Associate Attorney — Construction & Premises Liability Defense

Orion Placement; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Employer in New York, NY is seeking an experienced litigation defense associate to handle construction defect, construction accident, and premises liability matters in state and federal court.

You will draft pleadings, take and defend depositions, analyze risk, and develop case strategy in a collaborative, hybrid 4-day in-office/1-day remote schedule; NY Bar admission and 2+ years of defense experience required, with strong trial exposure encouraged.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of litigation defense experience required; defense strongly preferred
• Construction, premises liability, or general liability background strongly preferred
• 1,900-hour annual billing minimum
• Trial experience a plus — the firm actively supports associate trial participation

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of pre-trial litigation in construction defect, construction accident, and premises liability defense matters in New York state and federal courts
• Draft and respond to pleadings, discovery demands, and dispositive motions; argue motions before the court
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and experts
• Analyze risk, develop case strategy, and communicate recommendations directly to clients
• Coordinate with expert witnesses and communicate with opposing counsel
• Research complex legal issues and produce polished written work product
• Work toward case resolution in a collaborative environment where your judgment is trusted and your contributions matter

Skills

Litigation defense

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Case management

Education

New York State Bar admission

Job description

• Join one of the most recognized litigation defense firms in New York — a firm with a national reputation, Tier 1 rankings, and a client roster that spans Fortune 100 corporations to major international insurers
• Handle complex, substantive construction defense matters from day one — pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, and real courtroom experience
• Work alongside elite practitioners consistently named among the Best Lawyers in America and New York Super Lawyers, in an environment built for attorney development
• Benefit from a hybrid schedule that gives you flexibility without sacrificing the mentorship and collaboration that come from working alongside seasoned litigators
• Competitive compensation that rewards experience — this is a firm that pays for talent
• Join a practice that has been growing its construction defense presence and offers room for associates to grow with it
• Be part of a team with deep expertise across construction, maritime, aviation, products liability, and general liability — a platform that keeps the work intellectually engaging

Location: Lower Manhattan, New York, NY — a 4-day in-office / 1-day remote hybrid schedule (Monday or Friday). The firm offers genuine flexibility when life requires it, while maintaining the hands-on, collaborative environment that makes associates here better lawyers.

Note: Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar. This role requires 2+ years of litigation defense experience, with a strong preference for defense, construction, premises liability, or general liability backgrounds. Candidates without NY Bar admission or the required litigation experience will not be considered.

About Us

We are a nationally recognized, full-service litigation defense firm headquartered in Lower Manhattan with a decades-long track record of handling complex matters for major insurance underwriters, construction companies, vessel owners, and Fortune 100 corporations. Our attorneys are consistently ranked among the best in the country across maritime, construction, and general liability practice areas — and we're proud of the culture we've built around rigorous legal work, mentorship, and long-term attorney growth. Confidential Employer.

Job Description

• Manage all phases of pre-trial litigation in construction defect, construction accident, and premises liability defense matters in New York state and federal courts
• Draft and respond to pleadings, discovery demands, and dispositive motions; argue motions before the court
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and experts
• Analyze risk, develop case strategy, and communicate recommendations directly to clients
• Coordinate with expert witnesses and communicate with opposing counsel
• Research complex legal issues and produce polished written work product
• Work toward case resolution in a collaborative environment where your judgment is trusted and your contributions matter

Qualifications

• 2+ years of litigation defense experience required; defense strongly preferred
• Construction, premises liability, or general liability background strongly preferred
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Ability to independently manage a caseload with a high level of responsibility
• 1,900-hour annual billing minimum
• Trial experience a plus — the firm actively supports associate trial participation
• Additional bar admissions a plus

Why You Will Love Working Here

This is a firm where associates do real work — not doc review. You'll handle complex construction defense matters, stand up in court, and develop the kind of litigation instincts that come only from genuine hands‑on experience. The team is deeply experienced, the clients are sophisticated, and the cases are anything but routine. Add a hybrid schedule, competitive pay, and the prestige of working at one of the most decorated litigation defense shops in the country, and this is a role that can genuinely shape a career.