Associate Attorney (Insurance Defense)

Our client, an AV-rated insurance defense litigation firm with locations in Arizona and New Mexico, is looking to add a new Associate Attorney to their team. 

Responsibilities

Carry a full docket of insurance defense matters from intake through resolution. You will work directly with carrier clients, manage litigation guidelines and reporting requirements, and contribute to a team of attorneys who hold each other to high standards on billing, deadlines, and client service. This may include:

• Managing a docket of insurance defense matters — GL, auto, professional liability, premises, construction defect, and similar
• Conducting legal research; draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence
• Taking and defending depositions, including expert and critical witness depositions
• Attending hearings, mediations, and trials (second chair minimum; first chair as appropriate)
• Communicating proactively with carrier clients on case strategy, status, and budgets
• Complying with carrier litigation guidelines and billing protocols
• Managing experts: secure client approval, monitor budgets, ensure timely invoicing
• Mentoring junior associates and work collaboratively with paralegals and legal assistants

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active bar license in Arizona and/or New Mexico
• 2–9 years of civil litigation experience, primarily insurance defense
• Trial or arbitration experience (second chair minimum)
• Experience with carrier clients and carrier litigation guidelines
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills
• Track record of clean, compliant billing practices
• Proficiency with legal research and case management platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience at or with an insurance carrier, in-house claims department, or carrier-panel defense work
• Existing relationships within the AZ/NM carrier community
• Experience with carrier billing platforms and AI-assisted timekeeping or drafting tools

Compensation

1,800-hour annual billing expectation, there is a range of base salary based on year of experience between $110,000-$145,000, but there is an opportunity to earn more for attorneys that wish to work more, as their compensation philosophy ties to each attorney's billings and associates can earn bonuses based on collections over their 1,800 target.

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