Senior Trial & Defense Associate Attorney

Aligned Talent Acquisition; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Aligned Talent Acquisition is assisting a leading international law firm in Chicago to hire a Senior Trial & Defense Associate Attorney. The role is hybrid in Chicago and focuses on high-exposure liability defense, insurance coverage, catastrophic injury, and complex commercial litigation.

Ideal candidates have 6+ years of civil defense litigation, strong trial or trial-prep experience, ABA-approved JD, and active Illinois bar admission.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of litigation experience, civil defense preferred.
• Experience handling catastrophic injury and complex commercial matters.
• Experience managing a litigation caseload from start to finish.
• Trial experience or significant trial preparation preferred.
• Strong communication, research, writing, and negotiation skills.
• Active Illinois bar admission and ABA-accredited JD required.

Responsibilities

• Handle high-exposure liability defense, insurance coverage, and related matters.
• Independently manage litigation cases from inception through resolution.
• Conduct discovery, depositions, and prepare/substantive motions.
• Participate in mediations, trials, and complex disputes; client liaison.

Skills

Litigation experience

Trial advocacy

Oral advocacy

Legal research

Legal writing

Negotiation

Multi-matter management

Education

J.D. ABA-accredited

Job description

Chicago | Hybrid

Senior Trial & Defense Associate Attorney

International Law Firm Opportunity

Compensation

$165,000 – $185,000

A leading international law firm is seeking a Senior Trial & Defense Associate Attorney to join its Chicago office.

This opportunity is ideal for an attorney interested in handling high-exposure liability defense, insurance coverage, catastrophic injury, and complex commercial litigation matters.

Ideal Background

• 6+ years of litigation experience, with a strong background in civil defense litigation
• Experience handling catastrophic injury, bodily injury, wrongful death, premises liability, trucking and transportation, commercial litigation, insurance coverage, bad faith, fraud, UM/UIM, and/or class action matters
• Experience independently managing a litigation caseload from inception through resolution
• Experience conducting claim investigations, developing litigation strategy, and advising clients on case evaluation and risk
• Experience drafting and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, preparing and arguing substantive motions, and handling mediations
• Trial experience or significant trial preparation experience preferred
• Strong oral advocacy, legal research, writing, analytical, and negotiation skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple complex matters while maintaining exceptional client communication
• Excellent academic credentials
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school required
• Active Illinois bar admission required

Why This Opportunity

International litigation and insurance defense platform

Exposure to sophisticated, high-exposure litigation matters

Significant client interaction and case responsibility

Opportunity to handle mediations, trials, and complex commercial disputes

Strong mentorship and professional development

Collaborative, team-oriented environment

Interested?

Aligned Talent Acquisition is currently working with firms seeking talented attorneys with this type of background.