Mid-Level Litigation Associate – Commercial Litigation

New York City, NY | Hybrid – 3 Days In-Office
$250,000–$280,000 Base Salary | Full-Time

Global Placement Firm is conducting a confidential search for an experienced Mid-Level Litigation Associate to join the New York office of a highly respected national law firm with a sophisticated commercial litigation practice.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented, hands-on litigator with 5–7 years of general commercial litigation experience who is ready to take significant ownership of complex matters, work directly with accomplished litigation partners, and represent clients in New York State and federal courts.

The ideal candidate has meaningful courtroom experience, excellent legal research and writing skills, and the confidence to independently manage substantive litigation responsibilities in a collaborative, lean-team environment.

Position Overview

As a Mid-Level Litigation Associate, you will handle a broad range of sophisticated commercial disputes while working closely with multiple partners and clients.

Unlike positions where associates primarily perform research and document review, this role offers substantial hands-on litigation experience, including depositions, motion practice, witness preparation, courtroom appearances, and first-chair opportunities.

The successful candidate will be a proactive, confident attorney who can independently manage assignments, exercise sound legal judgment, and contribute meaningfully to litigation strategy from the outset.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of general commercial litigation matters with significant autonomy and responsibility.
• Handle complex business disputes and commercial litigation proceedings in New York State and federal courts.
• Take and defend depositions, including fact witness and expert witness depositions.
• Draft, research, and argue substantive motions before state and federal courts.
• Prepare witnesses for depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings.
• First-chair hearings and other litigation proceedings when appropriate.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies in collaboration with partners and clients.
• Draft pleadings, briefs, motions, discovery requests, and other litigation documents.
• Conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis using Westlaw and LexisNexis.
• Manage discovery, evaluate evidence, and coordinate litigation preparation.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding case developments, legal strategies, and procedural matters.
• Collaborate with multiple litigation partners across a diverse portfolio of commercial disputes.
• Independently manage deadlines, competing priorities, and substantive case responsibilities.
• Provide practical, strategic legal advice while maintaining exceptional professional standards.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of substantive general commercial litigation experience, preferably within a law firm environment.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in New York State, in good standing.
• Demonstrated experience litigating matters in New York State and federal courts.
• Meaningful hands-on experience taking and defending depositions.
• Experience handling expert witness depositions.
• Strong motion drafting and oral advocacy experience.
• Experience preparing witnesses for depositions, hearings, or trial.
• Demonstrated courtroom exposure and the ability to confidently handle litigation proceedings.
• Exceptional legal research, analytical, and persuasive writing skills.
• Strong academic credentials.
• Ability to independently manage substantive litigation responsibilities.
• Excellent client communication and relationship-management skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at a respected national, regional, or sophisticated commercial litigation law firm.
• Demonstrated ability to independently argue motions before judges.
• First-chair experience in hearings or other litigation proceedings.
• Experience handling complex commercial disputes involving multiple parties or sophisticated business issues.
• Experience working directly with senior litigation partners and institutional or corporate clients.
• Strong proficiency with Westlaw and LexisNexis.
• Experience managing matters through discovery, dispositive motions, and trial preparation.
• A demonstrated record of increasing responsibility throughout legal practice.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a confident, proactive commercial litigator who has developed meaningful courtroom and litigation experience and is ready to take the next step in their legal career.

This position is particularly well suited for an attorney who enjoys substantive litigation work, thrives in a collaborative environment, and wants direct access to partners, clients, and courtroom opportunities.

We're Looking For Someone Who:

• Has genuine, hands-on litigation experience rather than primarily research or document-review responsibilities.
• Is comfortable taking ownership of matters and working independently.
• Has personally taken and defended depositions.
• Can confidently draft, present, and argue motions.
• Demonstrates strong courtroom presence and professional judgment.
• Enjoys working directly with partners and clients.
• Is highly responsive, organized, and deadline-driven.
• Can manage multiple litigation matters without extensive supervision.
• Brings initiative, confidence, and a solutions-oriented approach to legal practice.
• Thrives in a lean, collaborative litigation team.

Practice Environment

This opportunity offers the advantages of a sophisticated national law firm combined with the accessibility and meaningful responsibility of a smaller litigation team.

Associates are expected to be active participants in litigation strategy and execution, with opportunities to work closely with experienced partners across a variety of commercial disputes.

The successful candidate will benefit from direct client exposure, substantial litigation responsibility, and opportunities to continue developing courtroom advocacy skills.

This is an excellent fit for an attorney who values hands-on experience, professional development, meaningful responsibility, and collaborative legal practice.

Compensation & Position Details

Base Salary: $250,000–$280,000 annually

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: New York City, NY

Work Arrangement: Hybrid – 3 days in-office per week

Open Positions: 1

Equity: Not applicable

Visa Sponsorship: Not available; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Why Join

This position offers an opportunity to advance your litigation career within a respected national law firm while gaining significant exposure to sophisticated commercial disputes and experienced litigation partners.

Key advantages include:

• Competitive Compensation: Base salary of $250,000–$280,000.
• Meaningful Litigation Experience: Direct involvement in depositions, motion practice, hearings, and litigation strategy.
• Courtroom Opportunities: Opportunities to develop and demonstrate oral advocacy and first-chair litigation skills.
• Partner Access: Work closely with experienced litigation partners who value collaboration and associate involvement.
• Direct Client Interaction: Build relationships with clients and participate meaningfully in case strategy.
• Professional Growth: Develop greater autonomy and responsibility while handling sophisticated commercial disputes.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Three days per week in the New York office.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a lean litigation team where initiative, responsiveness, and substantive contributions are valued.

Candidate Considerations

This position requires an attorney who can contribute immediately and independently handle meaningful litigation responsibilities.

Candidates whose experience has been primarily limited to document review, legal research, or supporting litigation teams without substantial deposition or courtroom exposure may not be aligned with the requirements of this opportunity.

The firm is seeking a litigator who is engaged, confident, proactive, and comfortable taking the lead on substantive assignments while collaborating closely with partners and clients.

Confidential Search

This position is being presented by Global Placement Firm on behalf of a confidential national law firm client.

Additional information regarding the firm, practice group, and hiring team will be shared with qualified candidates during the recruitment process.