Lateral Attorney, Toxic Tort Litigation

Kutak Rock; Illinois; On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Discretionary bonuses

401(k) Retirement benefits

Nine paid holidays

Flexible paid vacation

Job summary

Kutak Rock LLP seeks an experienced Litigation Attorney to join its growing team serving clients across Illinois and the greater St. Louis area. This is a fully remote position with opportunities to grow the regional asbestos practice and collaborate closely with partners.

The ideal candidate has deep asbestos defense experience, strong deposition skills, and a track record of managing cases independently while mentoring junior staff. A portable book of business is not required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active bar license in good standing in Missouri and Illinois.
• 8+ years of litigation experience with asbestos/toxic tort focus.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of asbestos and toxic tort defense matters from inception to resolution.
• Draft pleadings and dispositive motions; conduct written discovery.
• Attend court hearings and take/defend depositions regularly.
• Develop case strategy with partners and supervise junior staff.
• Maintain client relationships and provide timely reports.

Skills

Asbestos defense

Deposition experience

Litigation management

Client relations

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar admission: MO & IL

Job description

Kutak Rock LLP seeks an experienced Litigation Attorney to join its growing litigation team serving clients across Illinois and the greater St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area. This is a fully remote position offering a unique opportunity to play a meaningful role in the continued expansion of the firm's regional litigation practice. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience on the asbestos docket and a genuine enthusiasm for building a practice within a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. A portable book of business is not required. The firm is committed to providing the resources, client opportunities, and institutional support needed for the right attorney to thrive.

Kutak Rock, a U.S. News and World Report rated "Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms" provides experienced attorneys a national platform to grow their practice while making valuable contributions in a collegial and collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a caseload of asbestos and toxic tort defense matters from inception through trial and resolution
• Handle all aspects of litigation, including drafting pleadings and dispositive motions, and conducting written discovery
• Attend court hearings on a regular basis, including case management conferences, motion hearings, and status hearings - routine in-court appearances are an expected and integral part of this role
• Take and defend depositions independently on a regular basis, including depositions of plaintiffs, expert witnesses, and medical professionals - deposition practice is a central and daily component of this role
• Litigate cases on the asbestos dockets in Madison County, Illinois; St. Clair County, Illinois: St. Louis County, Missouri; and the City of St. Louis, Missouri
• Develop and execute case strategy in coordination with partners and clients
• Supervise and mentor junior attorneys and support staff as the practice continues to grow
• Maintain strong client relationships and provide timely, high-quality reporting and communication
• Stay current on developments in asbestos litigation, relevant case law, and local court rules and procedures

QUALIFICATIONS: Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills, with meaningful motion practice experience
• Significant, hands‑on deposition experience required, including independent experience taking and defending depositions of fact witnesses and experts in asbestos and toxic tort cases
• Proven ability to independently manage a full caseload and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced litigation environment
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and client‑service orientation

QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Must be currently admitted to practice with an active bar license in good standing within the state of Missouri and Illinois
• Minimum of 8 years of litigation experience, with a strong emphasis on asbestos defense and/or toxic tort litigation
• Demonstrated experience litigating and managing cases on the asbestos dockets in Madison and St. Clair County, Illinois; St. Louis County, Missouri and the City of St. Louis, Missouri

Position Information

Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $200,000-$300,000 Base salary, plus discretionary bonus, commensurate with education and experience. Actual salary offered will be based on a wide range of factors, including experience, location, originations, and portable book of business.

Work Arrangement: Remote, within commutable distance of St. Louis, Missouri, St. Clair County, Illinois, and Madison County, Illinois

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 hour 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. Commuting 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.