Senior Litigation Associate

Douglass & Runger; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglass & Runger, PLLC, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is seeking an experienced litigation attorney who will take ownership of cases from intake to trial, focusing on contested probate and trust litigation. The firm values direct communication with clients, helping them navigate through complex legal situations with confidence.

The candidate should manage litigation matters, draft essential documents, and communicate clearly and professionally with clients. As the firm expands, this position allows for significant growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Must have real litigation experience and ability to handle a file from start to finish.
• Comfortable handling will contests, contested conservatorships, and trust litigation.
• Ability to evaluate, budget for a case, and develop strategies.

Responsibilities

• Handle contested probate, trust, fiduciary and conservatorship litigation matters.
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, and settlement proposals.
• Prepare clients and witnesses for depositions and trials.

Skills

Litigation experience

Ability to handle high-conflict matters

Drafting pleadings

Client communication

Trial preparation

Job description

We are looking for a litigation attorney who will embrace taking full ownership of cases from intake through trial and, if necessary, appeal.

Douglass & Runger, PLLC is an Inc. 5000 law firm based in Memphis, Tennessee focusing on estate planning, estate administration and probate law. As we continue our rapid growth, we need a trial attorney to handle contested matters and expand the litigation side of our probate, trust, fiduciary and business practice.

This is not an entry-level position. We need someone with real litigation experience who can handle a file from start to finish, not someone who waits for the next instruction every step of the way. While you do not need extensive experience handling will contests, contested conservatorships or trust litigation, you must know how to litigate, feel comfortable handling high-conflict matters, and have the ability to evaluate and budget for a case, develop a strategy, draft persuasive pleadings, manage discovery, take depositions, prepare witnesses, work with experts, appear in court and move a case toward resolution, whether through settlement or trial.

The primary focus of this role will be contested probate, trust, fiduciary and conservatorship litigation. Representative matters include will contests, trust disputes, contested conservatorships, fiduciary disputes, estate-related litigation and contested matters involving families, money, aging parents, vulnerable adults, business interests and broken trust.

You will also assist with probate estate administration, business disputes, contract matters and other civil litigation projects. Because we are intentionally building more litigation capacity, the right person will have room to grow with the Firm.

We are direct and transparent with our clients. We tell them what they need to know, help them understand their options and empower them to secure better futures. This approach requires courage, judgment and communication. Litigation clients are often scared, angry, overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted. They need a lawyer who can be direct without being reckless, confident without being arrogant and strategic without losing sight of the human being sitting across the table.

We need a rockstar. Not a diva. Not a cowboy. Not someone who creates chaos and calls it “aggressive litigation.” We need a serious litigation attorney who prepares, follows through, takes ownership, adapts quickly and can be trusted with clients, courts, opposing counsel and our team.

Responsibilities

• Handle contested probate, trust, fiduciary and conservatorship litigation matters.
• Draft pleadings, motions, discovery, correspondence and settlement proposals.
• Appear in court for hearings, contested matters and trials.
• Take and defend depositions, including expert depositions.
• Prepare clients and witnesses for depositions, mediation and trial.
• Manage litigation deadlines, discovery obligations and case strategy.
• Communicate with clients clearly, directly and professionally.
• Assist with probate administration, business disputes, contract matters and other civil matters as needed.