Senior Defense Litigation Attorney

The role

This person will manage a complex defense litigation caseload from start to finish, including trial, mediation, or settlement. The work covers general liability, premises, products, construction, transportation, or insurance matters, with direct contact with in-house counsel and national clients.

What you will do

• Independently manage a complex defense litigation caseload from inception through resolution, including trial, mediation, or negotiated settlement
• Develop and implement case strategy, including early case assessment, motion practice, discovery planning, and trial preparation
• Draft and argue substantive motions, pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda in state and federal courts
• Take and defend depositions, manage written discovery, and work closely with expert witnesses
• Represent clients at court hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and other dispute resolution proceedings
• Provide strategic legal advice and regular case status updates to clients, including in-house counsel and insurance representatives
• Collaborate with partners and colleagues across offices on complex litigation and multi-jurisdictional cases
• Supervise and mentor junior attorneys and legal support staff as appropriate
• Participate in trial preparation, including witness preparation, exhibit management, and trial strategy development
• Maintain strong client relationships while delivering high-quality legal work and responsive client service

Required qualifications

• JD from an ABA accredited law school
• Admitted to practice in the state of Texas
• 8+ years of defense litigation experience
• Experience with litigation involving general liability, premises, products, transportation, construction, or insurance
• Superior analytical skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Sophisticated technical skills

Nice to have

• Experience with litigation involving general liability, premises, products, transportation, construction, or insurance
• First chair trial experience

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Generous PTO
• 401(k) match
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• Access to corporate discount programs and employee benefits
• Hybrid flexibility that supports work-life balance
• Long-term growth within a nationally recognized firm

Before you apply

• Recruitment agencies may submit candidates only with an active, signed fee agreement dated as of 7/1/2024 and access through the Recruitment Agency Portal
• The firm participates in E-Verify and verifies work authorization for all new hires

About the company

Wilson Elser is a national law firm with more than 1,400 attorneys across 46 offices nationwide. The firm is recognized among the top 100 law firms by The American Lawyer and ranked #30 in the National Law Journal's survey of the largest law firms.