Associate Attorney, Civil Litigation Defense

1872 Consulting; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

1872 Consulting is seeking an Associate Attorney, Civil Litigation Defense, to manage files from assignment through trial preparation across multiple offices. You will lead investigations, depositions and the drafting of pleadings and motions, working closely with equity partners to advance to second-chair roles.

Candidates must have a JD, an active license, and 2–5 years of civil litigation experience (4+ in Portland). Offices include St. Louis, Madison/Green Bay, Seattle, and Portland.

Qualifications

• JD and an active license in good standing in the state of office.
• 2 to 5 years of civil litigation experience; 4+ years for Portland.
• Hands-on deposition and motion practice on your own files.
• Clear, persuasive legal writing.

Responsibilities

• Manage files through every stage of litigation, independently and as part of a team.
• Take and defend depositions and prepare witnesses.
• Draft pleadings, written discovery, dispositive motions and briefs, and argue them.
• Prepare for trial and support the trial team, including witness examinations.
• Analyze medical records, policies, contracts and other key documents.

Skills

Civil Litigation

Depositions

Legal Writing

Education

JD

Job description

Associate Attorney, Civil Litigation Defense

Locations: St. Louis, MO | Madison or Green Bay, WI | Seattle, WA | Portland, OR

Base salary: $100,000 to $160,000 depending on office and experience, plus bonus

About the firm

Our client is an established civil litigation defense and trial firm with about 100 attorneys across the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. The firm defends businesses, healthcare providers, insurers and public entities in personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, employment and civil rights matters. It is known for trying cases and for getting associates in front of witnesses, judges and juries early.

The role

The firm is adding experienced associates in four offices to support partners with full caseloads, so no book of business is needed. You will run your own files from first assignment through trial preparation, including investigation, discovery, depositions, motions and hearings. You will work directly with equity partners who bring associates into second-chair trial roles and invest in building trial lawyers.

Openings by office

• St. Louis, MO: medical malpractice defense team. 2 to 4 years. $120,000 to $140,000. In-office.
• Madison or Green Bay, WI: personal injury and insurance defense. 2 to 4 years. $110,000 to $140,000. In-office.
• Seattle, WA: government and public entity defense, personal injury, medical malpractice. 2 to 5 years. $100,000 to $160,000. Hybrid.
• Portland, OR: toxic tort, employment and civil rights defense. 4+ years. $125,000 to $150,000. Hybrid.

What you will do

• Manage files through every stage of litigation, independently and as part of a team
• Take and defend depositions and prepare witnesses
• Draft pleadings, written discovery, dispositive motions and briefs, and argue them
• Prepare for trial and support the trial team, including witness examinations
• Analyze medical records, policies, contracts and other key documents

What you bring

• JD and an active license in good standing in the state of the office you are applying to
• 2 to 5 years of civil litigation experience (4+ for Portland); defense side preferred, plaintiff personal injury welcome
• Hands-on deposition and motion practice on your own files
• Clear, persuasive legal writing
• A second license is a plus: Illinois (St. Louis), Oregon (Seattle), Washington (Portland)
• Local to the office, or relocating with your bar license already in hand

Compensation and benefits

Base salary by office as listed above, plus a bonus for hours above an 1,800 billable target. Medical, dental, vision, basic and voluntary life insurance, long-term disability and 401(k) with match.