Commercial Litigation Associate Attorney

the Firm; Arkansas; On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Dep. &.

401(k) with Profit-Sharing

Discretionary bonuses

Paid holidays & leave

Job summary

Kutak Rock LLP seeks an Associate to join its Litigation practice in its Fayetteville office. This role focuses on Commercial Litigation and offers hands-on experience in trial preparation, depositions, and court appearances while collaborating with experienced partners.

The firm emphasizes growth toward partnership in a collegial environment and values candidates with strong writing, research, and client-relations skills, and a willingness to learn across insurance defense and related matters.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice in Arkansas with an active bar license or able to be admitted within one year of hire.
• 1+ years of civil litigation experience or exposure.
• Experience in insurance defense, product liability, construction, personal injury, or commercial litigation preferred.
• Strong academic credentials and teamwork is valued.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cases for trial and assist with deposition and court appearances.
• Take and defend depositions and participate in mediations and settlements.
• Draft and answer pleadings and motions; manage discovery and client communications.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Case management

Pleading & motions drafting

Deposition handling

Independent & collaborative work

Education

Arkansas bar admission

Civil litigation experience

Judicial clerkship / law review (favored)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Kutak Rock LLP seeks an Associate to join its Litigation practice in its Fayetteville office. This role is well-suited to candidates interested in Commercial Litigation who have a desire to develop their knowledge and experience in Insurance Defense, Product Liability, Construction, and Personal Injury matters while working closely with experienced partners. This position offers the opportunity for immediate hands‑on experience preparing cases for trial, taking and defending depositions, and participating in other court appearances.

Kutak Rock, a U.S. News and World Report rated "Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms", provides associates the opportunity to grow their legal career as they matriculate toward partnership opportunities in a collegial and collaborative environment.

QUALIFICATIONS: Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in legal research methods, including ability to clearly communicate issues, holdings, and reasoning
• Clear, cogent, and organized writing style and strong communication skills
• Ability to manage and organize workload, including maintaining communication with partners and staff members
• Experience with drafting and answering pleadings and motions
• Experience or willingness to learn how to handle all aspects of complex civil litigation matters, including client communications, motions, discovery responses, taking and defending depositions, court appearances, mediations, and negotiating settlements
• Ability and confidence to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, team environment
• Ability to work professionally and respectfully with partners, associates, and support staff
• Ability to be mentored and taught remotely by attorneys in other offices
• Commitment to interacting directly with and achieving the goals of firm clients

QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience

• Admitted to practice in Arkansas with an active bar license in good standing or able to be admitted within one year of hire through examination or waiver
• One or more years of experience in civil litigation with experience in insurance defense, product liability, construction, personal injury, or commercial litigation matters preferred, but not required
• Preference will be given to those with strong academic credentials, a judicial clerkship, law review experience, and/or a demonstrated ability to play a substantive, supportive role in all aspects of complex litigation

Position Information

Status: Exempt

Work Arrangement: In Office

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Dependent Life, Disability, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance.
• Flexible Spending Plan.
• Health Savings Account.
• Fertility coverage assistance.
• Adoption and surrogacy financial assistance.
• Nine Paid Holidays per calendar year.
• Flexible paid vacation leave.
• 1 hours of paid sick leave accrued for every 30 hours worked.
• Paid parental leave.
• Bereavement, jury duty, military leave.
• Profit-Sharing and 401(k) Retirement benefits.
• Discretionary bonuses.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Back-Up Care.
• Domestic Partner Benefits.
• Technology Allowance.
• Some of the foregoing benefits include Employer/Employee cost sharing.

Additional Information

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Consideration of any background check will be an individualized assessment based on the applicant or employee’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job.

About the Firm

Kutak Rock was formed in 1965 with a commitment to exceptional client service delivered with a collaborative, team-focused approach. Our founding charter commits the firm to “allow and encourage each individual within it to be a full person,” and we strive to offer an exceptional professional environment, intellectually challenging and engaging work in multiple disciplines, competitive compensation and benefits, opportunities for training and career development. We are a leading national law firm with locations in 21 cities united by our common commitment to our core values of client service; integrity and fairness; innovation; and inclusiveness and diversity.

We are dedicated to the maintenance of a respectful, collegial, communicative, and equal opportunity workplace that encourages and rewards innovation and entrepreneurship. We measure our success not just on the basis of our revenues or our profits, but by the satisfaction we deliver for our clients and the health, engagement and loyalty of our people.