What are the responsibilities and job description for the Defense Litigation Associate - Asbestos position at Harris Beach Murtha?
Harris Beach Murtha formed in 2025 via the combination of Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP. A forward-thinking and innovative partnership with the benefit of more than 250 years of combined history, Harris Beach Murtha’s New York roots reach back to 1856 and the firm has had ties to New England since 1936. Harris Beach and Murtha Cullina were separately among the country’s top law firms as ranked by The National Law Journal.
Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, but a global reach. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm’s practice areas and industries served span appellate law, business litigation, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax, and trusts and estates.
The firm’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts, Newark, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
Location: New York, NY office preferred. Open to the following Harris Beach Murtha Offices: Albany, Uniondale, White Plains, NY; Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, CT; Boston, MA (Hybrid remote opportunity)
Description: We are seeking an associate to add to our Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation team to support our growing business, with a specific focus on our asbestos litigation practice. Given the global nature of our firm and broad reach of practice, this role will involve working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple offices. This position is responsible for representing asbestos defendants in a variety of industries in state and federal courts throughout the country, coordinating with co-counsel in various jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
Albany: $125,000 - $175,000
Uniondale & White Plains: $130,000 - 175,000
New York City: $135,000 - 175,000
Harris Beach Murtha is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills, including military experience. Harris Beach Murtha PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The firm’s policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, assignment of duties, training, promotion, compensation & benefits and termination. It is the policy of Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC that all applicants and employees enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting unlawful harassment. Accordingly, harassment or discrimination of any kind based on an individual’s race or color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, creed, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited. Harris Beach Murtha complies with the provisions of the Human Rights Law, all other State and Federal statutory and constitutional non-discrimination provisions including non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.
Apply Now
Harris Beach Murtha and its subsidiaries have a strong Northeast presence, but a global reach. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, tax-exempt organizations and individuals. The firm’s practice areas and industries served span appellate law, business litigation, commercial real estate, construction, corporate, environmental, energy, financial institutions, financial restructuring, government compliance and investigations, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor and employment, mass torts, medical and life sciences, political law, product liability, public finance, tax, and trusts and estates.
The firm’s lawyers and consultants practice from offices throughout Connecticut in Bantam, Hartford, New Haven and Stamford; New York state in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, New York City, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Long Island and White Plains, as well as in Boston, Massachusetts, Newark, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
Location: New York, NY office preferred. Open to the following Harris Beach Murtha Offices: Albany, Uniondale, White Plains, NY; Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, CT; Boston, MA (Hybrid remote opportunity)
Description: We are seeking an associate to add to our Mass Torts and Industry-Wide Litigation team to support our growing business, with a specific focus on our asbestos litigation practice. Given the global nature of our firm and broad reach of practice, this role will involve working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple offices. This position is responsible for representing asbestos defendants in a variety of industries in state and federal courts throughout the country, coordinating with co-counsel in various jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
- Take and defend depositions on a regular basis
- Research various issues and collaborate with senior attorneys in developing proactive defense strategies
- Navigate claims through resolution by dismissal, settlement, motion practice, or trial
- Draft memoranda, pleadings, motions, etc.
- Represent clients at courtroom appearances
- The firm requires a minimum of 1900 billable hours annually
- 2 years of deposition and courtroom experience in toxic tort matters required; preference for those with specific asbestos defense experience
- Admission to New York required
- Admission to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and/or New Jersey admission (or ability to waive into NJ) preferred
- Familiarity with Zoom, MS Teams, and other video conferencing platforms to participate in depositions, court conferences, and meetings
- Must have ability to travel for in person depositions and court conferences, including overnight, as needed
- Excellent research skills, writing skills and verbal communication required
- Must be able to function effectively in a fast-paced, team oriented environment
- Demonstrated high level organizational skills for prioritizing workload
- Demonstrated ability to absorb, process and understand, new information rapidly
- Must be able to manage competing priorities
- Maintains high standards of performance
- Exhibit conscientiousness, dedication, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility
- Must have a professional, cooperative, positive and flexible attitude
- Military experience welcome
Albany: $125,000 - $175,000
Uniondale & White Plains: $130,000 - 175,000
New York City: $135,000 - 175,000
Harris Beach Murtha is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills, including military experience. Harris Beach Murtha PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The firm’s policy prohibiting unlawful discrimination applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, assignment of duties, training, promotion, compensation & benefits and termination. It is the policy of Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC that all applicants and employees enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting unlawful harassment. Accordingly, harassment or discrimination of any kind based on an individual’s race or color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, carrier status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, creed, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited. Harris Beach Murtha complies with the provisions of the Human Rights Law, all other State and Federal statutory and constitutional non-discrimination provisions including non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.
Apply Now
Salary : $125,000 - $175,000
