Insurance Defense Attorney - Personal Injury Litigation

Macdonald & Cody, LLP; Riverside (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

401(k) with employer match

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Long-Term Care/Life Insurance

Bar dues paid by firm

Continuing legal education (in-house/C

Cell phone and internet allowance

Hybrid work arrangements

Casual dress code

Job summary

Macdonald & Cody, LLP is a premier California insurance defense litigation firm, handling personal injury defense across a broad spectrum of cases, including automobile, trucking, premises liability, and high-exposure claims. Our trial experience is a cornerstone of the practice with partners and associates frequently appearing in jury trials.

We seek experienced litigators with at least four years in civil litigation to join multiple Southern California offices, offering hybrid schedules and

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years' Insurance Defense experience.
• Active California State Bar membership in good standing.
• Strong analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
• Excellent oral advocacy, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage an active caseload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and with a litigation team.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage an active litigation caseload.
• Develop case strategy; analyze liability, damages, and exposure.
• Prepare case evaluations and reports for insurance carriers.
• Propound and respond to written discovery; draft and argue motions.
• Take and defend depositions, including expert depositions.
• Attend court appearances, mediations, and site inspections; assist with trial prep.

Skills

Insurance Defense

Bar admission (CA)

Analytical skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Caseload management

Team collaboration

Job description

Macdonald & Cody, LLP is an established California insurance defense litigation firm specializing in personal injury defense, with cases ranging from automobile and trucking accidents to premises liability, shootings, stabbings, assault and battery, dog bites, and other serious personal injury claims. Our cases range from routine liability matters to complex, high-exposure and catastrophic injury litigation.

Trial experience is a cornerstone of our practice. The firm's attorneys collectively have served as first-chair counsel in more than 220 jury trials. Founding partners Scott Macdonald and Michael Cody bring over 60 years of combined litigation experience and are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), at the Advocate and Member ranks, respectively. Several additional firm attorneys also have substantial first-chair jury trial experience.

We are seeking experienced litigators with a minimum of four years of civil litigation experience to join our Irvine, Riverside, Woodland Hills, Monrovia, and San Diego offices. Prior insurance defense experience is preferred. We offer flexible work arrangements, including hybrid schedules and the ability to work from more than one of our Southern California offices. Candidates must be comfortable independently managing an active caseload and traveling throughout Southern California for court appearances, depositions, and other case-related matters, with occasional travel to Central and Northern California.

This position offers experienced litigators significant case responsibility, direct client and carrier interaction, and meaningful opportunities for deposition, courtroom, and trial experience.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include independently managing an active litigation caseload; developing case strategy; analyzing liability, damages, and exposure; preparing case evaluations and reports for insurance carriers; propounding and responding to written discovery; drafting and arguing motions; taking and defending depositions, including expert depositions; working directly with clients, carriers, and retained experts; attending court appearances, mediations, and site inspections; and handling all phases of trial preparation.

Trial Development:

Trial experience is an important part of attorney development at the firm. Our trial teams include a second-chair attorney who works alongside experienced trial counsel, providing meaningful hands‑on experience in jury selection, witness and expert preparation, motions in limine, evidentiary issues, and other aspects of trial. As attorneys develop their litigation and trial skills, they have the opportunity to progress toward first-chair responsibility.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years' Insurance Defense experience.
• Active membership in the California State Bar and in good standing.
• Strong analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
• Excellent oral advocacy, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage an active caseload, prioritize deadlines, and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a litigation team.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary Range: 4-7 years' experience: $140,000-$170,000.
• Base Salary Range: 8+ years' experience: $170,000-$230,000.
• Actual base salary will depend on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
• Competitive base salary with multiple bonus opportunities, including incentives for business development and origination.
• Employer-paid medical and dental insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Flexible spending accounts (Health and Dependent Care).
• Employer-paid Long-Term Care/Life Insurance Policy.
• Employer-paid California State Bar annual dues.
• Employer-paid continuing legal education, including in-house MCLE programs throughout the year.
• Cell phone and internet allowances.
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements.
• Relaxed, collegial firm culture with a casual dress code.

Macdonald & Cody, LLP is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.