Senior Litigation Attorney

Senior Litigation Attorney — Business Disputes KEW Legal, P.A. | Sunny Isles Beach, FL | Full-Time | In-office First 90 Days | Hybrid Potential Thereafter $160K–$180K base + 10% origination + performance bonus + 1,560-hour requirement About KEW Legal & the Role KEW Legal is a business and real estate law firm serving entrepreneurs, investors, developers, and growing companies throughout Florida. We provide practical, strategic counsel that helps our clients protect their businesses, navigate disputes, and move opportunities forward. We are a team of 10 and are currently adding a Senior Litigation Attorney to lead and strengthen our litigation practice. We are looking for someone who tries cases. Our clients are often on the receiving end of positions taken because someone assumed they would fold, and they don’t. We need a seasoned litigator who can assess a matter, tell the client candidly whether it is worth fighting, and, when it is, be prepared to see it through discovery, hearings, trial, or arbitration. This is an independent docket with meaningful autonomy. You will own your matters, develop case strategy, manage client relationships, and be accountable for the quality and execution of your work. When your litigation calendar permits, you will also handle select transactional matters, including commercial agreements, entity matters, and general business counsel. This role does not carry real estate files; our real estate practice is handled separately. You will be our senior litigator. We are looking for someone whose experience and judgment allow them to lead matters confidently from day one, make sound strategic decisions, and serve as a trusted advisor to both our clients and the firm. What You’ll Do Litigation — the core of this role Own and manage business and commercial disputes from inception through final resolution Prepare and review demand letters and negotiate settlement terms and agreements Draft pleadings, dispositive motions, discovery motions, and written discovery Take and defend depositions Lead evidentiary hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials Develop case strategy and manage litigation budgets, with accountability for both Counsel clients candidly on risk, exposure, cost, and realistic outcomes—including when settlement is the right strategy and when it is not Transactional — When Litigation Permits Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including vendor contracts Assist with business formations, governance, and other entity-related matters Handle renewals, amendments, extensions, and terminations of existing agreements Provide practical, ongoing counsel to business owners and investors on transactional and general business matters What We’re Looking For J.D. and active membership in good standing with The Florida Bar 7+ years of experience litigating business and commercial disputes First-chair experience managing matters independently through contested proceedings and resolution, with demonstrated experience beyond the pleading and mediation stages Meaningful jury and/or bench trial experience, including cases taken through verdict Substantial deposition and motion practice, including taking and defending depositions and briefing and arguing dispositive motions Strong command of Florida state court practice and procedure The judgment and experience to independently manage a litigation docket from intake through resolution The ability to listen to and understand a client’s objectives, then develop and adjust litigation strategy accordingly. The composure and conviction to hold a well-reasoned position under pressure, whether from opposing counsel or a client who may prefer a different answer The confidence to give clients candid advice, even when that advice is difficult to hear Demonstrated ability to draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements . You do not need to be a transactional specialist, but you should be comfortable handling sophisticated business agreements with sound judgment and attention to detail. Strong analytical judgment and meticulous attention to the facts and details that can shape case strategy and outcomes Preferred Background Established client relationships, portable business, or a strong referral network Admission to the Southern District of Florida Admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Professional fluency in Spanish, both written and verbal, as a meaningful portion of our clients prefer to communicate in Spanish Boutique or midsize law firm experience, with responsibility for independently managing a litigation docket Experience with Clio, or comparable legal practice management platforms Compensation and Benefits $160,000–$180,000 base - Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated litigation expertise. 10% Origination Bonus - Earn 10% of collected fees on matters you originate, plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus. 1,560 billable hours per year (130 per month) — A deliberately reasonable target designed to support high-quality work, strong client service, and a sustainable work-life balance. Unlimited PTO — Flexible time off for attorneys who consistently meet their billable expectations and client responsibilities. Medical insurance — the firm pays 50% of your premium IRA with a 3% firm match Dental, vision, and supplemental cancer and accident policies available at employee cost Medical insurance, supplemental policies, and IRA participation begin after 90 days Bar dues, CLE, and reasonable networking expenses paid 11 paid holidays Paid parking Why This Seat We are a small firm with a strong operations function, allowing our attorneys to focus on practicing law and serving their clients. You will manage your own docket, develop direct relationships with your clients, and have meaningful autonomy over the strategy and decisions that drive your cases. If you bring established clients or referral relationships, we want you to continue building them here. You will receive origination credit for the matters you generate, with a compensation structure that directly recognizes both the business you develop and the results you deliver. At KEW Legal, your relationships, contributions, and successes are recognized and rewarded. Our Selection Process Candidates who advance beyond the initial screening will complete a practical written exercise consisting of a case assessment memorandum and contract redline, designed to take approximately two hours. We believe reviewing actual work product provides greater insight than an additional round of interviews and helps us have a more substantive conversation during the interview process. Because our clients entrust us with sensitive business and financial matters, candidates who advance in the selection process will also undergo a background check with written authorization. We will evaluate any findings individually, considering the nature and relevance of the conduct, the time elapsed, and its relationship to the responsibilities of the role. Public disciplinary action by a bar authority or findings involving dishonesty in a professional or financial capacity will be given significant consideration. KEW Legal, P.A. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the hiring process, contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io, and we’ll arrange it. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Plant City