Senior Counsel

Join Tyson & Mendes – Advance Your Career in Insurance Defense

Dallas, Texas | Senior Counsel | 8+ Years of Insurance Defense Experience

An active Texas Bar license is required.

Great litigators are developed through meaningful experience, challenging cases, and the opportunity to lead.
At Tyson & Mendes, we're building teams of accomplished attorneys who want to do exceptional work, collaborate with talented colleagues, and become the next generation of leaders.

Our Dallas office is seeking
Senior Counsel attorneys with 8+ years of insurance defense experience
who are ready to take their careers to the next level.

We're looking for experienced, confident litigators who can independently manage complex cases, develop effective defense strategies, and contribute to a highly collaborative team. Whether your goal is to strengthen your trial practice, mentor developing attorneys, or pursue a future leadership or partnership opportunity, we offer the resources and support to help you grow.

About Our Dallas Team

Our Dallas office represents clients throughout Texas in complex state and federal litigation, including trucking and transportation, premises liability, products liability, catastrophic injury, and complex casualty matters.

The office is led by
Thera Cooper
, Dallas Branch Office Managing Partner
, with regional leadership from
Scott Ruksakiati
, Midwest & Central Regional Managing Partner
.

Thera brings extensive experience in complex litigation, trial advocacy, and appeals, including commercial disputes, catastrophic personal injury, construction litigation, and products liability. Her background includes successful dispositive motions, favorable trial outcomes, and appellate victories.

Our Dallas team values strong professional relationships, open communication, and shared accountability. We are seeking experienced attorneys who can contribute immediately, support their colleagues, and help strengthen the team's continued growth.

Why Tyson & Mendes?

Lead Complex Litigation:
Take ownership of sophisticated, high-exposure cases, develop defense strategies, and guide matters from inception through resolution.

Pathways to Leadership & Partnership:
Explore merit-based opportunities for advancement, including leadership development, mentorship, and potential partnership.

Collaborative, Connected Teams:
Work alongside accomplished litigators who value communication, teamwork, and shared success.

Exceptional Resources & Trial Training:
Access national resources, advanced trial training, and innovative strategies focused on stopping Nuclear Verdicts®.

National Strength, Local Connection:
Enjoy the resources and stability of a national litigation firm while maintaining the close professional relationships of a collaborative local team.

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Hybrid or remote opportunities may be available based on position requirements, team needs, and performance.

Who We're Looking For

Active Texas Bar license in good standing.

8+ years of insurance defense litigation experience required.

Significant experience in general liability, premises liability, transportation, products liability, construction, or complex casualty litigation.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.

Strong experience conducting depositions, handling discovery, drafting and arguing substantive motions, and developing litigation strategies.

Experience evaluating exposure, advising clients, negotiating settlements, and managing insurance carrier relationships.

Trial experience preferred, with the confidence and ability to take an active role in courtroom proceedings.

Excellent legal writing, analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

A collaborative leadership mindset, with an interest in mentoring attorneys and contributing to team development.

A commitment to exceptional client service, professional accountability, and continued growth.

Your Experience. Your Leadership. Your Future.

At Tyson & Mendes, we recognize that experienced attorneys bring more than legal knowledge. They bring judgment, perspective, mentorship, and the ability to elevate the people around them.

We're looking for Senior Counsel attorneys who want to make a meaningful impact today while building toward future leadership opportunities.

If you're an accomplished insurance defense litigator seeking challenging work, a collaborative team, and a genuine opportunity for professional advancement,
we'd like to meet you.

Apply today and help shape the future of insurance defense at Tyson & Mendes.

Responsibilities

Develop a case theme that is more compelling than any plaintiff ploy for sympathy or anger

Refuse to accept mediocrity, the average, the standard or the norm in anything

Independently handle court appearances, depositions, briefs and trials

Work as part of a team with all levels of experiences

Routine communications with clients

Cultivate relationships with the firm’s existing and future clients

Provide leadership and direction with respect to less experienced attorneys

Requirements

JD from an ABA approved school

Must be licensed in your state

8+ years of solid litigation experience, specifically with litigation support, deposition and trial preparation

Ability to manage full case handling responsibilities, including all facets of discovery and trial

Experience handling insurance defense matters preferred

Experience with time management systems

Proficiency in MS Suite, specifically Word, PowerPoint and Outlook

Ability to think and act independently and with minimal supervision

Outstanding listening, verbal and written communication skills

Professional appearance and demeanor

Compensation Package

The base salary for this position ranges from $150,000 - 200,000 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!
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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