Insurance Coverage Associate

Tollefson Bradley Mitchell & Melendi, LLP is an established insurance coverage firm in Dallas looking for a 2- to 8-year associate for its insurance coverage litigation practice. 

What we need: 

1. Two years’ litigation experience. We need someone who can step into ongoing cases with the experience to know where to take them. 
2. Strong legal research and writing skills. Texas insurance law is well developed, so you must be comfortable with Westlaw or Lexis (we have both), getting an idea of the law on a particular subject, and distilling it in a clear manner. We write things for varied audiences — courts, opposing counsel, clients, insureds, mediators, etc. We are looking for someone who knows their audience and can adapt their writing style to match who’s reading. 
3. Detail is important in what we do. You must be able and willing to pay attention to the small stuff. You also must be able to power through the boring stuff — no one likes discovery, but doing it well the first time can save time down the road and be used as an advantage in litigation. 
4. Reading insurance policies is part of the job. You have to be willing to do that. We think it’s more fun than it sounds. 

Not required, but will help you stand out: 

1. Prior insurance coverage work is a plus, and probably means you are the leading candidate. 
2. If you don’t have insurance coverage experience that’s OK. But we need you to be willing and eager to learn. There is a steep learning curve to insurance law, so we are looking for someone who can push through that. 
3. Being a law nerd. Insurance policies are kind of like a puzzle that fit together in a specific way. If you like reading, problem solving, and thinking about legal arguments, you will do well here. 
4. Knowledge of the Federal Rules. Most of the cases you will be litigating are in federal court. 

What you’ll be doing: 

1. Working on a docket of first- and third-party insurance coverage cases. 
2. Drafting pleadings, discovery requests and responses, and motions. 
3. Participating in mediations. 
4. Communicating and negotiating with attorneys for policyholders and claimants. 
5. Talking with and reporting to clients, which include large insurance carriers. 
6. Attending hearings and, depending on experience, taking depositions. Trials are not as common as they used to be, but when we have them, we take an associate to second chair. You could be that associate. 

Why we think you will like working here: 

1. Salary is competitive for the Dallas market and better other insurance practice firms. 
2. Yes, there is a billing requirement (we also like money), but it is reasonable and allows for work-life balance. We promise. 
3. Your health insurance is paid for by the firm. 
4. We pay your bar dues, your DBA dues, and your insurance law section dues. We also pay for you to attend the annual Advanced Insurance Law seminar, traditionally held in San Antonio each year. 
5. We believe you work best when you are comfortable. We have a relaxed work environment. There is no dress code. (The person writing this is wearing a hoodie). Our partners generally have an open-door policy, and we encourage asking questions. 
6. You’ll get some flexibility in where and when you work. 
7. Once a month the partners buy everyone lunch. 
8. We let you talk to clients! 
9. Participation other bar events or one-off CLEs is encouraged. 
10. The people who work here are of varied backgrounds, and we value that. 
11. You are not required to market, solicit, or originate clients. You can if you want to, but generating business is not a requirement for this job. 
12. We try to hire people we want to work with long term. More than one associate has been promoted to partner in this firm’s history. When we find the right people, we do what we can do keep them. 

Please provide a resume, a writing sample that you feel reflects your work, and references to mattr@tbmmlaw.com or lisas@tbmmlaw.com