Litigation Partner

Job Title: Senior Litigation Attorney

Location: Paramus, New Jersey

Job Type: Full-Time

Department: Litigation Practice Group

JOB SUMMARY

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, a mid-size, full-service firm in New Jersey, seeks a Senior Litigation Attorney to join our Litigation Practice Group. This position is ideal for an accomplished attorney with 10 or more years of substantive litigation experience who is prepared to manage complex civil litigation matters from inception through trial and appeal. The successful candidate will handle a diverse caseload spanning commercial litigation, public entity defense, environmental litigation, labor and employment disputes, civil rights/constitutional law, redevelopment and land use, public entity defense, and more. This attorney will work closely with partners and associates, manage junior attorneys, and play a key role in developing case strategy and maintaining client relationships. Substantive in-court experience is required.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Litigation Management

• Independently manage a diverse caseload of complex civil litigation matters in both New Jersey state and federal courts.
• Handle all phases of litigation from case inception through discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal.
• Serve as first-chair or second-chair trial attorney in civil jury and bench trials, arbitrations, administrative proceedings and appeals.
• Handle complex commercial litigation involving breach of contract, commercial lease disputes, and related business matters.
• Oversee public entity defense matters, including, but not limited to the Tort Claims Act, Law Against Discrimination, Conscientious Employee Protection Act, Civil Rights Act, redevelopment and land use, eminent domain, real property taxation, property liability as well as prosecution of affirmative claims on behalf of government entities.
• Conduct and defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses.
• Draft and argue dispositive motions, motions in limine, and other substantive motions in state and federal courts.
• Prepare and file appellate briefs in state appellate courts and federal courts of appeal.
• Identify key legal issues, formulate strategy and conduct or oversee comprehensive legal research to support case strategies and motion practice.
• Draft, review, and manage all forms of discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements and participate in mediations and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Client Representation & Relationship Management

• Represent both private and public sector clients in court appearances, depositions, hearings, arbitrations, and mediations.
• Maintain regular client communication and provide strategic legal counsel on litigation risks, case developments, and settlement considerations.
• Attend and participate in client meetings, including day and evening municipal and public entity meetings as required.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor on litigation and legal compliance matters.
• Coordinate with co-counsel and opposing counsel on case management, scheduling, and discovery matters.

Mentorship & Team Leadership

• Mentor and supervise junior associates, providing guidance on legal research, brief writing, motion practice, and trial preparation.
• Review and provide substantive feedback on work product prepared by junior attorneys and paralegals.
• Collaborate with partners and practice group members on case strategy, resource allocation, and workload management.
• Contribute to the development of firm best practices and litigation procedures.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Bar Admission

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission in good standing to practice law in the State of New Jersey.
• Admission in good standing to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Experience Requirements

• 10 years of substantive civil litigation experience in a government or law firm setting.
• Demonstrated in-court experience.
• Substantial experience practicing in New Jersey state and federal courts.
• Proven track record of managing complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.
• Experience conducting and defending depositions.
• Experience drafting and arguing substantive motions, including summary judgment motions, in both state and federal courts.
• Experience with appellate practice, including drafting appellate briefs and arguing appeals.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Admission to the New York and/or Pennsylvania State Bar.
• AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell or similar peer-review distinction.
• Portable book of business (a plus but not required).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Annual salary of $150,000 to $180,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications).
• Performance and origination-based bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) support and professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid/remote work flexibility in accordance with Firm policy.

ABOUT DECOTIIS, FITZPATRICK & COLE, LLP

Founded in 1986, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, has become a leader in the New Jersey government, legal, and business communities. Our firm is a 50-plus-attorney, full-service firm headquartered in Paramus, New Jersey. We specialize in delivering innovative solutions with an unparalleled ability to collaborate across practice groups. Our attorneys practice in a wide variety of areas, including litigation, environmental law, labor and employment, commercial real estate, redevelopment, municipal law, government and regulatory affairs, construction law, health care, insurance, education law, public finance, tax, and corporate and business law.

We emphasize practical legal thinking and consistently focus on helping our clients achieve their objectives and get things done. Many of our attorneys have decades of experience working in government roles, including the State Attorney Generals' Office, Prosecutor's Offices, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, while others worked in-house for Fortune 100 legal departments. The background of our attorneys, combined with our legal and business experience, provides our firm with the ability to offer superior representation to our clients.

As a client-centered firm, we value our relationships with clients and the trust they place in us. We strive to provide legal counsel that is unmatched in expertise, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness for every client, in every matter, every time.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.