Litigation Attorney (Associate) - Probate Litigation Focus

LexaUpdate; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Crain Caton & James in Houston is seeking a Litigation Associate with 2-3 years of probate litigation experience. The firm prizes entrepreneurial-minded associates who take on meaningful responsibility and demonstrate strong research and courtroom skills.

Ideal candidates will have a Texas bar license, solid writing ability, and a proactive attitude toward learning probate law within a collaborative, growth-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of litigation experience with strong research and writing abilities.
• Active bar license; Texas license preferred.
• Courtroom skills and initiative suited for an entrepreneurial firm culture.

Responsibilities

• Advise on probate litigation matters including will contests and fiduciary disputes.
• Perform in-depth legal research and prepare persuasive memoranda and briefs.
• Represent clients in hearings and assist with strategic case management.

Skills

Litigation experience

Texas bar license

Research skills

Writing skills

Courtroom skills

Willingness to learn probate law

Job description

Primary

Location/Place/Mode

Houston, TX (Downtown)

2-3 years of litigation experience; active bar license (Texas preferred); strong research, writing, and courtroom skills; willingness to learn probate law (prior probate experience not required); sound judgment, attention to detail, and initiative suited for entrepreneurial firm culture

Why Crain Caton & James Stands Out in Houston's Competitive Legal Market

Houston's legal landscape is dominated by global behemoths and high-pressure boutique firms, but Crain Caton & James occupies a rare sweet spot: a collegial, entrepreneurial mid-sized firm where associates are trusted with genuine responsibility early in their careers. The firm's latest search for a Litigation Associate with 2-3 years of experience—specifically targeting probate litigation—signals a deliberate investment in a niche practice area that blends complex fiduciary disputes with courtroom advocacy. For attorneys tired of document‑review grind at BigLaw or limited docket control at smaller shops, this role represents a strategic inflection point.

"We are looking for someone with strong research and writing skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and courtroom experience. Just as important is the kind of initiative that fits an entrepreneurial firm where associates are trusted early and their contributions are visible."

The Probate Litigation Niche: A Strategic Career Move

Probate litigation is frequently misunderstood as a sleepy backwater. In reality, it is a high‑stakes arena involving will contests, trust disputes, fiduciary breach claims, guardianship battles, and complex asset tracing—often intersecting with business litigation, real estate, and tax controversy. Houston's concentration of family