Senior Counsel

Tyson & Mendes LLP; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

401(k) with match

Paid parental leave

Technology reimbursement

Training & leadership development

Job summary

Tyson & Mendes LLP in Dallas seeks Senior Counsel with 8+ years of insurance defense experience to independently manage complex cases, develop defense strategies, and contribute to a collaborative team.

The role offers leadership opportunities, mentorship, and potential partnership along with a hybrid or remote work option and substantial resources for trial work.

Qualifications

• Active Texas Bar license in good standing.
• 8+ years of insurance defense litigation experience required.
• Experience in general liability, premises liability, transportation, products liability, construction, or complex casualty litigation.
• Ability to independently manage complex litigation from inception through resolution.
• Strong deposition, discovery, drafting and arguing substantive motions, and litigation strategy experience.
• Trial experience preferred, with active courtroom participation.
• Excellent legal writing, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Collaborative leadership mindset with mentoring interest.

Responsibilities

• Develop a case theme that is more compelling than plaintiff strategies.
• Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials.
• Lead and mentor less experienced attorneys as part of the team.
• Maintain routine communications with clients.
• Cultivate relationships with current and future clients.
• Provide leadership and direction to the team.

Skills

Insurance defense

Litigation

Trial advocacy

Depositions

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Join Tyson & Mendes – Advance Your Career in Insurance Defense

Dallas, Texas | Senior Counsel | 8+ Years of Insurance Defense Experience

An active Texas Bar license is required.

Great litigators are developed through meaningful experience, challenging cases, and the opportunity to lead. At Tyson & Mendes, we’re building teams of accomplished attorneys who want to do exceptional work, collaborate with talented colleagues, and become the next generation of leaders.

Our Dallas office is seeking Senior Counsel attorneys with 8+ years of insurance defense experience who are ready to take their careers to the next level.

We’re looking for experienced, confident litigators who can independently manage complex cases, develop effective defense strategies, and contribute to a highly collaborative team. Whether your goal is to strengthen your trial practice, mentor developing attorneys, or pursue a future leadership or partnership opportunity, we offer the resources and support to help you grow.

About Our Dallas Team

Our Dallas office represents clients throughout Texas in complex state and federal litigation, including trucking and transportation, premises liability, products liability, catastrophic injury, and complex casualty matters.

The office is led by Thera Cooper, Dallas Branch Office Managing Partner, with regional leadership from Scott Ruksakiati, Midwest & Central Regional Managing Partner.

Thera brings extensive experience in complex litigation, trial advocacy, and appeals, including commercial disputes, catastrophic personal injury, construction litigation, and products liability. Her background includes successful dispositive motions, favorable trial outcomes, and appellate victories.

Our Dallas team values strong professional relationships, open communication, and shared accountability. We are seeking experienced attorneys who can contribute immediately, support their colleagues, and help strengthen the team's continued growth.

Why Tyson & Mendes?

Lead Complex Litigation: Take ownership of sophisticated, high-exposure cases, develop defense strategies, and guide matters from inception through resolution.

Pathways to Leadership & Partnership: Explore merit-based opportunities for advancement, including leadership development, mentorship, and potential partnership.

Collaborative, Connected Teams: Work alongside accomplished litigators who value communication, teamwork, and shared success.

Exceptional Resources & Trial Training: Access national resources, advanced trial training, and innovative strategies focused on stopping Nuclear Verdicts®.

National Strength, Local Connection: Enjoy the resources and stability of a national litigation firm while maintaining the close professional relationships of a collaborative local team.

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid or remote opportunities may be available based on position requirements, team needs, and performance.

Who We're Looking For

Active Texas Bar license in good standing.

8+ years of insurance defense litigation experience required.

Significant experience in general liability, premises liability, transportation, products liability, construction, or complex casualty litigation.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.

Strong experience conducting depositions, handling discovery, drafting and arguing substantive motions, and developing litigation strategies.

Experience evaluating exposure, advising clients, negotiating settlements, and managing insurance carrier relationships.

Trial experience preferred, with the confidence and ability to take an active role in courtroom proceedings.

Excellent legal writing, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

A collaborative leadership mindset, with an interest in mentoring attorneys and contributing to team development.

A commitment to exceptional client service, professional accountability, and continued growth.

At Tyson & Mendes, we recognize that experienced attorneys bring more than legal knowledge. They bring judgment, perspective, mentorship, and the ability to elevate the people around them.

We’re looking for Senior Counsel attorneys who want to make a meaningful impact today while building toward future leadership opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop a case theme that is more compelling than any plaintiff ploy for sympathy or anger
• Refuse to accept mediocrity, the average, the standard or the norm in anything
• Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials
• Work as part of a team with all levels of experiences
• Routine communications with clients
• Cultivate relationships with the firm’s existing and future clients
• Provide leadership and direction with respect to less experienced attorneys

Requirements

• JD from an ABA approved school
• Must be licensed in your state
• 8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically with litigation support, deposition and trial preparation
• Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including all facets of discovery and trial
• Experience with time management systems
• Proficiency in MS Suite, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Ability to think and act independently and with minimal supervision
• Outstanding listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Professional appearance and demeanor

CompensationPackage

• The base salary for this position ranges from $150,000 - 200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
• Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable hours bonus ranging from $10,000 and then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier
• Comprehensive benefits coverage offered, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700-$1,700)
• Employees benefit from a 401(k) program that includes a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4-5%
• Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm)$100-$200/month
• Paid parental leave at base pay
• Employees receive a monthly technology reimbursement of $60
• Employee Assistance Program throughHealthAdvocate
• Comprehensive in-house training and leadership development opportunities
• Firm Provided CLE Programs and Paid Bar License Renewal Fees
• Flexible vacation policy for attorneys
• Defined pathway to partnership
• Internal diversity and inclusion programs, such as the Women’s Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative
• Firm-wide charitable giving program
• Numerous social and off-site events each year to enrich your relationships with your colleagues
• Flexible Work Model: Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available

We’re one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the country—known for breaking the mold of the traditional law firm. Our dynamic, diverse team of trial attorneys delivers exceptional results, from landmark cases like Howell v. Hamilton Meats to numerous defense verdicts across the nation.

But we don’t stop at great legal work—we invest in our people. With specialized training in our proven defense methods, clear paths to leadership, and robust professional development, we empower attorneys to grow their careers, build their personal brands, and become leaders in the field.

OK, now for the legal copy (we are a law firm, after all). It is Tyson & Mendes’ policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. By the way, if you read all of this, congratulations – we can already tell your attention to detail is exceptional.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS/EMPLOYEES OF TYSON & MENDES: Please take notice that the Firm collects certain information about you. For more information on the Firm’s policies, please refer to the document provided here.

Pay Range

$150,000 - $200,000 USD