We are looking for a confident attorney with strong stand-up and case-management skills who is capable of handling a docket of 20-30 general liability cases in both federal and state court. Litigation experience strongly preferred but not required.
Job Description:
Job Title: Associate Litigation Attorney - 3+ years' experience
Job Type: Full Time
Billable Hour Requirement: 1900 hours
Who are we?
P B is a well-established personal-injury boutique litigation firm located in Grapevine, Texas. We primarily defend personal-injury claims and lawsuits on behalf of large, self-insured clients (like Kroger, Target, Lowe's, Best Buy, Bass Pro, Omni Hotels, etc.), handling everything from trucking accidents and wrongful death claims to premises-liability claims. We pride ourselves on our quality of work, strong relationships with clients, and killer results.
What will I do?
As an associate attorney at P B, you will be given significant responsibility for the overall management and handling of cases, along with substantial deposition, mediation, and courtroom experience. We expect associates who are 3+ years out of law school to manage their own caseload.
An associate will perform the following tasks:
Manage cases from beginning to the end, including:
Evaluating venue/jurisdictional issues;
Removing cases to federal court or compelling arbitration, when appropriate;
Drafting pleadings, and drafting and arguing motions;
Conducting a site/store visit, where appropriate;
Identifying, locating, and interviewing witnesses;
Drafting and responding to discovery;
Preparing for, taking, and defending depositions;
Identifying the need for, designating, and working with experts to develop their opinions and/or reports, where needed;
Attending mediations;
Preparing pretrial filings, witness outlines, and demonstrative exhibits and PowerPoints;
Preparing witnesses to testify in depositions and trial; and
Participating as first- or second-chair trial counsel.
Develop a customized litigation strategy for each case, including:
Evaluating each case's unique strengths and weaknesses;
Analyzing the potential for liability;
Analyzing and developing a likely damages model and estimated verdict range; and
Developing and implementing the optimal resolution strategy.
Conduct research and perform other tasks assigned by more senior attorneys.
Identify and pursue tender opportunities, potential counter- and cross-claims, and potentially responsible third parties.
Work closely with clients, supervising attorneys, and paralegals to develop and implement a joint litigation strategy.
Identify and ensure compliance with all deadlines, including those imposed under procedural rules, relevant statutes, docket or scheduling orders, and client litigation guidelines.
Provide timely, high-quality case management reports according to each client's specific reporting requirements.
First-chair small claims cases and smaller trials, and second-chair larger trials with a partner or supervising attorney.
How heavy will my caseload be?
The number of cases you will be given will depend on your demonstrated ability to handle responsibility. Our expectation is for associates to handle approximately 20-30 active cases. If you simply do your job, you will easily satisfy the 1900 billing-hour requirement. Of course, you will occasionally need to stay late or work on a weekend or after-hours to complete specific tasks depending on client and case demands.
What types of cases will I work on?
Our bread-and-butter is premises-liability cases. This includes everything from wrongful death caused by criminal activity to soft-tissue-injury claims resulting from a trip or slip and fall. Most of the matters we handle fall into the following categories:
Routine premises liability (_e.g._, slips and falls, trips and falls)
Criminal-activity premises liability (_e.g._, murders, assaults)
False imprisonment and malicious prosecution
Nonsubscriber liability (workplace injuries suffered by employees of employers who do not carry workers' compensation)
Trucking liability (commercial vehicle accidents)
Products liability (_e.g._, contaminated food, allegedly defective bicycles, etc.)
Pharmacy miss fills
_Respondeat superior_ liability for employee motor vehicle accidents
Oil and gas accidents
Texas Deceptive Trade Practices claims
In addition, we typically handle 3-4 plaintiff cases per year.
Skills & Qualifications:
Law degree and Texas law license (_required_).
3+ years personal-injury litigation, on defense or plaintiff side (required).
Litigation experience in both Texas federal and state courts (required).
Strong oral and written communication skills (_required_).
Ability to identify, manage and meet deadlines (_required_).
Strong organizational and case-management skills (_required_).
Ability to be a team player and manage and work with support staff (_required_).
An eagerness and desire to learn and improve (_required_).
Strong analytical skills (_required_).
Attention to detail (_required_).
What experience or personality traits do I need to succeed at P B?
Smart, motivated, and a quick and eager learner, a self-starter who anticipates needs and doesn't always wait to be asked. An independent worker, problem solver, such that when you encounter an obstacle, you will research and recommend a solution, not just ask what you should do. And you need to be creative, always looking for ways both you and the firm can improve. Finally, you need to have a great attitude. If you're a complainer, gossiper, or grumbler, save us all the time and don't apply; we are only looking for people who invigorate a positive work environment.
What will I receive?
You will receive competitive pay commensurate with your experience level. Of course, we know we don't pay as much as some larger law firms and organizations, but we offer many valuable "intangibles," including "Fun Fridays" (every Friday we close at 3:00 p.m.), approximately 11-13 holiday days off each year (it varies by year), three weeks' paid time off ("PTO"), and a solid benefits package. In particular we offer/provide the following:
Group health insurance, for which we offer a $500/month subsidy.
Vision and dental insurance.
Disability insurance (the firm pays 100% of the premium).
Life insurance (the firm pays 100% of the premium).
Three weeks PTO, with the ability to earn up to one more week (accrues at an additional one day every two years of service).
In addition, we're dog friendly - you can bring your dogs to work! We give random bonuses and raises depending on a variety of factors, including the firm's overall profitability and the employee's productivity, quality of work, attitude, and teamwork (while there are no guarantees since the future is unpredictable, we will note that since 2002, we have never gone a year without giving bonuses and/or raises, or both, to deserving employees!).
Finally, you'll get the satisfaction of working with a top-rate group of attorneys, legal assistants, and other valuable employees, and the pride of being a part of significant victories and even shaping Texas law. But as great as our past has been, we're looking forward to even greater things in the future-and that's where you come in. Our future depends on having the right team on the field, and we're hoping you are exactly the teammate we're looking for!
P B is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants to Peavler Briscoe are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
Work Remotely
No
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Vision insurance
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person

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