Legal

Litigation Attorney job description

A Litigation Attorney manages complex disputes, conducts legal research, and defends corporate interests. Learn what a Litigation Attorney does and requirements.

Published August 9, 2025Updated May 16, 20266777 likes

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Job brief

We are seeking a high-caliber Litigation Attorney to join our legal team and lead our defensive strategy across a variety of complex commercial and regulatory matters. You will manage active dockets, serve as the primary liaison for external counsel, and provide critical legal analysis to protect our organization’s reputation and bottom line. This role offers the opportunity to drive strategic outcomes in multi-jurisdictional litigation while working alongside executive leadership to resolve high-stakes disputes. If you are an analytical advocate with a track record of trial-ready preparation, we invite you to help shape our legal future.

Key highlights

Manage end-to-end litigation dockets, including drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery requests for commercial and civil disputes.
Represent the company in depositions, mediation hearings, and pre-trial conferences, serving as a primary point of contact for external counsel.
Oversee e-discovery processes, including document review and production, ensuring compliance with court-mandated timelines and confidentiality protocols.
Analyze and report on litigation risk and liability exposure, providing actionable recommendations to senior management and the C-suite.

What is a Litigation Attorney?

A Litigation Attorney is a specialized legal professional who represents organizations in state and federal court proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations. A Litigation Attorney manages the lifecycle of a legal dispute, from initial pleading and discovery phases through motion practice, trial, and post-trial appeals. By leveraging sophisticated legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis and managing electronic discovery (e-discovery) platforms, they provide the rigorous counsel necessary to protect organizational assets and mitigate liability.

What does a Litigation Attorney do?

On a typical day, a Litigation Attorney drafts comprehensive legal briefs, motions, and pleadings while managing the complex document production process inherent in litigation. They conduct depositions, appear for court hearings, and engage in high-stakes settlement negotiations to resolve disputes in alignment with business objectives. Beyond the courtroom, they work closely with general counsel, outside law firms, and internal stakeholders to provide risk assessments on pending litigation, ensuring all procedural deadlines and regulatory filings are met with precision.

Key responsibilities

Manage end-to-end litigation dockets, including drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery requests for commercial and civil disputes.
Conduct exhaustive legal research using LexisNexis or Westlaw to identify case precedents and support complex motion practice.
Oversee e-discovery processes, including document review and production, ensuring compliance with court-mandated timelines and confidentiality protocols.
Represent the company in depositions, mediation hearings, and pre-trial conferences, serving as a primary point of contact for external counsel.
Analyze and report on litigation risk and liability exposure, providing actionable recommendations to senior management and the C-suite.
Draft and negotiate settlement agreements, ensuring all terms minimize future risk and satisfy internal corporate governance requirements.
Monitor legislative developments and regulatory changes, advising business units on how shifts in case law may affect current operations.
Coordinate with internal departments to preserve evidence and maintain robust case files, ensuring full adherence to litigation holds.

Requirements and skills

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school and active, good-standing bar admission in the relevant jurisdiction.
5+ years of direct litigation experience, including successful management of state or federal court matters from filing to resolution.
Advanced proficiency in legal research and writing, with a demonstrated ability to draft persuasive motions and legal memoranda.
Deep understanding of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) and relevant state-specific court rules and litigation procedures.
Demonstrated experience utilizing e-discovery platforms such as Relativity or Everlaw to manage large-scale document productions.
Strong oral advocacy and negotiation skills, proven by experience in depositions, settlement conferences, or bench/jury trials.
Analytical capability to synthesize complex facts and legal theories into clear, concise advice for non-legal stakeholders.
Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to balance multiple high-pressure deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

FAQs

What does a Litigation Attorney do on a daily basis?

A Litigation Attorney spends their daily life researching legal precedents, drafting pleadings, and managing the discovery phase of active lawsuits. They balance time between the courtroom—attending hearings or depositions—and the office, where they analyze evidence, communicate with external legal counsel, and refine defensive strategies. The role requires constant navigation of court deadlines and the drafting of complex documents to ensure the organization's legal position remains defensible and robust.

What are the essential Litigation Attorney skills and qualifications?

Essential qualifications include a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, active bar admission, and significant courtroom or dispute resolution experience. Beyond formal credentials, a successful Litigation Attorney must possess sharp analytical reasoning, persuasive writing abilities, and technical comfort with e-discovery software like Relativity. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to synthesize complex case law into clear advice for business stakeholders are also mandatory for professional success.

Who does a Litigation Attorney work with during the legal process?

A Litigation Attorney acts as a central hub, collaborating with internal departments to gather facts, and external law firms to handle specialized or local court matters. They interact frequently with opposing counsel during settlement negotiations and maintain professional communication with court clerks, judges, and arbitrators. Internally, they report to the General Counsel and provide briefings to executive leadership on the financial and operational impact of pending disputes.

Why is a Litigation Attorney role critical to organizational success?

A Litigation Attorney is critical because they act as the primary shield against legal and financial liability that could jeopardize an organization's mission. By effectively managing litigation, they help reduce settlement costs, prevent costly court sanctions, and preserve the company's reputation through sound legal strategy. Their work ensures that the business can continue to operate securely, even when facing challenging external disputes or regulatory inquiries.