Defense Litigation - Asbestos Associate

Founded in 1856, Harris Beach and its subsidiaries provide a full range of legal and professional services for clients across New York state, as well as nationally and internationally. Harris Beach is among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. Principal industries Harris Beach represents include education, energy, financial, food and beverage, health care, insurance, manufacturing, medical and life sciences, real estate developers, and state and local governments and authorities. The firm’s more than 200 lawyers practice among offices throughout New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Uniondale, Washington, D.C. and White Plains, as well as in New Haven, Connecticut and Newark, New Jersey.

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid remote opportunity)

Description: We are seeking an associate to add to our Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation team to support our growing business, with a specific focus on our asbestos litigation practice. Given the global nature of our firm and broad reach of practice, this role will involve working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple offices. This position is responsible for representing asbestos defendants in a variety of industries in state and federal courts throughout the country, coordinating with co-counsel in various jurisdiction.
 

Responsibilities:

• Take and defend depositions on a regular basis
• Research various issues and collaborate with senior attorneys in developing proactive defense strategies
• Navigate claims through resolution by dismissal, settlement, motion practice, or trial
• Draft memoranda, pleadings, motions, etc.
• Represent clients at courtroom appearances

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of deposition and courtroom experience in toxic tort matters required; preference for those with specific asbestos defense experience 
• Must be admitted in New York AND New Jersey
• Familiarity with Zoom, MS Teams, and other video conferencing platforms to participate in depositions, court conferences, and meetings
• Must have ability to travel for in person depositions and court conferences, including overnight, as needed
• Excellent research skills, writing skills and verbal communication required
• Must be able to function effectively in a fast-paced, team oriented environment
• Demonstrated high level organizational skills for prioritizing workload
• Demonstrated ability to absorb, process and understand, new information rapidly
• Must be able to manage competing priorities
• Maintains high standards of performance
• Exhibit conscientiousness, dedication, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility
• Must have a professional, cooperative, positive and flexible attitude
• Military experience welcome

Harris Beach is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills, including military experience. Harris Beach PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary information below will vary depending upon relevant experience for the position and geographic locations.

The firm’s policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, assignment of duties, training, promotion, compensation & benefits and termination. It is the policy of Harris Beach PLLC that all applicants and employees enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting unlawful harassment. Accordingly, harassment or discrimination of any kind based on an individual’s race or color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, creed, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited. Harris Beach complies with the provisions of the Human Rights Law, all other State and Federal statutory and constitutional non-discrimination provisions including non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.