Associate Attorney

Law Offices of Houston M. Smith, P.C.; Terrell (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Law Offices of Houston M. Smith, P.C. seeks a motivated personal injury litigation attorney in Texas to manage cases from interview to resolution. Preference for candidates with first chair jury trial experience to verdict, plus deposition and complex motion practice.

The ideal attorney will have excellent analytical, oral, and writing abilities, and be able to take on an immediate caseload across various stages of litigation, hitting the ground running in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• First chair jury trial experience preferred but not required.
• Strong analytical, oral and writing skills.
• Ability to handle an immediate caseload in various stages of litigation.

Responsibilities

• Interview prospective clients with case manager input as needed.
• Gather liability and damages evidence to support the client's claim.
• Analyze issues to identify additional responsible parties or impact on recovery.
• Negotiate with insurers to settle cases when appropriate and discuss with client about filing suit.
• Draft summons and complaint; coordinate service of process.
• Locate defendants for service; manage pleadings and discovery responses.
• Engage experts to prove the claim; coordinate with accident reconstructionists or medical experts.
• Prepare for and file court documents with witnesses and exhibits.
• Prepare for mediation and assist in post-trial motions if necessary.
• Communicate with clients regularly and assist with case evaluation.
• Manage docket of litigation files, including research, depositions, hearings, and trials.

Skills

Trial experience

Deposition experience

Legal writing

Oral communications

Case management

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Our firm is seeking a highly motivated personal injury litigation attorney! We would prefer that the candidate has some first chair experience trying jury trial cases to verdict, and have experience taking/defending depositions and drafting/arguing complex dispositive motions, but not required.

Must have exceptional analytical, oral and writing skills, and be able to take on an immediate caseload in various stages of litigation and hit the ground running.

Job Duties

• Assist the case manager in the interview of the prospective client, if need be
• Gather liability and damage evidence to support the client's claim, if need be
• Analyze the legal issues involved in the case to determine if there are other parties that may be responsible for the claim or if there are facts that might diminish the client's recovery
• Negotiate with the insurance adjuster to settle the claim in Litigation cases. Discuss negotiations with the client to determine if a lawsuit will be filed.
• If a lawsuit needs to be filed, prepare and draft the summons and complaint (Attorney or Paralegal)
• Locate the defendant(s) so they can be served with the summons and complaint (Attorney or Paralegal)
• Generate pleadings, manage written discovery to the defendant(s) and respond to written discovery from the defendant(s) (Interrogatories, requests for production and requests for admissions) (Attorney or Paralegal)
• Hire the necessary experts to prove client's claim. This may include an accident reconstructionist and/or medical expert
• File all necessary documents with the court identifying witnesses and exhibits (Attorney or Paralegal)
• Prepare for and attend mediation (Attorney attends and Paralegal prepares)
• For larger exposure cases hire and present case to focus group(s)
• Draft or respond to any post-trial motions if necessary
• Communicate with clients on regular basis.
• Assist with case evaluation and screening, and assist intake department as needed
• Manage a docket of litigation files, which may include drafting motions, pleadings, memoranda and briefs, discovery demands and responses, conducting legal research, preparing for and attending depositions, hearings, trials, and communicating with courts and opposing parties
• Work closely with other attorneys and team members on legal matters
• Formulate legal strategy, developing legal arguments, and case management
• Notify other employees when you have settled a case so they can update their list

Company Description

We are a small personal injury law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families after serious accidents. Our practice focuses on car and truck accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. We work closely with our clients to provide compassionate support and strong legal advocacy during difficult times.

Company Description

We are a small personal injury law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families after serious accidents. Our practice focuses on car and truck accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. We work closely with our clients to provide compassionate support and strong legal advocacy during difficult times.