Trial Attorney: Defense Litigation (First Chair)

Orion Placement; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Professional development

Comprehensive benefits and retirement

Job summary

Confidential Employer in the Greater New York City area seeks an experienced civil defense attorney to own cases from inception through trial and appeal. This role offers first-chair trial responsibility and the chance to shape litigation strategy.

You will manage diverse defense matters, including insurance defense, general and professional liability, product liability, and construction litigation, with a collaborative, autonomy‑driven team and robust professional development.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of civil defense litigation experience.
• 5+ years of litigation experience strongly preferred.
• First-chair civil trial experience required.
• Experience with insurance defense, general liability, professional liability, product liability, construction litigation, or similar defense matters.
• Strong deposition, motion practice, legal writing, and courtroom skills.
• Ability to independently manage matters and a substantial caseload.

Responsibilities

• Manage civil defense litigation matters from inception through resolution, trial, and appeal
• Serve as first-chair counsel in jury and bench trials
• Develop and execute case strategy in close coordination with clients and internal teams
• Conduct depositions, witness examinations, investigations, and discovery
• Draft and argue dispositive motions, pleadings, trial briefs, and other substantive filings
• Appear at court conferences, hearings, oral arguments, and trials
• Evaluate exposure, develop defense strategies, and negotiate settlements when appropriate
• Maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication and strategic counsel
• Collaborate with partners, associates, paralegals, and support professionals on complex matters

Skills

Civil defense litigation

First-chair civil trial

Courtroom advocacy

Job description

• Take true ownership of sophisticated civil defense matters from inception through trial and appeal
• Step into a role built for an attorney who genuinely enjoys being in the courtroom
• Serve as first-chair trial counsel and directly shape litigation and trial strategy
• Handle a diverse caseload involving insurance defense, general liability, professional liability, product liability, construction litigation, and other complex defense matters
• Work with experienced attorneys in a collaborative, modern environment that values autonomy and strong legal judgment
• Excellent opportunity for an accomplished litigator who wants meaningful responsibility without needing to bring a portable book of business
• Strong benefits, professional development, and long-term growth opportunities

Location

Greater New York City area. Hybrid flexibility with regular in-person court appearances, hearings, depositions, trials, and other case-related responsibilities throughout the NYC and Downstate New York market.

Note

Candidates must be admitted to the New York Bar and have actual first-chair civil trial experience. This is not a trial-preparation-only role. We are looking for an attorney who has personally taken the lead in the courtroom.

About Us

Confidential Employer. We are a growing civil defense law firm representing sophisticated clients in complex litigation matters. Our team combines strong trial advocacy with a collaborative, practical, and technology-forward approach to client service. We give experienced attorneys the autonomy to lead cases while providing the resources and support needed to succeed.

Job Description

• Manage civil defense litigation matters from inception through resolution, trial, and appeal
• Serve as first-chair counsel in jury and bench trials
• Develop and execute case strategy in close coordination with clients and internal teams
• Conduct depositions, witness examinations, investigations, and discovery
• Draft and argue dispositive motions, pleadings, trial briefs, and other substantive filings
• Appear at court conferences, hearings, oral arguments, and trials
• Evaluate exposure, develop defense strategies, and negotiate settlements when appropriate
• Maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication and strategic counsel
• Collaborate with partners, associates, paralegals, and support professionals on complex matters

Qualifications

• 3+ years of civil defense litigation experience
• 5+ years of litigation experience strongly preferred
• First-chair civil trial experience required
• Experience with insurance defense, general liability, professional liability, product liability, construction litigation, or similar defense matters
• Strong deposition, motion practice, legal writing, and courtroom skills
• Ability to independently manage matters and a substantial caseload

Why You Will Love Working Here

• Real courtroom and trial responsibility
• Autonomy over meaningful, sophisticated cases
• Collaborative team without unnecessary layers
• Diverse litigation that keeps the work interesting
• Flexible work environment
• Strong professional development and advancement opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits and retirement offerings.