Defense Litigation Associate - General Liability

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 City, NY; Uniondale, NY; White Plains, NY; or Stamford, CT (Hybrid remote opportunity)

Description: This associate will support the Medical and Life Sciences team in the defense of general and premises liability matters for a variety of clients; as well as assist in product liability, toxic tort, professional liability defense of senior living/assisted living facilities, as well as medical professionals including pharmacists, nurses, nurse assistants, and home health aides, in cases pending in New York, New Jersey and federal courts. Experience in all areas not expected, there will be training and the opportunity to work across a variety of legal areas.

Responsibilities

• Take and defend depositions
• Research various legal, medical and scientific issues and collaborate with senior attorneys about strategies
• Draft memoranda, briefs, significant and complex motions including motions for summary judgment, pleadings, discovery
• Draft reports to clients, including deposition reports, medical record analyses, case analysis reports, case valuations
• Coordinate with and work-up expert witnesses
• Participate in trial, mediation and ADR planning and preparation
• Represent clients at courtroom appearances, including oral argument of motions and discovery conferences
• The firm requires a minimum of 1900 billable hours annually
  
  

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of first chair deposition, and courtroom experience in general/premises liability and/or product liability matters required
• Must have Juris Doctorate degree from ABA accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar
• Must be admitted in New York; New Jersey a plus
• Must have familiarity and experience with New York Courts
• Excellent research, writing and verbal communication skills required
• Must be innovative and able to function effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines in a timely manner
• Must exhibit conscientiousness, dedication, self-discipline, and a sense of responsibility
• Must have a professional, cooperative, positive and flexible attitude
• Ability to work with diverse personalities within various levels of the organization
• Must exhibit well-developed interpersonal and client relation skills
• Military experience welcome
  
  

Salary information below will vary depending upon relevant experience for the position and geographic locations.

Uniondale & White Plains: $130,000 - 145,000

New York City: $135,000 - 160,000

Harris Beach Murtha is committed to an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from diverse candidates with varied background and skills. Harris Beach Murtha Cullina 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.

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