Litigation Associate, Auto and Trucking Defense

Distinct | North America; Tampa (FL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Distinct Recruitment in Tampa, FL, is seeking a Litigation Associate focused on auto and trucking defense. The role covers both everyday auto negligence and more complex commercial vehicle claims, with a hybrid work model that fits a busy practice.

You will defend drivers and carriers, work with reconstruction and medical experts, and drive depositions and hearings. A 2+ year background in auto, trucking, or insurance defense is required; trucking experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of litigation experience in auto, trucking or insurance defense.
• Trucking experience is a plus but not essential if your auto defense background is strong.
• A level head when the stakes are high.

Responsibilities

• Defend drivers, motor carriers and insurers in auto and trucking injury claims.
• Work with accident reconstructionists, human factors experts and medical experts.
• Handle discovery disputes around driver files, ELD data and maintenance records.
• Prepare and argue dispositive motions and evaluate cases candidly for clients.

Skills

Litigation

Job description

Litigation Associate, Auto and Trucking Defense | Tampa, FL | $125,000 to $200,000 | Auto (Trucking and Transportation)

Physics is rarely on the defense side in a trucking case. An 80,000 pound vehicle meets a sedan, and the jury's sympathy is settled before the first witness is sworn. What changes the outcome is everything else: the reconstruction, the timeline, the medical causation, and a defense lawyer who knows which facts matter and how to present them without sounding cold.

I'm Ryan Jaiswal at Distinct Recruitment, and I'm hiring for a Tampa insurance defense firm that handles auto and trucking defense. The role covers both everyday auto negligence and the more complex commercial vehicle claims.

Five reasons this role is worth a look

• Variety that builds skill: a mix of auto and trucking files means plenty of courtroom time on standard cases alongside complex, high exposure claims
• Real ownership: you'd run your files, take the key depositions and handle the hearings
• Trial work: cases that should be tried get tried, and attorneys with the experience take the first chair
• Room to grow: experienced lawyers lead teams, train associates and build the carrier relationships that lead to partnership
• Fair pay: $125,000 to $200,000, a range set wide on purpose so senior attorneys and counsel are paid for their experience

What you'd do

• Defend drivers, motor carriers and insurers in auto and trucking injury claims
• Work with accident reconstructionists, human factors experts and medical experts
• Handle discovery disputes around driver files, ELD data and maintenance records
• Prepare and argue dispositive motions and evaluate cases candidly for clients

Background

• 2+ years of litigation experience in auto, trucking or insurance defense
• Trucking experience is a plus but not essential if your auto defense background is strong
• A level head when the stakes are high

The structure

• Hybrid, with the team based in Tampa
• 1,950 billable hours a year