Litigation Associate – Freehold, New Jersey

Dilworth Paxson LLP; Freehold (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Dilworth Paxson LLP in Freehold, New Jersey seeks a full-time experienced Litigation Associate with 5–8 years of litigation experience to handle matters from inception through resolution.

You will represent municipalities, counties, and other public entity clients in state and federal courts, managing all phases of litigation and collaborating with partners and clients to achieve favorable outcomes.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in New Jersey; admission in Pennsylvania is a plus.
• 5–8 years of litigation experience.
• Experience handling employment litigation, civil rights claims, and personal injury matters.
• Strong discovery, deposition, and motion practice experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to independently manage a litigation caseload while working collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Trial experience or meaningful trial preparation experience strongly preferred.
• Experience defending public entities, law enforcement agencies, or governmental organizations.

Responsibilities

• Represent municipalities, counties, and other public entity clients in state and federal courts.
• Manage all phases of litigation, including case assessment, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and trial preparation.
• Draft and argue substantive and procedural motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, and discovery-related applications.
• Conduct and defend depositions of parties, fact witnesses, and experts.
• Prepare written discovery requests and responses and oversee document production.
• Attend court appearances, hearings, conferences, and settlement negotiations.
• Collaborate with partners and clients to achieve favorable outcomes while maintaining high standards of client service.
• Stay current on developments in employment law, civil rights litigation, tort claims, and public entity liability.

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Dilworth Paxson is seeking a full-time experienced Litigation Associate with 5–8 years of litigation experience to join our practice in Freehold, New Jersey. The successful candidate will represent public entity clients in a wide range of litigation matters, including employment law, civil rights, and personal injury defense. This role offers significant responsibility, direct client contact, and the opportunity to handle matters from inception through resolution.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent municipalities, counties, and other public entity clients in state and federal courts.
• Manage all phases of litigation, including case assessment, pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and trial preparation.
• Draft and argue substantive and procedural motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, and discovery-related applications.
• Conduct and defend depositions of parties, fact witnesses, and experts.
• Prepare written discovery requests and responses and oversee document production.
• Attend court appearances, hearings, conferences, and settlement negotiations.
• Collaborate with partners and clients to achieve favorable outcomes while maintaining high standards of client service.
• Stay current on developments in employment law, civil rights litigation, tort claims, and public entity liability.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in New Jersey; admission in Pennsylvania is a plus.
• 5–8 years of litigation experience
• Experience handling employment litigation, civil rights claims, and personal injury matters.
• Strong discovery, deposition, and motion practice experience.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to independently manage a litigation caseload while working collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Trial experience or meaningful trial preparation experience strongly preferred.
• Experience defending public entities, law enforcement agencies, or governmental organizations.

Dilworth Paxson LLP is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and welcome applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

The anticipated annual salary range is between $120,000 – $170,000 based on experience.