Civil Defense Litigation Associate

Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO and holidays

Birthday day off

401(k) match

Job summary

Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search seeks an experienced Civil Defense Litigation Associate for a respected defense firm in Tampa, FL. This full-time role handles a diverse caseload from inception through trial in medical malpractice, premises liability, auto, and trucking matters.

The ideal attorney will own case strategy, take depositions, lead hearings and mediations, and collaborate with seasoned litigators in a growth-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Must hold active Florida Bar membership in good standing.
• 2–7 years of civil litigation experience.
• Experience with insurance defense, medical malpractice, premises liability, automobile liability, or trucking claims.

Responsibilities

• Manage civil defense matters from inception to final resolution.
• Develop case strategies through research and risk assessment.
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery responses, and trial briefs.
• Take and defend depositions of parties, witnesses, and experts.
• Represent clients at hearings, mediations, and trials.
• Lead settlement negotiations and ADR.
• Prepare cases for trial with witness prep and evidentiary strategy.
• Maintain accurate billable time records per guidelines.

Skills

Civil litigation

Deposition experience

Mediation experience

Courtroom advocacy

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Opportunity

A highly respected civil litigation defense firm is seeking an experienced Civil Defense Litigation Associate to join its dynamic legal team. This full-time role offers an exceptional opportunity to manage a diverse caseload of complex personal injury defense matters—including medical malpractice, premises liability, automobile liability, and trucking claims—from case inception through trial resolution. The ideal attorney will take ownership of case strategy, conduct depositions, lead hearings and mediations, and collaborate alongside seasoned litigators in a supportive environment structured for long-term career growth.

About the Company

Our client is a premier, highly collaborative civil defense litigation firm renowned for its steadfast commitment to legal excellence and client advocacy. With a reputation for handling high-stakes defense cases across medical malpractice and complex personal injury litigation, the firm fosters a professional, supportive, and growth-oriented culture where legal talent is nurtured and individual contributions make a direct impact.

Location

This position is based full-time in-person in Tampa, Florida. The role is ideal for legal professionals serving the broader Tampa Metro Area market who thrive in an active courtroom environment and collaborative office setting.

What You Will Do

• Manage a diverse caseload of civil defense litigation matters from inception through final resolution.
• Develop comprehensive case strategies through targeted legal research, analysis, and risk assessment.
• Draft persuasive pleadings, motions, discovery responses, and trial briefs.
• Take and defend depositions of parties, key witnesses, and medical/technical experts.
• Represent clients directly at court hearings, site inspections, mediations, and trial proceedings.
• Lead settlement negotiations and represent client interests during alternative dispute resolution.
• Prepare cases thoroughly for trial, including witness preparation and evidentiary strategy.
• Maintain accurate billable time records in full compliance with firm and client guidelines.

Who You Are

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with active membership in good standing with The Florida Bar. 2 to 7 years of civil litigation experience, with a focus on insurance defense, medical malpractice, premises liability, automobile liability, or trucking claims.
• Demonstrated experience managing litigation files from inception through trial preparation.
• Proven deposition, mediation, hearing, and courtroom advocacy experience.
• Strong working knowledge of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Proficiency with legal research platforms such as Westlaw or Lexis and Microsoft Office Suite.

Ideal Candidate Profile

An analytical, detail-oriented legal advocate with exceptional written, oral, and courtroom communication skills. Possesses strong organizational and time-management abilities, with the confidence to independently manage complex caseloads while seamlessly collaborating within a legal team environment.

Flexibility & Work-Life Integration

• Work Structure: Full-time in-office position.
• Schedule: Standard business hours Monday through Friday, with flexibility required for trial and court deadlines.
• Environment: Fast-paced, professional, and collaborative law office culture.

Why Join the Team?

Joining this established firm offers litigators a rare balance of high-caliber courtroom experience, mentorship from industry leaders, and a genuine work-life balance culture. Team members enjoy a complete health benefit suite (medical, dental, vision, HSA, disability, and life insurance), a generous PTO program including paid firm holidays and a paid birthday day off, and a robust 401(k) retirement plan with company match.