Associate
Dallas or Houston, TX • Santa Fe, NM • Full-Time • In-Office
About Durham, Pittard & Spalding
Durham, Pittard & Spalding, LLP (DP&S) is a nationally recognized civil appellate and strategic litigation support firm with offices in Dallas, TX, Santa Fe, NM, and Houston, TX. Ranked Tier 1 by Best Lawyers and home to multiple Texas and New Mexico Super Lawyers, DP&S has built its reputation on providing sophisticated appellate counsel and substantive trial support to law firms handling complex, high-stakes civil matters. We work across a wide range of civil practice areas including personal injury, commercial litigation, products liability, and more, serving primarily as strategic partners to trial attorneys throughout the litigation lifecycle.
The Opportunity
DP&S is growing and seeking experienced litigation attorneys to join its Dallas, Houston and Santa Fe offices. These are not traditional associate roles — we are looking for attorneys who think strategically, write with precision, and can serve as trusted counsel to trial lawyers and clients through every phase of a case. You will work at the intersection of trial support and appellate practice, contributing substantively from early case strategy through post-trial proceedings and appeal.
What You'll Do
Provide strategic litigation support to trial teams across all stages of civil litigation, from pre-trial motions through trial and appeal
Research and draft substantive motions, including dispositive motions, motions in limine, Daubert challenges, jury charge submissions, and appellate briefs
Serve as the appellate counsel on the trial team during trial
Analyze trial records and identify, preserve, and develop issues for appellate review
Collaborate directly with trial counsel to shape litigation strategy and build a clean, defensible record
Contribute to business development efforts, including building relationships with referral sources, participating in CLE presentations, and supporting firm marketing initiatives
Engage with clients and co-counsel as a credible, substantive legal resource
What We're Looking For
J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing in Texas or New Mexico
3+ years of civil litigation or clerkship experience, with meaningful exposure to motion practice, trial support, or appellate work
Exceptional legal research and writing skills
Ability to manage complex legal issues across a range of civil matters independently and as part of a team
Strong professional judgment and the ability to provide clear, strategic counsel under pressure
Portable business or an existing referral network is a meaningful plus, but not required
Genuine interest in and commitment to business development as an ongoing part of your practice
Why DP&S
A firm that has spent 20+ years doing one thing extremely well — appellate and trial support — and is recognized nationally for it
Work on high-stakes, complex civil matters alongside attorneys who are consistently recognized as the top trial lawyers in the country
A collaborative, intellectually rigorous environment that values excellent legal work above all else
Opportunities to develop your own practice and profile through business development, CLE speaking, and client relationships
Offices in Dallas and Houston (TX) and Santa Fe (NM) — vibrant markets with strong legal communities
To Apply
This search is being conducted by Flex HR on behalf of Durham, Pittard & Spalding, LLP. Qualified candidates should submit a resume within.
Skills Required
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Licensed and in good standing in Texas or New Mexico
- 3+ years of civil litigation or clerkship experience with exposure to motion practice, trial support, or appellate work
- Experience researching and drafting substantive motions and appellate briefs (dispositive motions, motions in limine, Daubert challenges, jury charge submissions)
- Exceptional legal research and writing skills
- Ability to manage complex legal issues independently and as part of a team
- Strong professional judgment and ability to provide clear, strategic counsel under pressure
- Genuine interest in and commitment to business development
- Portable business or existing referral network
What We Do
Flex HR is a full-service human resources outsourcing and consulting firm dedicated to supporting small and mid-sized companies. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including strategic HR consulting, back-office administration, payroll, recruiting, and regulatory compliance. By providing an accessible and affordable alternative to internal HR departments, Flex HR enables business owners to focus on their core operations and growth while ensuring a professional HR infrastructure.
