Litigation Associate

Description:

Do you have strong foundational litigation skills, a client-first mindset, and a drive to grow into a courtroom-ready advocate? The Law Offices of Beninato & Matrafajlo, led by award-winning New Jersey trial lawyer Dan T. Matrafajlo, is seeking a Litigation Associate to support our Managing Partner and help guide cases from intake through resolution. This is an opportunity to join a top-rated, results-driven firm with a proven record of substantial verdicts and settlements, while developing your advocacy under the mentorship of seasoned trial counsel.

You bring excellent writing, research, and organization, with a willingness to take ownership as your skills progress. You will draft pleadings and motions, assist with discovery, prepare for and attend depositions and hearings with supervision, and communicate with clients, experts, and opposing counsel. As your experience grows, you will assume greater responsibility across the litigation lifecycle, with clear milestones for professional development, courtroom exposure, and trial readiness.

Our firm is dedicated to protecting individuals who have suffered serious injury or loss through no fault of their own. We combine relentless advocacy with integrity, compassion, and strategic precision, delivering the sophisticated representation of a large firm with the personal attention of a boutique practice. If you are ready to learn from accomplished trial lawyers and make a meaningful impact for injury victims and their families, we want to meet you.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a developing docket of personal-injury matters from intake through resolution, focusing on pre-suit evaluation, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation under the guidance of senior counsel.
• Conduct legal research and synthesize findings into practical recommendations that inform litigation strategy and settlement posture.
• Develop litigation strategies in partnership with senior counsel, aligning case plans, deadlines, and resources to maximize case value and efficiency.
• Draft pleadings, discovery requests and responses, motions, and concise briefs with accuracy, clarity, and strategic alignment to case themes.
• Prepare for and attend depositions, mediations, arbitrations, hearings, and conferences with supervision, taking increasing ownership over time.
• Support and, when appropriate, argue routine motions in court with professionalism, preparedness, and adherence to local rules.
• Collaborate with paralegals, investigators, treating providers, and expert witnesses to build cohesive evidentiary records and well-supported damages models.
• Maintain clear, empathetic client communication throughout the case lifecycle, including regular status updates and expectation setting.
• Participate in settlement negotiations and mediations alongside senior attorneys, contributing analysis on liability, damages, and risk to drive favorable outcomes.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready case files and accurate calendars, ensuring deadlines, discovery obligations, and court appearances are met without exception.
• Monitor changes in relevant statutes, rules, and case law, and share concise updates with the team to support best-in-class advocacy.
• Model strong teamwork by mentoring our legal support team on task execution, escalating issues promptly, and reinforcing firm standards for quality and client service.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in New Jersey.
• Minimum 1–3 years of litigation experience, ideally with a focus on personal-injury or insurance-defense matters.
• Client-focused approach with outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to handle depositions, motion hearings, and client communications independently.
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Commitment to professional excellence, ethics, and client service.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-value, complex cases from inception through resolution.
• Strong organizational abilities with the capacity to handle a high-volume caseload while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
• Unwavering commitment to integrity, professionalism, and delivering the highest level of client service.
• Must be able to handle heavy caseload with little supervision

Compensation: $125,000 - $140,000 per year with bonus potential

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