Construction Litigation Senior Associate or Counsel Attorney

Essenti Talent; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 203,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Essenti Talent is seeking a Senior Associate Attorney or Counsel to join the Construction Litigation Practice Group in Charleston, SC. The role offers meaningful responsibility across all phases of litigation, with hybrid work flexibility and a chance to represent regional and national homebuilders, owners, developers, and builders.

Candidate should have a JD from a top-tier law school, active bar admission, and 6+ years of complex litigation experience in a sophisticated firm.

Qualifications

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record.
• Active Bar Admission in the relevant jurisdiction, in good standing.
• 6+ years of substantive complex litigation experience in a sophisticated law firm setting.
• Construction litigation knowledge beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Represent construction industry clients in complex disputes.
• Manage matters involving defects, scheduling delays, and lien rights.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and discovery materials.
• Conduct depositions of parties, experts, and witnesses.
• Prepare for hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials.
• Develop case strategies to resolve disputes efficiently.
• Perform legal research and produce clear written analyses.
• Collaborate with clients, opposing counsel, and experts on litigation.
• Assist with contractor licensing, building codes, and regulatory issues.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Client communication

Case management

Deposition handling

Independent work

Education

JD from a top-tier law school

Job description

CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION SENIOR ASSOCIATE OR COUNSEL ATTORNEY

Locations: Charleston, SC

HYBRID

Our client, a highly respected regional law firm, is seeking a talented Senior Associate Attorney or Counsel to join its growing Construction Litigation Practice Group in Charleston, South Carolina. This is an outstanding opportunity to handle sophisticated construction disputes while working with a dynamic team that represents regional and national homebuilders, owners, developers, general contractors, and other construction industry participants.

The position offers meaningful responsibility across all phases of litigation, including discovery, depositions, motions practice, hearings, and trial. While a construction law background is beneficial, accomplished litigators from other complex civil litigation practices are encouraged to apply.

Candidate Profile

• JD from a top-tier law school with an excellent academic record
• Active Bar Admission in the relevant jurisdiction, in good standing
• 6+ years of substantive complexlitigation experience in a sophisticated law firm setting
• Construction litigation knowledge beneficial but not required

• Experience handling litigation matters in state and federal courts
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills
• Experience managing discovery, motion practice, and case development
• Ability to independently conduct depositions, including expert witness depositions
• Experience handling court appearances, hearings, mediations, and client conferences
• Trial preparation experience required; jury trial experience preferred
• Excellent communication and client relationship management skills
• Strong organizational abilities with capacity to manage multiple matters simultaneously
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment

Key Responsibilities

• Represent construction industry clients in complex commercial and construction-related disputes
• Manage matters involving defective construction, design defects, scheduling delays, unanticipated conditions, warranty obligations, payment disputes, change orders, and lien rights
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery materials, and other litigation documents
• Conduct and defend depositions of parties, fact witnesses, experts, and other professionals
• Prepare for and attend court hearings, mediations, arbitrations, regulatory proceedings, and trials
• Develop case strategies designed to resolve disputes efficiently and achieve favorable client outcomes
• Conduct legal research and prepare clear, persuasive written analyses
• Work directly with clients, opposing counsel, consultants, and expert witnesses throughout the litigation process
• Assist with matters involving contractor licensing, building codes, and related regulatory issues
• Collaborate with attorneys across practice areas on construction contracts, risk management, and dispute-avoidance strategies

Why Join?

This position offers the opportunity to join a thriving construction practice that represents a diverse client base in private and public construction projects throughout the United States and internationally. The successful attorney will handle sophisticated disputes involving every phase of the construction process while gaining substantial courtroom, deposition, arbitration, and client‑counseling responsibility.

The practice takes a comprehensive approach to construction law, combining litigation, mediation, arbitration, contract counseling, and preventative advice. Attorneys benefit from a collaborative environment, meaningful professional development, direct client interaction, and the opportunity to grow within an active and expanding practice.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Expected base salary range of $225,000+, determined by experience and market factors
• Eligibility for multiplebonusopportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance; paid parental leave; HSA/FSA; 401(k) and profit‑sharing retirement plan; employee referral program; PTO and holidays; an employee assistance program; and corporate discounts

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer.