Job Details
Cruser Mitchell offers a UNIQUE opportunity for a new or experienced Associate Litigators interested in becoming GREAT lawyers with GREAT client growth opportunities. The salary range is commensurate with experience.
Who we are and what we do:
The Indianapolis office of Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP is a small office practicing on the southside of Carmel. Practice areas include: Automotive & Trucking Litigation, Construction Law, Contingent Fee Litigation/Subrogation Recovery, Employment Law, Food Contamination, Governmental/Civil Rights Law, Insurance Coverage Disputes/Bad Faith Claims, Litigation, and Premises/Product/Professional Liability. The location is close to Keystone and 465 and offers convenient free parking and many food and shopping options within a 5-minute radius. You would have the opportunity to work with and learn from attorneys with anywhere between 15 and 45 years experience in a casual setting. At Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet, LLP, we put family first and ensure we provide a work-life balance while also ensuring associates are given the experience needed to defend a wide-variety of cases.
We wish to grow our team of attorneys to meet client requests to resolve increasing numbers of matters. We are looking to fill two positions with any of the following:
- law student (3L) who would be hired on a contingent basis of passing the bar at a student hourly rate. Must have strong writing skills and an understanding of case analysis, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing, and arguing motions, and taking/defending depositions.
- new defense attorney (less than 2 years) with experience in pre-complaint investigations, case analysis, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing, and arguing motions, taking and defending depositions. The team members will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the firm s practice, including participating in trials, mediations, and counseling on a wide variety of areas. This level would start off at an entry level salary (Tier 1).
- experienced associate litigator with at least three (3) years of strong civil defense litigation experience. Specifically, we want associates that have experience with pre-complaint investigations, case analysis, drafting and responding to discovery, preparing, and arguing motions, taking and defending depositions, trial preparation, and generally have the skills to develop and implement efficient strategies to resolve claims against our clients. The team members will have the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the firm s practice, including participating in trials, mediations, and counseling on a wide variety of areas. This level would start in a Tier 2 salary.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Analyze complex legal and factual issues, conduct extensive, well-reasoned legal research, independently develop and present defense strategies on behalf of clients.
- Prepare complex pleadings, written discovery, depositions, motions, and briefs in support of defense strategies.
- Provide effective and timely communications, information, legal advice, and other services to clients regarding claims on legal and factual issues.
- Communicate with the court, witnesses, opposing counsel, and co-counsel in a manner consistent with established office procedures.
- Responsibility for the prompt, efficient, and effective disposition of assigned cases.
- Assist in preparing and presenting witnesses and evidence at trials, judicial and administrative hearings, arbitrations, and alternative dispute resolutions.
We are looking for a candidate with:
- 3Ls or recent grad from an accredited law school with a commitment to the firm, contingent on passing the bar within 6 months, or
- Bachelor's degree with J.D. from an accredited law school, and admission to the Indiana State Bar; good standing required
- Preference to someone with 2-4 years of experience in insurance defense or related setting
- Litigation experience preferred
- Strong critical thinking skills; the ability to see the big picture and apply appropriate case law
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Excellent work ethic
Benefits:
We set ourselves apart from other law firms by offering clear pay tiers commensurate with billable hours worked starting at 1750 billable hours per year to ensure a work-life balance.
- schedules, eight paid holidays, weekends, and minimum 3-wks PTO
- plan options to choose from including medical, dental, vision, and 401k.
- attorney registration fees paid
- registration fees
- memberships for industry organizations (DRI, TIDA, ISBA, etc.)
Pay Tiers (Based on below evaluation)
3Ls Starting salary $38 hourly or 66,500K if full-time (minimum 1500 billable and 250 non-billable hours).
Tier 1 (less than 3 years experience) salary based on billable hours between 1750 and 1900: 90 120K
Tier 2 (3-6 years experience practicing defense of civil matters) based on billable hours between 1750 and
1900: 105 135K
Tier 3 (6-9 years experience practicing defense of civil matters) based on billable hours between 1750 and
1900: 120 150K
Bonuses: pay level plus a 20% premium for every 50 billable hours over 1900 for all tiers
Candidate Evaluation
Candidates will be evaluated based on their years practicing in one or more of the following areas: Automotive & Trucking Litigation, Construction Law, Contingent Fee Litigation/Subrogation Recovery, Employment Law, Food Contamination, Governmental/Civil Rights Law, Insurance Coverage Disputes/Bad Faith Claims, Litigation, and Premises/Product/Professional Liability and the following:
- and relevant litigation experience; higher preference for those with insurance litigation experience (does not apply to law students or recent grads).
- of legal research, analysis and critical thinking skills.
- written and oral communication skills.