Senior Counsel (Law & Motion)

Senior Counsel - Law & Motion & Appellate Advocacy Shape the Law. Defend. Win. California Bar License Required At Tyson & Mendes, we re leading the charge in insurance defense with bold trial strategies and a national reputation for stopping Nuclear Verdicts . Our Law & Motion and Appellate Team plays a critical role in crafting the legal arguments that define trial outcomes and shape appellate case law. We re looking for a seasoned legal writer and strategist to join our team and help drive the future of defense litigation. Why Tyson & Mendes? • Strategic Litigation at the Highest Level - Work on high-stakes motions and appeals that influence precedent, shape trial outcomes, and drive national conversations in insurance defense. • Elevate Your Expertise - Access mentoring, leadership opportunities, and ongoing legal training to sharpen your skills and grow your career. • Long-Term Stability, National Impact - Be part of a rapidly expanding, financially strong law firm with the resources to support complex litigation. • Inclusive, Purpose-Driven Culture - Join a firm that values diverse perspectives, equity in leadership, and a collaborative team-first mindset. What You ll Do • Draft and argue dispositive motions, including motions for summary judgment, demurrers, and motions to dismiss • Handle appellate matters from start to finish-including research, briefing, and oral argument-in state and federal courts • Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis to develop creative, cutting-edge defense strategies • Collaborate with trial teams to ensure legal positioning is strong at every stage of litigation • Monitor emerging case law and legal trends to influence the development of insurance defense precedent Who You Are You are a persuasive legal writer, deep thinker, and litigation strategist with at least eight years of experience in law & motion and appellate practice. You bring a mastery of procedural and substantive law, especially within insurance defense and complex civil litigation. You thrive on high-stakes work, have a proven track record of winning dispositive motions and appeals, and are passionate about influencing legal outcomes through precision and clarity. You re ready to help shape the law-one motion at a time. Make Your Move. Be part of something bigger-join Tyson & Mendes and help shape the future of insurance defense. Apply today. We re ready for your best. Responsibilities • Law & Motion Practice: Prepare, draft, and argue a variety of motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgments, and other pre-trial and post-trial motions • Appellate Briefs and Oral Arguments: Manage appellate cases from inception to resolution, including designating the record, drafting appellate briefs, preparing petitions, and presenting oral arguments when necessary • Legal Research and Writing: Conduct thorough legal research on relevant case law, statutes, and procedural rules to support motion practice and appellate work • Case Analysis and Strategy: Collaborate with the litigation team to develop case strategies, identify key legal arguments, and prepare oppositions to motions filed by opposing counsel • Collaboration with Clients and Colleagues: Work closely with colleagues to provide status updates, discuss case developments, and make recommendations based on legal findings • Maintain Deadlines and Case Management: Ensure all court and case deadlines are met by effectively managing case files, schedules, and electronic records Requirements • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school • Active license to practice law in California, with eligibility to practice in federal courts preferred • 3-5+ years of experience in insurance defense, law and motion, or appellate practice • Proven success in drafting and arguing motions, particularly dispositive motions • Demonstrated experience managing appellate cases, including brief writing and oral arguments • Strong legal research skills and proficiency with platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis • Exceptional writing skills, with a keen attention to detail and accuracy • Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment and communicate effectively with team members • Familiarity with e-discovery tools and procedures • Previous experience working in insurance defense or a related field Compensation Package • The base salary for this position ranges from $150,000 - 200,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications • Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable hours bonus ranging from $10,000 and then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier • Comprehensive benefits coverage offered, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700-$1,700) • Employees benefit from a 401(k) program that includes a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4-5% • Student loan repayment assis...