Associate Attorney

Job Title: Associate Attorney, Litigation
Reports To: Practice Director
Department: All Practice Groups

Job Summary:

SUPERSTARS ONLY!

ONLY OVERACHIEVERS SHOULD APPLY.

If you work for good lawyers who have taught you well, but the vibe is just too stuffy or you feel constrained by the silo they've put you in, then you're exactly who we're looking for.

Position is full-time, on-premises position. Hybrid may be available following performance review(s).

Every job at JCJLG has the same 5 primary qualifications: (1) Be smart; (2) Work hard (3) Learn fast; (4) Be dependable; and (5) Don't be an [jerk].

Duties required of every job at JCJLG include:

• Always do your best because it’s in your nature, not because someone is watching over your shoulder.
• Don’t require micro-management to accomplish the tasks laid before you; instead, expect your best from yourself because it’s your true character.
• Answer the bell every day because you know our clients are counting on you, the firm is depending on you, and your teammates are relying on you, not because you fear discipline.
• Joyfully work hard like Sisyphus, pushing a boulder up a hill you know you will never see the other side of, and lead your teammates to do the same by setting the standard of performance.
• Communicate directly, honestly, and effectively.
• Thrive under pressure and tight deadlines. (Think of how cool you'll look on social media with your hair on fire.)
• Do whatever it takes to get the job done because you’ll accept nothing less from yourself, not because you’re being paid to do so.
• Maintain/adhere to exacting standards of confidentiality established by HIPAA, the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act, the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, and the firm.
• Help us build our airplane on the way down. Ride with us ‘til the wheels fall off, then start running with us because we have goals we refuse not to acheive.
• Understand, appreciate, and learn to live by this motto: “Words matter. Details matter. Accuracy matters.”
• Follow (or at least, conceptually agree with) some of the 'teachings’ of the great American philosopher, Marshall Mathers:
• “Success is my only ** option, failure is not;”
• “Sometimes you just feel tired, you feel weak. And when you feel weak, and you feel like you wanna just give up, but you gotta search within you and find that inner strength and pull that ** outta you and get that motivation to not give up and not be a quitter, no matter how much you wanna just fall flat on your face;”
• “If you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted, one moment, would you capture it? or just let it slip?”
• “When you’re in it, try to get as much ** as you can. And when your run is over, just admit when it’s at its end;” and
• “Now this looks like a job for me.”

just to name a few.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented 2- to 3-year attorney licensed to practice law in Texas to join our team handling a diverse variety of litigation and pre-litigation matters—from personal injury to real estate disputes, from collection matters to landlord/tenant disputes, and from discovery battles to commercial litigation. A little bit of everything, plus whatever you’re passionate about (as long as it’s not criminal defense, SAPCR’s, or bankruptcy LOL). The ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm for thinking critically and analytically and have experience handling civil litigation matters from cradle to grave.

Essential Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Client intake and PNC evaluation.
• Analyze fact patterns and applicable law, draft demands and responses.
• Draft Original Petitions, Answers, Pleas in Intervention, Counterclaims.
• Draft written discovery requests and responses.
• Take and defend oral depositions.
• Draft and argue motions, responses, and replies.
• Manage and resolve pre-lit matters to achieve optimal client results without resort to litigation whenever possible.
• Assist with the training of paralegals and legal assistants to become more accurate and more efficient with a large volume of litigation.
• Assist with complicated non-party discovery disputes involving motions for protection and motions to compel.
• Most cases settle but some just must be tried. The Associate Attorney may initially second-chair some trials or assist with preparation of trial-related documents (exhibit lists, witness lists, proposed charges, motions in limine, proposed findings, etc.) or both. Associate Attorneys also first-chair smaller or less complicated matters, honing their advocacy and trial skills for cases where the stakes and complexities are greater.
• Meet with clients to counsel and advise them on their legal rights, duties, and options.
• Attend mediations, handling settlement negotiations and client interactions.
• Venues are primarily in the State District Courts of Harris County, Texas; however, it may include federal courts, county courts, and district courts all over the great State of Texas.
• Skillful use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Lexis+ Protégé, Google Gemini, MS Catapult, etc. is necessary, but we’re willing to help you develop it. We use AI tools as “thought partners,” not as brain replacements.

Qualifications:

• License to practice law in the State of Texas.
• 2-3 years of experience as an attorney practicing litigation in Texas. At least 1 year of civil litigation experience.
• Member in good standing of the Texas Bar Association.

Work Environment:

• JCJLG provides a collaborative and dynamic environment that values individuality, creativity, and authenticity.
• We detest unnecessary rules—rules that are more about reminding you who’s in charge than they are about accomplishing a result. We greatly prefer coworkers who behave like responsible adults and teammates others can rely and depend upon.
• We pride ourselves on offering flexibility within a semi-structured framework.
• We reward success and hard work, dedication, accomplishing big things for our clients, diligence, consistency, and striving to be the best you that you can be. Every time. Everyday.
• We take our work very seriously, but we try not take ourselves too seriously. Most of us have a dry, sarcastic, and dark sense of humor and are, honestly, kind of terrible people. We find that laughter helps us deal with the stress and pressure of our jobs.
• Our office is also home to Bexar, our Senior Executive Vice President of Emotional Support, an adorable French bulldog. He wanders around the office freely almost every day. If you have severe allergies to dogs or discomfort around dogs, this probably is NOT the right work environment for you.

If this portion of the job description page makes think you might not like working with us, then you’re probably right—you won’t. We wish you well, but we encourage you not to apply.

If this portion of the job description piques your interest because you pursue goals relentlessly and get frustrated working alongside people who don't work as hard and accomplish as much as you do, then we want to meet you. Please keep reading.

Competencies:

To excel in this role, a successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Communication: Amazing at open, honest, direct, and efficient communication with all stakeholders for every file.
• Client Focus: Responds promptly to client needs and follows through on commitments.
• Teamwork: Collaborates effectively, values diverse opinions, and contributes to a positive team environment.
• Dependability: Is consistently punctual and ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of tasks and meets deadlines.
• Professionalism: Approaches others respectfully and handles sensitive information with discretion.
• Efficiency: Meets productivity standards, works swiftly, and seeks to continuously improve. Willingness to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance, supplement, and streamline file organization, legal research, and drafting—but not replace hard work, creativity, and analytical thinking—is required.

Core Values Summary:

• Communication is key.
• Work smart, work hard, and always strive to improve.
• Be dependable, learn quickly, and contribute to team success.
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude—no exceptions.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office (esp. Word and Excel), Adobe Acrobat, MS Outlook, and MS Teams.
• Familiarity with MS SharePoint and OneDrive is helpful.
• Ability to quickly learn proprietary software and systems unique to JCJLG and its clients.

Other Important Stuff:

• Interested applicants should send a resume (in .pdf format) and cover letter (also .pdf) to info@jcjlawgroup.com. The cover letter should consist of 3-5 sentences explaining why you believe you're a superstar.
• In your email to info@jcjlawgroup.com, not the cover letter, please tell us about 2 times you overachieved at something, anything—professionally or personally.
• We strive for authenticity and transparency. Our website (https://jcjlawgroup.com) is a very accurate reflection of who we are. Please go check it out. If you like what you see, then we are probably a good fit for you; however, if it seems like we’re not exactly your vibe, then we’re very likely not—and we’re okay with that, too. The Subject of your email should say why you jive with our merry band of misfits, based on our website, in 6 words or less.

Physical Demands:

• This role requires regular use of a computer, including sitting for extended periods.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to support individuals with disabilities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• civil litigation: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77040 (Required)

Work Location: In person