What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commercial Litigation Associate position at Plug Legal?
Commercial Litigation Associate | New York, NY
A well-established New York City law firm with a highly regarded litigation department is looking to add a Commercial Litigation Associate to its team. The practice handles a broad docket of high-stakes commercial disputes for owners, developers, landlords, lenders, and other institutional clients, spanning contract disputes, property valuation and foreclosure matters, construction issues, and general commercial litigation in state and federal courts. While the firm has particular depth in real estate-related litigation, this role is open to strong commercial litigators more broadly, a background that touches real estate or construction disputes is a plus, not a requirement.
The Role
This is an opportunity to join a busy, well-respected litigation group with real ownership over matters from first motion through trial. The team handles everything from fast-moving discovery disputes to multi-year litigation involving significant commercial assets, and associates are given genuine responsibility early, arguing motions, taking and defending depositions, and getting in front of judges, arbitrators, and juries rather than watching from the back of the room. This is a firm that wants good work from its associates, not a war of attrition measured in billable hours. You'll be expected to put in real effort on real matters, but not to disappear into your desk chair for the sake of optics.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft and argue motions
- Take and defend depositions
- Manage discovery, including document production and review using e-discovery platforms
- Prepare witnesses for hearings, trials, and arbitrations
- Participate in trials and evidentiary hearings
- Negotiate settlements and client resolutions
Your Future at the Firm
Associates here get meaningful trial and hearing experience well ahead of the typical mid-size firm curve, working alongside seasoned trial lawyers who actively mentor rather than delegate and disappear. The firm's caseload is broad enough that you can lean into a general commercial litigation career or gravitate toward a niche, such as real estate or construction disputes, as your interests and the practice's needs align. It's a genuine growth track for litigators who want more responsibility, not less, as they gain experience, without the expectation that you sacrifice everything else in your life to get there.
Who You Are
You're a seasoned commercial litigator who's comfortable owning a matter end to end, from strategy through trial, and you don't need your hand held on procedure or case management. You write persuasively, think clearly under pressure, and can juggle multiple active matters without letting any of them slip. Experience with real estate, construction, or property-related disputes is a plus, but the firm is equally interested in strong generalist commercial litigators from other backgrounds.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of complex commercial litigation experience
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
- Knowledge of New York civil procedure
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- Ability to manage multiple matters in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Beneficial Experience
- Experience with real estate-related litigation and/or construction law disputes
Compensation
$220,000 – $250,000
Salary : $200,000 - $250,000