in
This job posting has been expired on our system. Click here to search for other jobs.
Tenth Mountain

Junior Associate Attorney — Complex Commercial Litigation & Mass Torts

Tenth Mountain See More Job Openings by This EmployerArrow
  • Full Time
  • $270,000 - $429,000
  • Houston, TX

Job Description

Job Title:
Junior Associate — Complex Commercial Litigation & Mass Torts (2–6 Years' Experience) | Texas (Trial-Focused)

Practice Focus: Complex Business Disputes & Mass Tort Litigation

Compensation & Bonus Details:

  • Base salary: $235,000–$330,000 (range reflects experience and prior responsibilities).
  • Performance-based bonus: annual, discretionary bonus tied to individual performance, contribution to matters, and firm profitability. Typical target bonus range: approximately 15%–30% of base salary; actual bonus percentages and awards vary by year.
  • On-target earnings (OTE) example: Base + a target bonus in the 15%–30% range would approximate $270,000–$429,000, depending on where a candidate is hired within the base range and the bonus outcome.
  • Eligibility & timing: bonus eligibility and payout timing follow the firm's annual bonus cycle; details (including any prorating for mid-year start dates) will be provided during the offer process.
  • Additional compensation considerations: the firm may offer sign-on or relocation assistance in select cases and provides comprehensive benefits as described below. Exact offer components depend on experience, office location, and final negotiations.

Schedule: Full-time, direct hire
Billable Target: Minimum 1,850 hours annually

The Opportunity:
Our client is a nationally recognized, litigation-focused law firm with a longstanding reputation for handling complex, high-stakes disputes across a wide range of industries. The firm is consistently ranked in Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories by leading legal publications for its strength in commercial litigation and white-collar defense.

The firm maintains a robust, collaborative, in-office culture that emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and trial readiness. Attorneys are trained not only as exceptional legal analysts but also as strategic advocates with real courtroom exposure. Partners are deeply involved in associate development, providing hands-on guidance and meaningful responsibility early in one’s career.

The Texas-based litigation team is a lean, high-performing group comprised of partners and associates who handle sophisticated matters nationwide. The practice encompasses a broad spectrum of complex disputes, including:

  • Antitrust litigation
  • Commercial and contract disputes
  • Complex financial products litigation
  • Creditors' rights and bankruptcy litigation
  • Employment litigation
  • Environmental litigation
  • Government and regulatory matters
  • Insurance recovery and coverage disputes
  • Intellectual property litigation
  • International arbitration
  • Mass tort and product liability defense
  • Real estate litigation and transactional matters
  • Securities litigation

Responsibilities

The Junior Associate will serve as an integral member of trial teams defending clients in complex commercial disputes and significant tort matters. This role requires immediate, high-quality contributions across all stages of litigation, with a strong emphasis on intensive pre-trial work and a clear path toward trial experience.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Developing sophisticated, evidence-driven case theories and litigation strategies from the outset of each engagement
  • Drafting and refining pleadings, discovery motions, dispositive motions (including summary judgment), and pre-trial submissions
  • Conducting in-depth legal research to support complex arguments involving statutory and common law claims
  • Managing all aspects of discovery, including drafting discovery requests, overseeing e-discovery processes, and preparing for and defending depositions
  • Assisting in the preparation of fact and expert witnesses for deposition and trial testimony

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate the academic excellence, judgment, and work ethic required to succeed in a demanding litigation environment:

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school with strong academic credentials
  • Active and good standing membership with the Texas Bar (required)
  • 2–6 years of substantive experience in complex commercial litigation and/or civil tort defense
  • Experience gained at a large law firm or elite litigation-focused practice strongly preferred
  • Solid command of Texas state and federal procedural rules and substantive law
  • Proven ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously with precision and attention to detail

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

  • Experience with breach of contract disputes, shareholder litigation, energy-related matters, or insurance coverage defense
  • Background in appellate practice or significant trial-level motion drafting
  • Strong independent judgment and the ability to quickly master new legal and factual issues
  • Excellent oral advocacy and client-facing communication skills
  • A genuine interest in working within a collaborative, in-office environment that values mentorship and teamwork

Additional Information:
This posting is a job advertisement on behalf of our client and does not reflect the full scope of the position. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application materials will include:

  • Law school transcripts
  • A writing sample (or deal sheet, if applicable)
  • Cover letter

This posting does not constitute an offer of employment. Final compensation and bonus structure will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and office location; specific terms (base, bonus target, benefits, and any additional incentives) will be confirmed in the offer letter and discussed during the interview process.

Salary
  • $270,000 - $429,000

This job posting has been expired on our system. Click here to search for other jobs.

Have Questions?

Looking for a job or looking to hire? We're here to help! Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Justia Legal Jobs.