Senior Counsel (Law & Motion)

About this role

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 assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm) $100-$200/month

Paid parental leave at base pay

Employees receive a monthly technology reimbursement of $60

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate

Comprehensive in-house training and leadership development opportunities

Firm Provided CLE Programs and Paid Bar License Renewal Fees

Flexible vacation policy for attorneys

Defined pathway to partnership

Internal diversity and inclusion programs, such as the Women’s Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative

Firm-wide charitable giving program

Numerous social and off-site events each year to enrich your relationships with your colleagues

Flexible Work Model: Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available

About Tyson & Mendes
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We’re one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the country—known for breaking the mold of the traditional law firm. Our dynamic, diverse team of trial attorneys…