Litigation Associate

Simpson Judge USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Flexible work options

Mentorship programs

Trial academies

Second-chair opportunities

Job summary

Simpson Judge USA is a New York defense firm seeking attorneys with 3–5 years of defense litigation experience to deepen expertise and assume greater responsibility. You will manage discovery, draft motions and help prepare for trials in a collaborative, mentorship-driven environment.

The firm emphasizes a flexible, non-traditional approach to hours, offering mentorship, trial academies, and opportunities to become a trial leader while pursuing equity partnership and a balanced professional life.

Qualifications

• New York-admitted attorney with 3–5 years of defense litigation experience.
• Experience in insurance defense, New York Labor Law, premises liability, product liability, professional liability or general liability.
• At least one year of New York Labor Law experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of matters across discovery, motion practice and trial preparation.
• Attend court, participate in trials and develop advocacy skills.
• Mentorship and trial academies participation and second-chair opportunities.
• Equity partnership is presented as an accessible route for attorneys seeking advancement.

Skills

Defense litigation

Courtroom experience

Motions drafting

Trial preparation

Ownership mentality

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

New York Bar admission

Job description

You’ve built your litigation experience. Now it’s about what you do with it.

If you’re 3–5 years into practice, you may already be managing your own caseload, drafting substantive motions and handling the demands of defense litigation.

But are you getting the courtroom exposure, mentorship and career development you need to become the litigator you want to be? I’m working with a New York defense firm offering a different approach to the traditional law firm model, and it could be a particularly good fit for an attorney ready to take the next step.

What could your next move look like?

• More than managing a caseload. Take ownership of matters across discovery, motion practice and trial preparation, with opportunities to attend court, participate in trials and develop your advocacy skills.
• Development that goes beyond billable work. The firm invests in trial academies, mentorship and second-chair opportunities, including when clients won't pay for that development time.
• A different approach to billable hours. There is no billable-hour minimum. The emphasis is on the quality, efficiency and value of your work rather than a set target.
• A clearer opportunity to progress. Equity partnership is presented as an accessible route for attorneys who want to pursue it, rather than an opportunity reserved for a select few.
• Flexibility without losing professional ambition. Unlimited PTO, flexible work options and a culture built around trust, collaboration and life outside the office.

With approximately 85 attorneys, the firm combines an established litigation platform with a collaborative environment where professional development is taken seriously.

Who should be looking at this?

A New York-admitted attorney with 3–5 years of defense litigation experience who wants to deepen their expertise and take on greater responsibility.

Your experience might include insurance defense, New York Labor Law, premises liability, product liability, professional liability or general liability. At least one year of New York Labor Law experience is preferred.

You'll also receive competitive compensation based on experience, comprehensive benefits and a 401(k) with a generous vested employer match.