Litigation Associate-Flexibility, Mentorship & Advancement

Cmlawfirm; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer matching

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP in Indianapolis is seeking Associate Attorneys with 1-4 years of strong civil defense litigation experience. You’ll participate from day one in depositions, motion practice, trial preparation, and client strategy.

We invest in your development through mentorship, substantive legal training, and a culture of growth, with flexible work arrangements and supportive work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with J.D., and admission to the Indiana State Bar required.
• Minimum 1-4 years of experience in insurance defense or related setting.
• Preference to those managing their own cases.
• Litigation experience required.
• Strong writing skills.
• Excellent work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex legal and factual issues, conduct extensive legal research, independently develop and present defense strategies for clients.
• Prepare complex pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, and briefs in support of defense strategies.
• Provide effective and timely communications, information, legal advice, and other services to clients and claims on legal and factual issues.
• Communicate with the court, witnesses, opposing counsel, and co-counsel per established office procedures.
• Responsible for the prompt, efficient, and effective disposition of assigned cases.
• Assist in preparing and presenting witnesses and evidence at trials, hearings, arbitrations, and alternative dispute resolutions.

Skills

Strong writing skills

Litigation experience

Insurance defense experience

Education

J.D. with Indiana State Bar admission

Job description

Our Indianapolis office is growing, and we’re looking for motivated Associate Attorneys with 1-4 years of strong civil defense litigation experience.

We take a deliberate, ongoing approach to investing in our people across all aspects of professional development.

Our commitment to your development includes:

Culture of Growth:A collaborative, inclusive environment where learning is part of daily practice.Substantive Legal Training:Structured mentorship from experienced litigators, with regular and constructive feedback to support your development.Technology & Data Literacy:Hands-on training in the evolving legal tech landscape, data analysis tools, and the platforms that are reshaping how litigation is practiced.Career Development Planning:Clear expectations, defined milestones, and transparent discussions regarding your professional trajectory within the firm.Hands-On Litigation Work:From day one, you’ll take an active role in depositions, case analysis, motion practice, trial preparation, and client strategy across a variety of matters.Work-Life Balance:A flexible work model and a culture that respects personal time, supporting long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

Who we are and what we do:

The Indianapolis office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP is a small office practicing on the southside of Carmel. Practice areas include: Automotive & Trucking Litigation, Construction Law, Contingent Fee Litigation/Subrogation Recovery, Employment Law, Food Contamination, Governmental/Civil Rights Law, Insurance Coverage Disputes/Bad Faith Claims, Litigation, and Premises/Product/Professional Liability. The location is close to Keystone and 465 and offers convenient free parking and many food and shopping options within a 5-minute radius.

You would have the opportunity to work with and learn from attorney’s with anywhere between 15 and 50 years experience in a casual setting. At Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP we put family first and ensure we provide a work-life balance while also ensuring associates are given the experience needed to defend a wide-variety of cases. We wish to grow our team of attorneys to meet client requests to resolve increasing numbers of matters. Specifically, we want associates that have experience with pre-complaint investigations, case analysis, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing, and arguing law and motion, taking, and defending depositions, trial preparation, and generally have the skills to develop and implement efficient strategies to resolve claims against our clients. The team members will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the firm’s practice, including participating in trials, mediations, counseling, and advice work on a wide variety of areas.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Analyze complex legal and factual issues, conduct extensive, well-reasoned legal research, independently develop and present defense strategies on behalf of clients.
• Prepare complex pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motions, and briefs in support of defense strategies.
• Provide effective and timely communications, information, legal advice, and other services to clients and claims on legal and factual issues.
• Communicate with the court, witnesses, opposing counsel, and co-counsel in a manner consistent with established office procedures.
• Responsible for the prompt, efficient, and effective disposition of assigned cases.
• Assist in preparing and presenting witnesses and evidence at trials, judicial and administrative hearings, arbitrations, and alternative dispute resolutions.

We are looking for a candidate with

• Bachelor's degree with J.D., and admission to the Indiana State Bar required
• Minimum 1-4 years of experience in insurance defense or related setting
• Preference to those managing their own cases
• Litigation experience required
• Strong writing skills
• Excellent work ethic

Associate Attorney Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience
• 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance