Construction Defect Attorney

CAROLINA LEGAL ASSOCIATES; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 115,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing

Pension plan

Health insurance (employer-paid)

Path to partnership

Job summary

CAROLINA LEGAL ASSOCIATES seeks a Construction Litigation Counsel to lead high-stakes defense for general contractors and upstream parties in Upstate/Coastal SC. This is a keys-to-the-car opportunity with a clear path to partnership and direct access to major insurance carriers.

Responsibilities include handling complex defense matters, strategic discovery, and collaboration with engineers and experts to build a winning defense while mentoring junior attorneys.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in Construction Defect or Insurance Defense litigation.
• Active, good-standing license to practice law in South Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Lead defense for construction defect and insurance matters from inception to resolution.
• Own discovery, depositions, and strategic file management with minimal oversight.
• Mentor junior associates and contribute to a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Coordinate with clients and carriers to optimize strategy and outcomes.

Skills

Construction defect

Insurance defense

Litigation

Job description

Construction Litigation Counsel (GC Defense) – Upstate / Coastal SC

If you have spent the last few years mastering the nuances of Chapter 40, equitable indemnity, and additional insured tenders, you shouldn't be "checking in" with a partner every time you want to schedule a deposition. You should be running the room.

Our client, a premier South Carolina defense firm, is seeking a Construction Litigation Attorney to lead high-stakes defense for general contractors and upstream parties. This is a "keys to the car" opportunity for a seasoned litigator who wants a direct line to major insurance carriers and a transparent path to partnership.

The Compensation & Premium Benefits:

• Salary: Starting at $115,000 – $165,000+ (Negotiable based on experience and portable business, though a book is not required).
• Wealth Building: Profit-sharing and a pension plan—a rarity in the modern legal market.
• Health & Wellness: 100% employer-covered health insurance for the employee.
• Balanced Billables: A realistic 1,850 target that respects your life outside the office, with significant bonuses for those who choose to exceed goals.

Why This Firm?

• Direct Carrier Access: You aren't just drafting reports for a partner to sign. You are building your own professional brand with national insurance carriers.
• Strategic Autonomy: You are the architect. From initial strategy and budget management to mediation and trial, you own the file.
• Geographic Flexibility: Openings available in Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston.

The Mission:

• Lead the Charge: Manage complex construction defect and insurance defense matters from inception through resolution.
• Advanced Discovery: Own the deposition room with subcontractors, fact witnesses, and corporate representatives.
• Solve the Puzzle: Synthesize prime contracts, RFIs, and change orders to find the winning edge in multi-party litigation.
• Technical Advocacy: Collaborate with engineering and damages experts to build a rock-solid defense and draft high-stakes mediation briefs.

What Makes You the Closer?

• The Experience: Minimum of 2 years in Construction Defect or Insurance Defense litigation. You should be comfortable defending general contractors and upstream parties.
• The License: Active, good-standing license to practice law in South Carolina.
• Independence: You can handle substantive pleadings, motions, and complex trade-based allocations with minimal oversight.
• Leadership: You enjoy mentoring junior associates and contributing to a collaborative, high-performance culture.

Ready to build your legacy instead of someone else\'s?

Our agency is an equal opportunity recruiter, and all inquiries are kept private.