Senior Litigation Associate

Firm Summary

Victor Rane () is a highly respected boutique trial firm with offices in California, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. We represent airlines and other sophisticated clients in aviation, products liability, complex tort, commercial, insurance coverage, employment, and business litigation. Our lawyers have large‑firm backgrounds and deep trial experience. We are not a volume settlement shop; our matters are closely litigated in federal and state courts through dispositive motions and, when necessary, trial.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Litigation Associate who can hit the ground running on complex aviation and tort cases. This is a true case‑handling role for an attorney who can own files, supervise junior lawyers, and work directly with sophisticated clients in a lean, high‑expectation environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as lead or second‑chair counsel on complex aviation and other civil defense matters in federal and state courts.
• Develop and execute case strategy, including early case assessment, motion planning, and trial preparation.
• Draft and argue dispositive motions and key evidentiary motions (including summary judgment, Daubert/expert challenges, and motions in limine).
• Take and defend depositions of parties, experts, and fact witnesses; prepare company and airline witnesses for testimony.
• Manage discovery, including written discovery, ESI issues, and coordination with experts and clients.
• Supervise, train, and review the work of junior associates and law clerks; help manage case teams efficiently.
• Communicate directly with airline, insurer, and corporate clients regarding strategy, reporting, risk assessment, and settlement options.
• Participate in mediations and settlement negotiations, consistent with client‑driven strategy rather than defaulting to settlement.
• Assist with and attend trials, arbitrations, and key hearings, and contribute to trial strategy and execution.
• Engage in selected client‑relations and business‑development activities as needed.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active California Bar membership (or eligibility to obtain it promptly).
• 10+ years of civil defense litigation experience.
• Significant responsibility in complex federal and state court cases, including strategy, major motion practice, and depositions.
• Meaningful experience supervising and mentoring junior attorneys and staff.
• Experience in aviation, transportation, products liability, or catastrophic personal injury defense is strongly preferred; substantial insurance‑defense and/or coverage background is a plus.
• Excellent legal writing and research skills, with a track record of high‑quality briefs and motion work.
• Strong courtroom presence, oral advocacy skills, and comfort arguing motions.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and thrive in a team‑oriented, trial‑focused environment.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple high‑stakes matters simultaneously.
• Proficiency with litigation technology and tools necessary for efficient in‑office and remote work.