Litigation Associates - Construction Law & Litigation

Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

Job summary

Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC in Denver seeks litigation associates to help build case strategy from intake to resolution, with direct client contact, depositions, motions, and trial exposure. The firm emphasizes growth opportunities and a career path from Associate to equity partner.

Admission to Colorado bar required. Salary ranges from $100,000 to $175,000 per year, with upside production bonus and discretionary year-end bonus, plus a comprehensive benefits package and flexible work

Qualifications

• Some litigation experience required.
• Construction litigation experience helpful but not required.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills; sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Help develop case strategy from intake through resolution.
• Take and defend depositions; draft and argue motions.
• Work with experts; participate in mediations and trials.

Skills

Litigation basics

Analytical writing

Judgment

Client service

Education

Colorado bar admission

Job description

Become a Better Litigator. Build a Career.

Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC (“HHMR”), a 2026 Denver Business Journal "Best Place to Work," is a boutique litigation firm representing builders, developers, contractors, and design professionals throughout Colorado in complex construction and casualty matters. We are looking for litigation associates at all levels who want meaningful responsibility and a place to build a career.

At HHMR, associates do not spend years waiting for opportunities to practice law. Our associates help develop case strategy from intake through resolution, have direct contact with clients and claims professionals, take and defend depositions, draft and argue motions, work directly with experts, participate in mediations, and try cases. As an attorney develops, the responsibility grows. Our goal is to develop skilled litigators.

A Firm Where People Want to Work

HHMR was recognized by the Denver Business Journal as one of its 2026 Best Places to Work, an honor based on confidential feedback from our employees. That recognition is particularly meaningful to us. We have spent 25 years building our reputation as a litigation firm, but we believe the quality of a law firm is also measured by the experience of the people who work there. Our culture is built around six Core Values: Team Players; Excellent Skills; Pride & Passion; Strong Work Ethic; and Confidence.

These are not aspirational slogans. They describe how we expect our attorneys and staff to work with clients, with one another, and as a team.

Work Hard. Have a Life.

HHMR’s annual billable-hour expectation is 1,800 hours. Attorneys who want to produce more can do so and participate directly in the additional revenue they generate. HHMR pays an upside production bonus of $100 for each billable hour above 1,800 that is billed to the client. This bonus structure provides a meaningful upside for attorneys who choose to produce more, but there is no obligation or expectation to bill more than 1,800 hours.

Learn From Experienced Lawyers And Then Become One

Our partners include recognized and decorated leaders in Colorado construction litigation. HHMR provides a robust onboarding program, regular feedback and mentoring, monthly Lunch & Learns, and collaboration among attorneys. We believe much of a lawyer’s development happens through everyday interaction with other lawyers. For that reason, HHMR is an office-centered firm with work-from-home flexibility as needed. We prefer our attorneys to work in the office, where mentoring, collaboration, camaraderie, and much of our culture occur. At the same time, we recognize that professionals sometimes need or prefer to work elsewhere, and our attorneys have flexibility to do so when appropriate.

This is a Career, Not Just Your Next Job

HHMR has a formal Attorney Career Advancement Program and a defined path from Associate to Special Counsel, Non-Equity Partner, and Equity Partner. We hire associates with the expectation that successful attorneys can develop through those ranks and ultimately have the opportunity to become owners of the firm. Advancement is earned through increasing legal skill, judgment, client service, leadership, commitment to the firm, and, at the Equity Partner level, business development. The goal is to make expectations transparent and give attorneys a meaningful opportunity to build a long-term career at HHMR.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidates will have some litigation experience. Construction litigation experience is helpful, but it is not required. We are more interested in strong litigation fundamentals, excellent analytical and writing skills, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to develop expertise in a sophisticated and technical area of law.

Admission to practice in Colorado is required.

Compensation

Salary range: $100,000–$175,000, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to base compensation:

• Attorneys receive an upside production bonus of $100 for each billable hour above 1,800 that is billed to the client; and
• Attorneys are eligible for a discretionary year-end bonus.

Benefits

HHMR offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health insurance, including telehealth options;
• Dental insurance;
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance;
• Optional vision, life, accident, and critical illness coverage;
• 401(k) with a 4% firm match after six months;
• Covered underground parking;
• Colorado Defense Lawyers Association membership;
• Colorado Supreme Court annual attorney registration fees;
• Unlimited personal and vacation days; and
• Flexible home/office work when appropriate.

About HHMR

For 25 years, HHMR has represented the companies and professionals who build Colorado. We have deliberately remained a focused litigation boutique, allowing us to combine sophisticated legal work with close client relationships, meaningful opportunities for developing lawyers, and a team-oriented culture. We are proud of the professional recognition our attorneys and firm has received. We are equally proud that the people who work here have recognized HHMR as a great place to work.

Compensation:

$100,000 - $175,000 yearly depending on experience