Partner Attorney

State Bar of Texas; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 203,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

401(k) plan with firm matching

Disability Insurance

Significant case ownership

Direct access to firm leadership

Job summary

State Bar of Texas is seeking an experienced medical malpractice defense attorney at the Partner level in North Dallas. You will independently lead complex healthcare liability matters, shape defense strategy and work directly with clients and carriers.

The ideal candidate has seven-plus years in healthcare defense, strong Chapter 74 expertise and a track record of leadership and strategic thinking within a boutique setting.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active Texas law license in good standing.
• At least seven years of litigation experience with substantial medical malpractice and healthcare liability defense experience.
• Meaningful experience defending physicians, hospitals, healthcare organizations or other healthcare professionals.
• Strong working knowledge of Texas Chapter 74 healthcare liability litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex matters, develop strategy and provide practical recommendations directly to clients and carriers.
• Significant deposition, expert, motion practice, hearing, mediation and trial-preparation experience.
• Strong legal analysis, persuasive writing, judgment and organizational skills.
• Professional accountability, collaborative leadership and the ability to progress matters without continual supervision.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage medical malpractice and healthcare liability matters from initial evaluation through resolution or trial.
• Develop and drive case strategy based on liability, causation, damages, medical evidence, expert issues and client objectives.
• Lead Chapter 74 strategy, including expert-report evaluation, objections, dismissal opportunities and related motion practice.
• Identify, retain and work effectively with medical experts and take and defend depositions of parties, healthcare providers, fact witnesses and experts.
• Draft and argue motions and handle hearings, mediations and other proceedings.
• Prepare healthcare professionals for depositions and trial testimony.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and carriers, providing practical case evaluations, exposure assessments and strategic recommendations.
• Lead trial preparation and assume an appropriate first- or second-chair role based on the needs of the matter.
• Effectively lead and delegate to Associates, Paralegals and other team members while maintaining responsibility for strategy, quality, deadlines and case progression.

Skills

Litigation

Medical malpractice defense

Case strategy

Deposition experience

Leadership

Client communication

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Active Texas law license

Healthcare defense experience

Job description

Employer Profile

We are a growing North Dallas litigation firm with a significant focus on professional liability defense, particularly healthcare and medical malpractice, as well as insurance defense, products liability and non-subscriber employee injury defense.

We represent physicians, hospitals, nurses, healthcare entities, insurers and other professionals in complex, high-stakes disputes. Our lean team structure gives experienced attorneys meaningful ownership of their matters, direct access to clients and firm leadership and the ability to influence both case strategy and the continued growth of the practice.

We value sound judgment, accountability, initiative, collaboration and practical problem-solving. Attorneys are expected to take ownership, communicate directly and move cases forward rather than simply manage individual tasks within a larger litigation team.

Opportunity Description

We are seeking an experienced medical malpractice defense attorney who is ready to operate at the Partner level and take meaningful ownership of complex healthcare liability matters.

This position is built for an accomplished litigator who can serve as a lead case strategist, independently manage matters through the litigation lifecycle and exercise experienced judgment regarding discovery, experts, depositions, motion practice, resolution strategy and trial preparation.

This is not a role centered around supporting someone else's docket. You will be expected to understand the medical and legal issues, develop and continually refine the defense strategy, advise clients and carriers and drive your cases toward the best available outcome.

A portable book of business is not required for this Partner opportunity. We are hiring first for medical-malpractice experience, litigation capability, judgment and leadership. Attorneys who want to develop or expand client relationships will have the opportunity and support to do so, but an existing book is not a prerequisite.

For the right attorney, this is an opportunity to bring substantial experience into a growing boutique environment where your judgment will matter, your contributions will be visible and you can play an important role in shaping the continued development of the practice.

Additionally, this opportunity offers:

• Partner-level case ownership and significant autonomy over litigation strategy
• Direct relationships with insurers, physicians and other healthcare clients
• Meaningful deposition, hearing, mediation and trial opportunities
• The ability to help shape case strategy, internal practices and attorney development
• Direct access to firm leadership and involvement in a growing practice
• The opportunity to develop client relationships and business development

Role Description

We are seeking a Texas-licensed attorney with at least seven years of litigation experience and substantial medical malpractice, healthcare liability and insurance-defense experience.

The ideal candidate already functions as a highly autonomous litigator. You should be comfortable assuming responsibility for a healthcare liability matter, developing the defense strategy, communicating directly with the client and carrier and independently progressing the case through discovery, expert development, depositions, motion practice, mediation and trial preparation.

Substantial familiarity with Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 74 is critical. This includes practical experience evaluating healthcare liability claims, working with medical experts, analyzing Chapter 74 expert reports and developing appropriate procedural and substantive defense strategies.

This role requires more than technical litigation skills. We are looking for an attorney with the judgment to identify what matters, make thoughtful strategic recommendations, communicate clearly with clients and lead the team assigned to the case.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage medical malpractice and healthcare liability matters from initial evaluation through resolution or trial
• Develop and drive case strategy based on liability, causation, damages, medical evidence, expert issues and client objectives
• Lead Chapter 74 strategy, including expert-report evaluation, objections, dismissal opportunities and related motion practice
• Identify, retain and work effectively with medical experts and take and defend depositions of parties, healthcare providers, fact witnesses and experts
• Draft and argue motions and handle hearings, mediations and other proceedings
• Prepare healthcare professionals for depositions and trial testimony
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and carriers, providing practical case evaluations, exposure assessments and strategic recommendations
• Lead trial preparation and assume an appropriate first- or second-chair role based on the needs of the matter
• Effectively lead and delegate to Associates, Paralegals and other team members while maintaining responsibility for strategy, quality, deadlines and case progression

Key Requirements

Must-Haves

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active Texas law license in good standing
• At least seven years of litigation experience with substantial medical malpractice and healthcare liability defense experience
• Meaningful experience defending physicians, hospitals, healthcare organizations or other healthcare professionals
• Strong working knowledge of Texas Chapter 74 healthcare liability litigation
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex matters, develop strategy and provide practical recommendations directly to clients and carriers
• Significant deposition, expert, motion practice, hearing, mediation and trial-preparation experience
• Strong legal analysis, persuasive writing, judgment and organizational skills
• Professional accountability, collaborative leadership and the ability to progress matters without continual supervision

Sets You Apart

• Eight or more years of concentrated medical malpractice defense experience
• Significant first- or second-chair trial experience involving complex or high-exposure healthcare liability matters
• Deep Chapter 74 experience, including expert-report challenges and dispositive strategy
• Experience supervising, mentoring or leading attorneys and litigation teams
• Medical, clinical or other healthcare-industry background
• Admission in New Mexico and/or Oklahoma, existing client relationships or an interest in developing business

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base compensation, negotiable up to $225,000 depending on experience, medical-malpractice depth, litigation capability and anticipated level at entry
• Partner opportunity without a required portable book of business
• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) plan with firm matching
• Personal office with essential technology
• Direct access to firm leadership and meaningful involvement in the continued growth of the practice
• Significant case ownership and professional autonomy
• Opportunities to develop client relationships and participate in business development
• Collaborative team environment with an emphasis on high-quality work, accountability and sustainable long-term practice

A Note to Experienced Attorneys

We recognize that exceptional candidates do not always fit neatly within every qualification listed in a job posting. If you have substantial medical malpractice or healthcare defense experience and believe your background could add value to the firm, we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly with every item above.

Our objective is to meet outstanding healthcare-defense attorneys and identify individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and strength of our practice.

If you are an experienced medical malpractice defense attorney who wants greater ownership, greater influence and the opportunity to help lead a growing healthcare liability practice, we would welcome the opportunity to learn more about you.