Associate Attorney

AssociateDallas, TX • Full-Time • In-OfficeDurham, 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 OpportunityDP&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 DoProvide strategic litigation support to trial teams across all stages of civil litigation, from pre-trial motions through trial and appealResearch and draft substantive motions, including dispositive motions, motions in limine, Daubert challenges, jury charge submissions, and appellate briefsServe as the appellate counsel on the trial team during trialAnalyze trial records and identify, preserve, and develop issues for appellate reviewCollaborate directly with trial counsel to shape litigation strategy and build a clean, defensible recordContribute to business development efforts, including building relationships with referral sources, participating in CLE presentations, and supporting firm marketing initiativesEngage with clients and co-counsel as a credible, substantive legal resourceWhat We're Looking ForJ.D. from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing in Texas or New Mexico3+ years of civil litigation or clerkship experience, with meaningful exposure to motion practice, trial support, or appellate workExceptional legal research and writing skillsAbility to manage complex legal issues across a range of civil matters independently and as part of a teamStrong professional judgment and the ability to provide clear, strategic counsel under pressurePortable business or an existing referral network is a meaningful plus, but not requiredGenuine interest in and commitment to business development as an ongoing part of your practiceWhy DP&SA firm that has spent 20+ years doing one thing extremely well — appellate and trial support — and is recognized nationally for itWork on high-stakes, complex civil matters alongside attorneys who are consistently recognized as the top trial lawyers in the countryA collaborative, intellectually rigorous environment that values excellent legal work above all elseOpportunities to develop your own practice and profile through business development, CLE speaking, and client relationshipsOffices in Dallas and Houston (TX) and Santa Fe (NM) — vibrant markets with strong legal communities