Senior Counsel

Tyson & Mendes; San Bernardino (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Paid parental leave

Tech stipend

Training programs

Diversity programs

Remote/hybrid/onsite options

Job summary

Tyson & Mendes seeks experienced litigators to help build its Inland Empire presence as it plans a Redlands office. Senior Counsel-level attorneys will handle cases independently, lead teams, and shape future office culture.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of litigation, strong trial skills, and a collaborative mindset. The firm offers mentorship and leadership pathways in a growing regional practice.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA approved school and bar license in the relevant state.
• 8+ years of solid litigation experience with deposition and trial prep.
• Ability to handle cases independently and lead teams.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience with insurance defense is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials.
• Develop case strategy, manage discovery and motion practice.
• Communicate with clients and prepare matters for trial.
• Provide leadership and direction to less experienced attorneys.
• Collaborate with a team across levels of experience.
• Cultivate relationships with current and future clients.

Skills

Litigation experience

Communication skills

Time management

Education

JD from ABA approved school

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Don’t Just Join an Office. Help Build One.

Please note: An active California Bar license is required.

Tyson & Mendes is growing in the Inland Empire, and we’re looking for experienced litigators who want more than simply a new place to practice.

This is an opportunity to get in early.

As we build our Inland Empire presence and establish our future office in Redlands, we’re looking first for experienced Senior Counsel-level attorneys who can handle cases independently, become trusted leaders, and ultimately help us build the teams around them.

The office is led by Pat Ferraris, an experienced litigator, former professor, and highly regarded mentor who is passionate about developing the next generation of attorneys and leaders. As the office grows, so will the opportunities for the attorneys who help build it.

If you’re looking for meaningful case responsibility, genuine mentorship, and the opportunity to have a voice in what a growing office becomes, we’d like to meet you.

Why This Opportunity Is Different

Get in on the ground floor. We’re building toward a team of approximately 10 attorneys in the Inland Empire, beginning with experienced attorneys who can become the foundation of future teams. You won’t be stepping into a structure that was built years ago: you’ll have an opportunity to help shape what comes next.

Learn from a leader who actually mentors. Pat is known for being approachable, responsive, and invested in his attorneys. His approach is individualized to the lawyer: providing guidance and feedback when you need it while giving experienced attorneys the autonomy to manage their work without unnecessary micromanagement.

Build toward leadership. We’re not simply filling caseloads. We’re building the next generation of leaders for this office. For attorneys with the experience, ability, and interest, the growth of the Inland Empire team can create meaningful opportunities for team leadership, partnership, and future office leadership.

Handle substantive litigation. The team handles matters throughout the Inland Empire and beyond, including automobile liability, premises liability, product liability, and other civil litigation. Attorneys with backgrounds in medical malpractice, professional liability, construction defect, and related defense practices are also encouraged to apply.

Work with a team that values people. We’re looking for attorneys who are not only strong litigators, but also good teammates: congenial, communicative, empathetic, flexible, and willing to support attorneys and staff alike. Trust and camaraderie are central to the kind of office we’re building.

Who We’re Looking For

You’re an experienced litigator who can take ownership of your cases and confidently move them forward. You know how to develop strategy, manage discovery and motion practice, communicate with clients, prepare matters for trial, and ask for input when it will make the case stronger.

Ideally, you bring 5+ years of litigation experience, preferably in insurance defense or another substantive civil litigation practice. First- or second-chair trial experience is particularly valuable, although we’re interested in strong litigators from adjacent practices who are ready to continue developing their trial skills.

Just as importantly, you’re someone others want on their team. You communicate. You collaborate. You’re receptive to feedback, willing to help others, and interested in being part of something that is still being built.

A Growing Home in the Inland Empire

Our Inland Empire team is currently working from collaborative office space while we build the team and determine the needs of our permanent Redlands-area office. Our cases are predominantly based throughout the Inland Empire, although attorneys may handle matters outside the immediate region as well.

For the right attorney, that growth is part of the opportunity.

You’ll have the resources and stability of a national litigation firm behind you, while joining a local team early enough to make your mark on its culture, growth, and future leadership.

Come Build It With Us

There are plenty of opportunities to join established offices.

This is an opportunity to help build one.

If you’re an experienced California litigator who wants autonomy without isolation, mentorship without micromanagement, and a genuine opportunity to grow into leadership as the office expands, we’d love to start a conversation.

Join Tyson & Mendes and help us build what’s next in the Inland Empire.

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

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• The base salary for this position ranges from $160,000 - 190,000 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

BENEFITS

• 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

ABOUT TYSON & MENDES

Click here to learn more about the Tyson & Mendes Office! (944) The Tyson & Mendes Office - YouTube

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 .

Equal Opportunity Employer Notice

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 .

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Pay Range: $160,000 USD - $190,000 USD