Insurance Recovery and Complex Litigation - Associate Attorney

Insurance Recovery and Complex Litigation - Associate Attorney

We take money from insurance companies. And we do it through magic—or so other lawyers tell us. The money funds environmental cleanup, helps victims of abuse, resolves high-value commercial disputes, and saves people and companies facing financial ruin. Most lawsuits involve insurance policies, and we unlock them through negotiation, mediation, and litigation with insurers. We need exceptional lawyers to help make insurers keep their promises. No coverage familiarity needed, just creativity, strategic thinking, strong analytical and writing skills, and hustle. With our ongoing litigation, there is a great opportunity to come in and learn how to litigate complex cases from beginning to end, including the dispositive motion practice that decides most insurance disputes. Associates may also have the opportunity to work on non-insurance litigation matters with our commercial litigation group.

Starting salary is $110,000-$160,000 depending on experience, and bonuses are provided for attorneys that exceed the 1,650 minimum billable hours requirement. Part of your growth as an attorney comes through building relationships with your colleagues, and we prefer that you be in the office to help foster those relationships. Because life gets busy and we don’t always want to commute every day, there is flexibility on the number of days that you are in the office. 

About Our Firm

Paternoster Farnell & Grein, LLP is a client-centered law firm located in Portland, OR, and built around a simple idea: clients deserve thoughtful, high-level legal work they can rely on through the opportunities they plan for, and the challenges they don’t. We work with businesses, individuals, and governments across a broad range of needs, with a focus on policyholder insurance recovery, complex commercial litigation, business transactions, estate planning, and more. Our firm culture is a big part of the work that sets us apart. We’re a collaborative team that values clarity, responsiveness, and creativity in every matter we handle. Our attorneys are known for delivering sharp, strategic legal writing and highly personalized service tailored to each client’s goals, and we do it together. While we take great pride in delivering exceptional service to each client, we also believe great legal work doesn’t have to come from a high-stress, burnout-prone environment. Our firm prioritizes a healthy work-life balance, and we’ve found that actually leads to better thinking, better advocacy, and better outcomes.

We’re proud to call the Northwest home. From our downtown Portland office, we work alongside the community we represent.

Benefits & Support

• Full health coverage (premiums paid by the firm)
• 401(k) with match
• PTO and parental leave
• Paid downtown parking
• Ongoing mentorship and hands-on development for associates 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Paternoster Farnell & Grein, LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The firm’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. The firm also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

Application Materials

Please submit a resume and writing sample to Director of Human Resources and Employee Resources Kirsten Hamrick KHamrick@pfglaw.com

At this time, PFG is only considering direct applicants and is not partnering with external recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early submission as interviews may begin immediately.