Description:
DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP, a mid-size, full-service firm in New Jersey, seeks a Senior Litigation Attorney to join our Litigation Practice Group. We are seeking an accomplished New Jersey civil litigator with minimum of 10 years of substantive litigation experience and demonstrated in-court experience who is prepared to independently manage complex litigation from case inception through trial and appeal.This role is well suited to a senior associate or counsel-level attorney with experience in commercial litigation, public entity defense, labor and employment litigation, civil rights/constitutional law, environmental litigation, redevelopment, and land use. The successful candidate will work closely with partners and associates, manage junior attorneys, develop case strategy, and maintain client relationships. Experience in New Jersey state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, is essential.
What you will do:
Litigation Management
- Independently manage a diverse caseload of complex civil litigation matters in both New Jersey state and federal courts.
- Handle all phases of litigation from case inception through discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal.
- Serve as first-chair or second-chair trial attorney in civil jury and bench trials, arbitrations, administrative proceedings and appeals.
- Handle complex commercial litigation involving breach of contract, commercial lease disputes, and related business matters.
- Oversee public entity defense matters, including, but not limited to the Tort Claims Act, Law Against Discrimination, Conscientious Employee Protection Act, Civil Rights Act, redevelopment and land use, eminent domain, real property taxation, property liability as well as prosecution of affirmative claims on behalf of government entities.
- Conduct and defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses.
- Draft and argue dispositive motions, motions in limine, and other substantive motions in state and federal courts.
- Prepare and file appellate briefs in state appellate courts and federal courts of appeal.
- Identify key legal issues, formulate strategy and conduct or oversee comprehensive legal research to support case strategies and motion practice.
- Draft, review, and manage all forms of discovery, including interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.
- Negotiate and draft settlement agreements and participate in mediations and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
- Represent both private and public sector clients in court appearances, depositions, hearings, arbitrations, and mediations.
- Maintain regular client communication and provide strategic legal counsel on litigation risks, case developments, and settlement considerations.
- Attend and participate in client meetings, including day and evening municipal and public entity meetings as required.
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor on litigation and legal compliance matters.
- Coordinate with co-counsel and opposing counsel on case management, scheduling, and discovery matters.
- Mentor and supervise junior associates, providing guidance on legal research, brief writing, motion practice, and trial preparation.
- Review and provide substantive feedback on work product prepared by junior attorneys and paralegals.
- Collaborate with partners and practice group members on case strategy, resource allocation, and workload management.
- Contribute to the development of firm best practices and litigation procedures.
- Candidates with substantial experience in one or more of the following practice areas are encouraged to apply:
- Commercial Litigation: Handle complex business disputes, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, commercial lease disputes, and shareholder/partnership disputes.
- Public Entity Defense: Defend and prosecute claims on behalf of public entities in civil rights, tort, labor and employment, property damage, environmental, eminent domain and regulatory matters, among other things.
- Labor & Employment Litigation: Manage cases involving ERISA, the Taft-Hartley Act, employment discrimination (LAD, Title VII, ADA, ADEA), wrongful termination, whistleblower claims, and wage-and-hour disputes.
- Appellate Practice: Draft appellate briefs and present oral arguments in state and federal appellate courts.
- Redevelopment & Land Use Litigation: Represent public and private sector clients in redevelopment challenges, land use appeals, zoning disputes, and eminent domain proceedings.
- Environmental Litigation: Handle matters involving federal and state environmental statutes, including CERCLA, RCRA, and the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act; represent clients in cost-recovery actions, contribution claims, and regulatory enforcement proceedings.
Required Qualifications:
Education & Bar Admission
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Admission in good standing to practice law in the State of New Jersey.
- Minimum of 10 years of substantive civil litigation experience in a government or law firm setting.
- Demonstrated in-court experience.
- Substantial experience practicing in New Jersey state and federal courts.
- Proven track record of managing complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.
- Experience conducting and defending depositions.
- Experience drafting and arguing substantive motions, including summary judgment motions, in both state and federal courts.
- Experience with appellate practice, including drafting appellate briefs and arguing appeals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Admission to the New York and/or Pennsylvania State Bar.
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell or similar peer-review distinction.
- Portable book of business (a plus but not required).
