Senior Counsel
Tyson & Mendes
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Tyson & Mendes in Houston seeks Senior Counsel with 8+ years of insurance defense experience to lead complex cases, mentor associates, and contribute to team growth.
The firm offers a collaborative culture, significant trial training, and opportunities for leadership and partnership, with flexible work options and a nationally supported platform.
Qualifications
- Active Texas Bar license in good standing.
- 8+ years of insurance defense litigation experience.
- JD from an ABA-approved law school.
- Strong litigation, deposition, and trial experience.
- Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including discovery and trial.
- Experience with time-management systems.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Responsibilities
- Develop a case theme that is more compelling than any plaintiff ploy for sympathy or anger.
- Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials.
- Work as part of a team with all levels of experience.
- Maintain routine communications with clients.
- Cultivate relationships with the firm’s clients.
- Provide leadership and direction to less experienced attorneys.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Join Tyson & Mendes – Advance Your Career in Insurance Defense
Houston, 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 Houston office is seeking Senior Counsel attorneys with 8+ years of insurance defense experience who are ready to take the next step in their careers.
We're looking for experienced 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 future leadership or partnership opportunities, we offer the resources and support to help you grow.
Our Houston office represents clients throughout Texas in complex state and federal litigation, including trucking and transportation, premises liability, products liability, construction, and complex casualty matters at both primary and excess coverage levels.
Jennifer Akre, Houston and Austin Branch Office Managing Partner, with regional leadership from Scott Ruksakiati, Midwest & Central Regional Managing Partner.
Jennifer brings more than 15 years of experience litigating high-risk civil and criminal matters. Her practice includes defending businesses in the transportation and logistics, oil and gas, and multifamily housing industries. A former partner at a large Texas-based firm, Jennifer combines extensive litigation experience with a strong commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and professional development. She also chairs Tyson & Mendes' Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Our Houston team is focused on building a connected, communicative, and highly collaborative practice. We're seeking experienced attorneys who want to contribute to the team's success, share their knowledge, and play a meaningful role in its continued growth.
- Lead Complex Litigation: Take ownership of sophisticated, high-exposure matters, develop defense strategies, and guide cases from inception through resolution.
- Pathways to Leadership & Partnership: Explore merit-based advancement opportunities, including future leadership roles and potential partnership.
- Collaborative, Connected Teams: Join attorneys who value open communication, teamwork, mentorship, and shared accountability.
- Exceptional Resources & Trial Training: Benefit from national resources, advanced trial training, and innovative defense strategies focused on stopping Nuclear Verdicts®.
- National Strength, Local Connection: Enjoy the resources of a national litigation firm while developing strong professional relationships within a collaborative local team.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid or remote opportunities may be available based on position requirements, team needs, and performance.
- Active Texas Bar license in good standing.
- 8+ years of insurance defense litigation experience required.
- Experience in one or more of the following practice areas:
- Trucking and transportation liability
- Premises liability
- Products liability
- Construction litigation
- General liability and complex casualty litigation
- Catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death defense
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.
- Strong experience conducting depositions, managing 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 an immediate impact while helping shape the future of our Houston practice.
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 handling insurance defense matters preferred
- 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
- 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 through Health Advocate
- 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.
Follow along with the firm on Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit www.tysonmendes.com .
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.
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Pay Range: $150,000 USD - $200,000 USD
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