Associate Attorney (Indianapolis)

Kightlinger & Gray, LLP; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kightlinger & Gray, LLP is seeking an Associate to support a broad mix of complex litigation, including bodily injury and professional liability matters, under supervision. The role emphasizes client communication, file management, and timely billing while developing partnership potential within the firm.

The successful candidate will hold a JD with an active Indiana license, bring private practice experience, and be prepared to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• JD required and Indiana license to practice.
• Experience in a private practice background preferred.
• Stayed current on annual continuing legal education requirements.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Ability to handle complex litigation matters and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze matters to provide competent representation.
• Draft documents and route them through office procedures to produce final documents.
• Follow Rules of Professional Conduct and firm liability guidelines.
• Conduct legal research using approved resources.
• Communicate status of matters with department head, partners, and clients.
• Organize tasks with competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Supervise work of paralegal and legal assistant.
• Record time to meet billing requirements.
• Represent the firm in negotiations, depositions, and trials.

Skills

Independent judgment

Client communication

Time management

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Indiana license to practice

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

About this position

SUMMARY: The Associate serves to support Kightlinger & Gray LLP in the administrative functions assigned to the role. Following established protocols and procedures, this position brings high value to the firm by performing a variety of duties under supervision. Associates are required to bill their time for work performed and meet firm-appointed annual billable goal. This role requires the versatility to handle a broad mix of complex litigation matters and catastrophic loss defense——including bodily injury, property damage, indemnity, defamation, invasion of privacy, and legal malpractice. Ideal candidates have experience billing their time and are motivated to independently run files and engage with clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Reviews and analyzes newly assigned and existing matters in order to provide competent legal representation.
• Drafts all necessary documents to provide legal representation to clients and routes them through the appropriate office procedures to produce final documents.
• Follows the ethical requirements as set forth by the Rules of Professional Conduct and comply with all requirements of the firm’s professional liability insurer.
• Performs necessary legal research using approved resources, including libraries and computer data systems.
• Demonstrates interest, ability, and aptitude toward possible partnership through work product, firm activities, professional development, and community engagement.
• Proactively advises and communicates regularly with department head, partner(s), other attorneys and/or clients regarding the status of matters.
• Organizes and arranges numerous tasks, often with competing priorities, and completes them under time constraints.
• Supervises work of legal assistant and/or paralegal.
• Records, monitors and meets all deadlines associated with client matters, court dockets, and assignments.
• Diligently records time to meet established billing requirements.
• Formulates and communicates well-founded legal analysis and/or opinions.
• Able to conduct negotiations, depositions, mediations, and other client meetings.
• Able to successfully litigate cases in court, before a judge or jury, either in-person or via electronic participation.
• Astute ability to effectively communicate needs and expectations to courts, opposing counsel, clients, and members of the firm, primarily in writing.
• Join and be actively involved in professional and/or trade organizations approved by supervising partner; serves to represent well the firm within legal community.
• Keep necessary stakeholders informed of your schedule, availability, and deadlines.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on an illuminated screen.
• Operation of customary office equipment to include a computer, phone, messaging systems, copier, document management software, etc.
• Available during core business hours of Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Work in excess of 40 hours/week can sometimes be required to meet the business needs of the firm.
• Lift and handle physical files, boxes, and case evidence or exhibits (up-to 25 lbs).
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion to perform substantive legal functions in client matters.
• A curious appetite for new areas of law as practiced within our firm.
• Previous experience in a similar role, sufficient to gain usable working knowledge of the position, with preference given to those from a private practice background.
• This position requires a Juris Doctorate degree and a valid/active license to practice in the State of Indiana.
• Stays current on annual continuing legal education requirements; remains an attorney in good standing.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to successfully interact with all levels of the organization, clients, prospective clients, and vendors.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with a strong sense of customer service to internal and external needs.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

OUR PLEDGE:

Kightlinger & Gray, LLP does not discriminate against any person in any matters related to employment on account of race, sex, gender, orientation, identity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other classification as protected by applicable laws. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant, candidate, or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of the hiring process up-to and through employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our Director of Human Resources.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities, activities, or duties required of the employee for this position. Responsibilities, duties or expected abilities may change at any time with or without notice to meet the ongoing needs of the firm.