Houston, Texas | Associate Attorney | 5+ Years of Insurance Defense Experience
An active Texas Bar license is required.
Great litigators are developed through meaningful experience, strong mentorship, and the opportunity to take ownership of challenging cases. At Tyson & Mendes, we're building teams of attorneys who want to do exceptional work, grow together, and become the next generation of leaders.
Our Houston office is seeking Associate Attorneys with 5+ years of insurance defense experience who are ready to take the next step in their careers.
We're looking for confident, collaborative litigators who value open communication, strong professional relationships, and a team-oriented approach to delivering outstanding results. Whether your goal is to become an exceptional trial attorney, mentor others, or pursue future leadership or partnership opportunities, we want to help you build that future.
About Our Houston TeamOur Houston office represents clients throughout Texas in complex state and federal litigation, including trucking and transportation, premises liability, products liability, construction, catastrophic injury, and complex casualty matters at both primary and excess coverage levels.
The office is led by Jennifer Akre, Houston and Austin Branch Office Managing Partner, with regional leadership from Scott Ruksakiati, Midwest & Central Regional Managing Partner.
Jennifer brings more than 15 years of experience litigating high-risk civil and criminal matters. Her practice includes defending businesses in the transportation and logistics, oil and gas, and multifamily housing industries. A former partner at a large Texas-based firm, Jennifer combines extensive litigation experience with a strong commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and professional development. She also chairs Tyson & Mendes' Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Our Houston team values collaboration, communication, and connection. We're seeking attorneys who want to contribute to a supportive, high-performing team while developing the skills, judgment, and experience necessary for long-term professional success.
Why Tyson & Mendes?Meaningful Litigation Experience: Handle complex, high-exposure matters, develop litigation strategies, and take ownership of your cases.
Future Leadership & Partnership Opportunities: Build your career through mentorship, professional development, and merit-based pathways to leadership and partnership.
Collaborative, Connected Teams: Work alongside experienced attorneys who value open communication, knowledge sharing, and supporting one another.
Exceptional Resources & Trial Training: Benefit from national resources, advanced trial training, and innovative defense strategies focused on stopping Nuclear Verdicts®.
National Strength, Local Connection: Enjoy the resources and stability of a national litigation firm while working within a close-knit, collaborative office.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid or remote opportunities may be available based on position requirements, team needs, and performance.
Active Texas Bar license in good standing.
5+ years of insurance defense litigation experience required.
Experience in one or more of the following practice areas:
Trucking and transportation liability
Premises liability
Products liability
Construction litigation
General liability and complex casualty litigation
Catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death defense
Demonstrated ability to independently manage litigation matters, conduct depositions, draft substantive motions, and develop effective defense strategies.
Experience handling discovery, case evaluations, settlement negotiations, and client communications.
Strong legal writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Trial experience or a strong interest in further developing courtroom and trial advocacy skills.
A collaborative, team-oriented approach and commitment to exceptional client service.
Interest in continued professional development, mentorship, and potential future leadership opportunities.
At Tyson & Mendes, we're not simply filling positions. We're investing in attorneys who want to grow with us, contribute to exceptional teams, and help shape the future of insurance defense.
If you're an experienced litigator who values meaningful work, strong professional relationships, and genuine opportunities for advancement, we'd like to meet you.
Apply today and explore what's next at Tyson & Mendes.
Responsibilities
- Develop compelling case strategies that cut through emotional arguments and drive results
- Set a higher standard—challenge mediocrity and push for excellence in every aspect of your work
- Independently manage court appearances, depositions, motion practice, and trials
- Collaborate seamlessly with attorneys and staff at all experience levels
- Maintain consistent and professional communication with clients
- Build and nurture relationships with existing and prospective clients
- Mentor and provide guidance to junior attorneys, contributing to team growth and success
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active bar license in the state of Texas
- 1–8 years of solid litigation experience, including case strategy, depositions, and trial preparation
- Ability to independently manage a full caseload, from discovery through trial
- Prior insurance defense experience preferred
- Familiarity with litigation timekeeping and billing systems
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Self-motivated with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
- Professional appearance and demeanor
Compensation Package
- The base salary for this position ranges from $100,000-145,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications
- Attorneys are eligible for an annual billable hours bonus ranging from $10,000 and then aggregating with $7,500 for every additional tier
- Comprehensive benefits coverage offered, including plans available at zero employee cost (average annual employer contribution for health/vision/dental/life coverage is $700-$1,700)
- Employees benefit from a 401(k) program that includes a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the following 4-5%
- Student loan repayment assistance or 529 college savings plan (full-time attorneys after one year with the firm) $100-$200/month
- Paid parental leave at base pay
- Employees receive a monthly technology reimbursement of $60
Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate
- Comprehensive in-house training and leadership development opportunities
- Firm Provided CLE Programs and Paid Bar License Renewal Fees
- Flexible vacation policy for attorneys
- Defined pathway to partnership
- Internal diversity and inclusion programs, such as the Women’s Initiative and Young Professionals Initiative
- Firm-wide charitable giving program
- Numerous social and off-site events each year to enrich your relationships with your colleagues
- Flexible Work Model: Remote, hybrid, or onsite options available
About Tyson & Mendes
Click here to learn more about the Tyson & Mendes Office! (944) The Tyson & Mendes Office - YouTube
We’re one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the country—known for breaking the mold of the traditional law firm. Our dynamic, diverse team of trial attorneys delivers exceptional results, from landmark cases like Howell v. Hamilton Meats to numerous defense verdicts across the nation.
But we don’t stop at great legal work—we invest in our people. With specialized training in our proven defense methods, clear paths to leadership, and robust professional development, we empower attorneys to grow their careers, build their personal brands, and become leaders in the field.
Follow along with the firm on Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit www.tysonmendes.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer Notice
OK, now for the legal copy (we are a law firm, after all). It is Tyson & Mendes’ policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. By the way, if you read all of this, congratulations – we can already tell your attention to detail is exceptional.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS/EMPLOYEES OF TYSON & MENDES: Please take notice that the Firm collects certain information about you. For more information on the Firm’s policies, please refer to the document provided here.
No recruiters/agencies
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Skills Required
- Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active bar license in the state of Texas
- 1-8 years of litigation experience, including case strategy, depositions, and trial preparation
- Ability to independently manage a full caseload from discovery through trial
- Familiarity with litigation timekeeping and billing systems
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
- Professional appearance and demeanor
- Prior insurance defense experience
What We Do
Tyson & Mendes’ goal is to achieve justice for all through innovation, collaboration, and outstanding service. Founded in 2002 by principal trial attorneys Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes, we are an AV-rated litigation firm of more than 200 attorneys across the U.S. specializing in defending insurers, corporations, and insureds in civil litigation. Tyson & Mendes represents clients throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. In addition to these states, our attorneys also serve clients in Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. We have handled some of the most contentious cases that have helped define insurance defense litigation, and we have earned our reputation for targeting the threat of and putting a stop to Nuclear Verdicts® – runaway jury verdicts in excess of $10 million. Our trial-only subsidiary firm, TM HALO®, is wholly dedicated to stemming the tide of Nuclear Verdicts®. Comprised of Tyson & Mendes’ elite defense attorneys with decades of courtroom experience, TM HALO lawyers parachute in to handle the thorniest, highest stakes cases and prevent Nuclear Verdicts®. Back at home, we are ensuring all of our attorneys have the tools they need to achieve exceptional results and protect our clients from unfounded damages awards. We are committed to ongoing education and development. Through comprehensive programs like our TM University and the Tyson & Mendes Trial Academy, Tyson & Mendes attorneys receive in-depth training on the proven defense methods outlined in Managing Partner Robert Tyson’s best-selling book, “Nuclear Verdicts®: Defending Justice for All,” which is the first playbook for the defense on how to avoid runaway jury verdicts
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