Job Description

About:

A boutique defense firm with over 100 employees and offices in NJ, DE, and PA. They handle high-stakes civil defense matters and pride ourselves on collaborative teams, hands-on mentorship, and delivering practical results for our clients.

Position Summary:
Seeking a driven associate to serve as a second-chair and primary partner support on complex, high-stakes defense litigation. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can rapidly assimilate case facts, identify key legal and factual issues, manage discovery, and respond promptly and professionally to client communications.

Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as second-chair to a partner at hearings, depositions, mediations, and trials as needed
- Quickly review and synthesize case materials; identify and prioritize critical issues and research needs
- Draft and respond to discovery requests; manage document review and meet discovery deadlines
- Prepare legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, witness outlines, and trial exhibits
- Communicate with clients, co-counsel, experts, and vendors in a timely and professional manner
- Assist with case strategy, evidence development, and trial preparation
- Track case deadlines, billing, and matter management tasks
- Mentor/paralegal coordination on document management and deposition prep

Qualifications:
- J.D. and admitted to practice in NJ, DE, or PA (or eligible and willing to seek admission)
-3+ years of civil litigation experience (defense experience strongly preferred)
- Proven ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks in fast-paced matters
- Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
- Experience managing discovery, depositions, and trial preparation
- Excellent client-facing skills; responsive and professional written communication
- Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable juggling multiple deadlines
- Team-player attitude with the capacity to function as a trusted second-chair

What they Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work on complex, high-profile defense matters
- Collaborative culture with direct partner mentorship and hands-on experience
- Professional development and growth within a firm of 100+ employees across three states

If you would like to learn more about this role, please email me at Sierra.ragland@gogpac.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.