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, is seeking a Litigation Attorney to join our Litigation Practice Group at either the associate or senior level, depending on the candidate's experience. We welcome applications from attorneys with 1 to 3 years of litigation experience seeking to develop their skills in a multi-faceted practice, as well as accomplished attorneys with 7 to 10+ years of substantive litigation experience who are prepared to independently manage complex civil litigation matters from inception through trial and appeal.
Our litigation practice is broad and inter-disciplinary, spanning business and commercial litigation, public entity defense and representation of government entities, governance and regulatory matters, labor and employment litigation, civil rights and constitutional law, environmental litigation, and redevelopment and land use. Junior candidates will work closely with senior litigation partners while gaining exposure to all facets of the practice; senior candidates will manage their own caseload, mentor junior attorneys, and play a key role in case strategy and client relationships.
Core Responsibilities
Litigation Handling & Case Management
- Handle a broad range of matters across business and commercial litigation, public entity defense, labor and employment, government entity tort claim defense, civil rights/constitutional law, environmental and regulatory law, and redevelopment/land use.
- Manage all phases of litigation, from drafting pleadings, discovery requests, legal research memoranda and dispositive motions, through depositions, hearings, trial, and appeal.
- Support a caseload of civil litigation matters in New Jersey state and federal courts.
- Serve as trial attorney (first- or second-chair for senior candidates) in civil jury and bench trials, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings.
- Draft, review, and manage discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and ESI collection/production using best-practice e-discovery techniques.
- Conduct original fact gathering, witness interviews, deposition preparation, and synthesis of material facts with applicable law; conduct and/or defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses.
- Draft and argue substantive and dispositive motions, motions in limine, and prepare appellate briefs in state and federal courts.
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements; participate in mediations and alternative dispute resolution.
Client Representation & Relationship Management
- Represent private and public sector clients in depositions, court conferences, hearings, arbitrations, and mediations.
- Maintain regular, effective client communication throughout the litigation process, including strategic counsel on litigation risks and case developments.
- Support and/or lead trial preparation, including witness preparation and exhibit organization.
- Attend client meetings, including day and evening municipal and public entity meetings as required.
- Coordinate with co-counsel and opposing counsel on case management, scheduling, and discovery matters.
Specialized Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation: Business disputes, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, commercial lease disputes, shareholder/partnership disputes.
Public Entity Defense & Governance: Tort Claims Act, civil rights/constitutional law, regulatory matters, land use, transportation, redevelopment, eminent domain/condemnation, real property tax appeals.
Labor & Employment Litigation: ERISA, Taft-Hartley Act, employment discrimination (LAD, Title VII, ADA, ADEA), wrongful termination, whistleblower claims (CEPA), wage-and-hour disputes.
Civil Rights & Constitutional Law
Environmental Litigation: CERCLA, RCRA, New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act, cost-recovery actions, contribution claims, regulatory enforcement.
Appellate Practice: Drafting appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments in state and federal appellate courts.
Essential Qualifications
Education & Bar Admission
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Admission in good standing to practice law in New Jersey (state and federal level required; U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey admission required for senior-level candidates).
Experience
Junior Associate track: 1 to 3 years of litigation experience in a clerkship, government, or law firm setting, with New Jersey practice experience.
Senior Attorney track: 7 to 10+ years of substantive civil litigation experience in a government or law firm setting, with demonstrated in-court experience, substantial New Jersey state and federal court practice, a proven track record managing complex litigation from inception through resolution, and experience drafting/arguing substantive motions (including summary judgment) and conducting/defending depositions.
Required Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills
- Strong to superior legal research, writing, and analytical abilities (commensurate with experience level).
- Familiarity/proficiency with e-discovery tools and platforms.
- Knowledge of legal research tools such as Westlaw and/or LexisNexis.
- Familiarity with electronic court filing systems (eCourts, CM/ECF) preferred for senior candidates; experience with case management and time/billing systems a plus.
Professional Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present legal arguments clearly and persuasively.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage cases independently and collaboratively within a team; ability to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously.
- Sound professional judgment, strong advocacy and negotiation skills, and commitment to a lawyer's professional and ethical duties.
Preferred Qualifications
- Understanding of civil procedure and litigation processes; familiarity with representation of private and public sector clients within our key practice areas.
- Admission to the New York and/or Pennsylvania State Bar.
- Appellate court experience, including oral argument.
- Experience with alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell or similar peer-review distinction (senior-level).
- Portable book of business is a plus and will be factored into starting compensation.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with clients, colleagues, adversaries, and courts.
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual salary range is commensurate with experience level and any portable book of business the candidate brings.
- 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.
Many of our attorneys have decades of experience working in government roles, including the State Attorney General's Office, Prosecutor's Offices, and the U.S. Attorney's Office, while others worked in-house for Fortune 100 legal departments. As a client-centered firm, we value our relationships with clients and the trust they place in us, and 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.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Paramus, NJ 07652
