Insurance Defense Attorney – Balanced Hours Track

Bartlett, McDonough & Monaghan, LLP; Melville (NY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

PTO and paid holidays

CLE & bar dues coverage

Job summary

Bartlett LLP is seeking an experienced Insurance Defense Attorney for a Balanced Hours Track in Melville, NY. The role emphasizes sophisticated defense work with a defined 1,750-hour annual target, offering full benefits and a hybrid schedule between the Melville office and remote work.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years of civil litigation, a JD, and NY admission. Expect a competitive base salary, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional support within a flexible, long‑term career track.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of civil litigation experience in New York-focused matters.
• Strong focus on New York Labor Law and/or complex general liability.
• Licensed to practice NYS bar in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Develop case strategy and early case assessment.
• Draft pleadings and substantive motions, including complex risk-transfer issues.
• Oversee discovery, depositions, and document reviews.
• Represent insureds at court conferences and mediations across Long Island and NYC.

Skills

Civil litigation

New York Labor Law

Oral advocacy

Deposition skills

General liability

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Insurance Defense Attorney – Balanced Hours Track

Bartlett LLP is expanding its attorney recruiting model to offer experienced lawyers greater flexibility in choosing the workload and compensation structure that best fits their professional and personal priorities.

This is a full-time attorney position with a 1,750-hour annual billable requirement, full employee benefits, and a caseload intentionally managed around that expectation.

Bartlett offers multiple full-time attorney tracks. Our traditional attorney positions carry a 2,000-hour annual billable expectation with correspondingly higher compensation and incentive opportunities. This Balanced Hours Track is designed for experienced attorneys who want to continue handling sophisticated litigation and meaningful client responsibilities while committing to fewer required annual billable hours.

The distinction is straightforward: same quality of work, same professional standards, fewer required annual hours, and compensation structured accordingly.

What Makes This Role Different

• 1,750-Hour Annual Requirement: A clearly defined billable expectation that is meaningfully below our traditional 2,000-hour attorney track.
• Full-Time Status: This is not a part-time or temporary position. Attorneys on this track are full-time members of the firm and eligible for our standard employee benefits.
• Managed Caseload: Files are assigned and managed with the 1,750-hour annual expectation in mind.
• Sophisticated Defense Work: Handle New York Labor Law (200, 240(1), and 241(6)) and complex, multi-party general liability litigation without trading quality or complexity for reduced hours.
• Hybrid Flexibility: A structured combination of work from our Melville office and remotely.
• Long-Term Career Option: The Balanced Hours Track is intended as a sustainable professional model, not a temporary accommodation.

The Practice Difference

• Sustainable Billable Target: Enjoy an achievable 1,750 annual billable hour requirement.
• Limited Caseload: Focus on a limited, curated roster of active New York Labor Law (200, 240(1), and 241(6)) and complex, multi-party general liability cases.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Work with a structured hybrid schedule, dividing your week between our Melville office and your home office.
• True Autonomy: Handle files from inception through resolution with support of a paralegal/legal assistant and administrative staff, while receiving strategic guidance at critical junctures from firm leadership

Key Responsibilities

• Case Strategy & Evaluation: Conduct early case assessment and investigation, analyze liability and damages, and develop case-specific litigation strategies.
• Pleadings & Motion Practice: Draft pleadings such as answers and impleaders, and substantive motions including summary judgment involving complex risk-transfer and contractual indemnification issues.
• Discovery Management: Oversee written discovery, conduct document reviews including contracts and medical records, and handle depositions.
• Court Appearances: Represent insured premises owners, general contractors, and subcontractors at court conferences and mediations across Long Island and the NYC boroughs.
• Client Collaboration: Maintain transparent, proactive communication with insurance claims professionals and corporate clients.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 7+ years of civil litigation experience, with a strong focus on New York Labor Law and/or complex general liability.
• Licensure: Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active admission in good standing to the New York State Bar.
• Litigation Skillset: Exceptional legal research, writing, oral advocacy, and deposition skills.
• Local Presence: Ability to commute to our Melville, NY office on scheduled in-office days and attend court appearances.

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience (Target range: $125,000 – $160,000)
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and bar association dues coverage