cases from intake through settlement, arbitration, or trial.
• Develop litigation strategies and case plans.
• Monitor case deadlines, court appearances, mediation schedules, and discovery obligations.
• Maintain organized case files and provide status updates on active matters.
• Coordinate case progression and identify strategic opportunities.

Legal Writing & Motion Practice

• Draft pleadings, motions, responses, briefs, discovery requests, and legal correspondence.
• Conduct legal and factual research.
• Prepare demand letters, settlement proposals, and case evaluations.
• Ensure all filings comply with court rules and procedural requirements.
• Review documents for legal, factual, and grammatical accuracy.

Discovery & Depositions

• Develop and execute discovery strategies.
• Draft and respond to interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and subpoenas.
• Conduct and defend depositions.
• Review document productions and identify deficiencies.
• Coordinate evidence collection with clients, experts, and support staff.

Courtroom Advocacy & Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Attend hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials.
• Prepare witnesses, exhibits, and evidentiary presentations.
• Present oral arguments and advocate on behalf of clients.
• Negotiate settlements and business resolutions.
• Maintain professional communication with courts, opposing counsel, mediators, and arbitrators.

Contract Review & Risk Management

• Review and draft construction contracts, subcontracts, amendments, and change orders.
• Interpret contractual rights and obligations.
• Advise clients regarding risk exposure, payment provisions, compliance issues, and dispute-prevention strategies.

Client Communication & Relationship Management

• Communicate directly with clients regarding legal strategy, risks, costs, deadlines, and expected outcomes.
• Provide practical business-oriented legal advice.
• Prepare clients for hearings, depositions, mediation, arbitration, and trial.
• Maintain consistent client communication and responsiveness.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with partners, associates, paralegals, and support staff.
• Participate in case strategy and file review meetings.
• Collaborate on complex matters and support firm initiatives.
• Contribute to a professional, accountable, and team-oriented work environment.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active Texas law license in good standing.
• Minimum of one year of post-licensure legal practice experience .
• Meaningful litigation experience.
• Experience drafting pleadings, motions, discovery, and other litigation documents.
• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities.
• Ability to communicate confidently and professionally with clients.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Commitment to full-time, on-site work in Houston.
• Ability to meet a minimum requirement of 140 billable hours per month .
• Strong professional judgment, integrity, and ethical standards.
• Genuine interest in construction law, commercial disputes, or the construction industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct construction law or construction litigation experience.
• Experience representing contractors, subcontractors, developers, or property owners.
• Commercial litigation experience.
• Trial experience or substantial courtroom advocacy experience.
• Experience independently managing a litigation docket.
• First-party insurance litigation experience.
• Arbitration and mediation experience.
• Construction contract drafting and review experience.
• Real estate litigation experience.
• Experience handling mechanic's liens, payment disputes, construction defects, project delays, or contract claims.
• Familiarity with construction industry operations and project management.
• Federal court litigation experience.
• Spanish language proficiency.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work full-time from the Houston office.
• Ability to attend in-person hearings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, inspections, and trials.
• Ability to travel locally for client meetings, court appearances, and project-related matters.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods while reviewing case files, drafting legal documents, and conducting research.
• Ability to review and analyze large volumes of contracts, financial records, discovery materials, and construction-related documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication platforms.
• Ability to maintain productivity and meet billable-hour expectations in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• Ability to manage approximately 40-60 active matters simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting critical deadlines.

Company Description