Litigation Associate

Distinct | North America; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stable culture

Hands-on responsibility

Competitive salary

Job summary

Distinct | North America, a Houston-based defense firm, is seeking a Civil Litigation Associate to join a busy, trial-focused litigation team in Houston.

You will handle a broad general liability and commercial defense docket, manage files from intake to resolution or trial, and draft pleadings, motions, and discovery. The role involves legal research, strategy development, and active court appearances.

Qualifications

• 1–4 years of civil litigation experience.
• Active Texas bar license or ability to waive in.
• General liability or commercial litigation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Handle a broad general liability and commercial defense docket.
• Manage case files from intake through resolution or trial.
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and legal memoranda.
• Conduct legal research and develop case strategy.
• Argue motions and appear in court for hearings.
• Take and defend depositions.
• Communicate with clients, insurers, and opposing counsel.
• Prepare for and participate in mediations and settlements.
• Assist with trial preparation and trial themselves.
• Work across a varied caseload, not just one narrow area.

Skills

Civil litigation

Legal research

Depositions

Court appearances

Communication

Job description

Civil Litigation Associate, Houston (Mid-Sized Defense Firm)

A mid-sized Houston defense firm is hiring a Civil Litigation Associate to join a busy, trial-focused litigation team.

What you’ll be doing:

• Handling a broad general liability and commercial defense docket
• Managing case files from intake through resolution or trial
• Drafting pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses, and legal memoranda
• Conducting legal research and developing case strategy
• Arguing motions and appearing in court for hearings
• Taking and defending depositions
• Communicating directly with clients, insurers, and opposing counsel
• Preparing for and participating in mediations and settlement negotiations
• Assisting with trial preparation and trial itself
• Working across a varied caseload rather than one narrow practice area

What the firm offers:

• Stable, collegial culture with low turnover
• Hands-on responsibility well ahead of the typical big firm timeline
• Experienced partners who are genuinely invested in developing associates
• Competitive salary with room to grow
• Active bar license in Texas (or able to waive in)
• 1-4 years of civil litigation experience
• General liability or commercial litigation experience preferred