Senior Counsel (General Liability/Coverage)

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Parental leave

Tech reimbursement

Health benefits

Professional development & CLE

Diversity initiatives

Job summary

Tyson & Mendes LLP is seeking a Senior Counsel in California to lead general liability defense and insurance coverage matters. The role emphasizes courtroom presence, strategic defense, and ethical leadership, with autonomy to guide high-exposure cases and teams.

The candidate should have 8+ years in litigation, a CA bar license, and a track record mentoring junior attorneys while managing complex litigation from discovery through trial.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active California bar license.

Responsibilities

• Develop case themes and strategies for high-exposure general liability and coverage matters.
• Lead litigation teams, mentor junior attorneys, and manage discovery and trials.
• Maintain client communications and cultivate relationships with clients and prospective clients.

Skills

Litigation leadership

General liability

Insurance defense

Insurance coverage

Courtroom presence

Strategic thinking

Mentoring juniors

Time management

Communication skills

Independence

Education

JD from ABA-accredited law school

Tools

MS Suite

Job description

Senior Counsel (General Liability/Coverage)

Join Tyson & Mendes – Where Insurance Defense Meets Innovation

Please note: An active bar license in the State of California is required.

At Tyson & Mendes, we’re not just a national litigation firm—we’re a force for change in insurance defense and trial advocacy. Known for our cutting-edge approach and bold mission to stop Nuclear Verdicts®, we set the standard for results-driven representation across the country.

As we continue our nationwide growth, we’re seeking an accomplished General Liability Insurance Defense Litigation and Insurance Coverage Attorney in California who brings courtroom confidence, leadership, and a passion for strategic defense. If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on clients, cases, and the legal industry, this is your moment.

Why Tyson & Mendes?

Lead with Purpose – Step into a senior role where your voice matters and your decisions shape outcomes. We empower our senior counsel with autonomy, trust, and the tools to lead high-exposure general liability cases and insurance coverage matters.
Growth Built In – With our nationally recognized Trial Academy, ongoing executive-level development, and a firm culture that promotes from within, your next step forward is already in motion.
Stability + Agility – Join a firm with national reach, financial strength, and a collaborative, no-silos mindset. We move with purpose—and you won’t get lost in the shuffle.
Inclusive by Design – Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is more than a policy—it’s a practice that drives innovation, strengthens teams, and delivers better results.
Flexible, Performance-Focused Work – Office, hybrid, or remote—we value outcomes over face time. Your work style should support your best work.

Who You Are

You are a seasoned litigator with a defense mindset, respected by clients and colleagues for your strategic thinking, courtroom presence, and ethical leadership. You thrive on complex general liability insurance defense and insurance coverage matters, thinking several moves ahead, and turning legal challenges into opportunities. You have a proven track record managing litigation teams, mentoring junior attorneys, and navigating high-stakes litigation with confidence. Above all, you are committed to excellence, collaboration, and delivering exceptional value to clients.

Make Your Move.

Be part of something bigger—join Tyson & Mendes and help shape the future of insurance defense. We’re ready for your best.

Responsibilities

• Develop compelling case themes, focusing on strategies that counter plaintiff arguments of sympathy or anger
• Maintain a high standard in all facets of your practice—no mediocrity or average outcomes
• Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs, and trials
• Work collaboratively with attorneys at all experience levels
• Maintain routine communications with clients
• Cultivate relationships with both existing and future clients
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior attorneys

Requirements

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active bar license in the State of California
• 8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically in general liability insurance defense and insurance coverage matters
• Proven ability to manage full case responsibilities, including discovery and trial
• Strong experience handling insurance defense cases, particularly general liability and coverage issues
• Proficiency in time management systems
• Strong proficiency in MS Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to think independently and with minimal supervision
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Professional appearance and demeanor

CompensationPackage

• 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
• 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.

As set forth in Tyson & Mendes LLP’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

A “disabled veteran” is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.