Senior Counsel (Landlord/Tenant)
Bring Your Landlord Tenant Experience. Build What Comes Next.
Senior Counsel | Landlord Tenant, Habitability and General Liability | Los Angeles
An active California Bar license is required.
California habitability litigation is evolving quickly, creating an opportunity for attorneys with experience in this space to build an increasingly valuable area of expertise.
Tyson & Mendes is growing our Los Angeles practice, and Partner Julee Fritsch Earley is looking for an experienced litigator to join her team. The practice is currently focused heavily on landlord tenant and habitability litigation, along with general liability and personal injury matters.
This is an opportunity to bring the experience you have already developed to a growing practice, take meaningful ownership of cases, and work with a partner who genuinely enjoys mentoring attorneys.
Build Expertise in a Growing Practice
Habitability is an important and developing area of California litigation, and we are actively growing our capabilities in this space.
You will handle matters involving habitability claims, landlord tenant disputes, premises related issues, general negligence, personal injury, and other civil litigation.
Landlord tenant or habitability experience is particularly valuable, but your background does not have to come from the defense side.
Plaintiff attorneys are encouraged to apply.
Julee began her own career representing plaintiffs and understands the perspective and litigation skills plaintiff attorneys can bring to a defense practice. Attorneys coming from plaintiff habitability, real estate litigation, personal injury, elder abuse, nursing home litigation, or other substantive civil practices may be a strong fit.
Work With a Partner Who Actually Wants to Mentor
Julee is an experienced trial attorney who has litigated matters involving catastrophic personal injury, general negligence, trucking, products liability, employment, and healthcare in both state and federal court.
She is also happiest when she is mentoring and developing attorneys.
Her leadership style balances independence with support. She wants her attorneys thinking proactively and taking ownership, while keeping her connected so she can provide feedback, help with strategy, and step in when her experience can add value.
The team meets weekly to discuss cases and strategy, and Julee also spends individual time with her attorneys for deeper case discussions.
You will have room to practice independently without having to figure everything out alone.
Keep Building as a Litigator
Senior Counsel can arrive with very different experiences, and we recognize that years in practice do not always tell the entire story.
You may already have significant deposition and trial experience. Or you may have spent years handling substantive civil litigation without being given enough opportunities to get into the courtroom.
We are interested in the skills and judgment you bring and where you want to go next.
For the right attorney, there is an opportunity to develop into a strong second chair, expand trial experience, and take on greater responsibility as the team grows.
See a Real Path Forward
Julee understands what it feels like to wonder whether there is actually room to advance.
After spending 10 years at another firm without the pathway she wanted, she joined Tyson & Mendes as Senior Counsel and advanced to Partner.
Today, she is intentional about developing attorneys and encouraging leadership.
Tyson & Mendes is transparent about advancement and believes strong performance, initiative, judgment, client service, and leadership should create opportunities for attorneys who want to continue growing.
Modern Tools for Modern Litigation
Our attorneys have access to Tyson & Mendes' APEX methodology, Trial Academy, and nationally recognized approach to Stopping Nuclear Verdicts®, along with modern case management systems, advanced research resources, and AI enabled legal technology.
These tools are designed to support great lawyering, not replace it, giving attorneys additional ways to work strategically and efficiently while focusing their time on the parts of the practice where their judgment matters most.
Who Will Thrive Here?
We are looking for an experienced California litigator who is proactive, forward thinking, responsive, and energized by the practice of law.
Experience in landlord tenant litigation, habitability, real estate litigation, premises liability, general liability, personal injury, or related civil litigation is particularly valuable.
Insurance defense experience is helpful, including familiarity with carrier relationships and billing requirements, but it is not required.
We want attorneys who bring ideas to the table, think about what should happen next, communicate proactively, and enjoy being part of a team that takes the work seriously.
Flexibility With Real Connection
Julee leads her team remotely and understands the realities of practicing across the Los Angeles region.
The team stays connected through weekly meetings, individual case strategy discussions, regular communication, and close coordination with support staff.
We care less about where you sit every day and more about responsiveness, communication, excellent work, and staying connected to your team and cases.
Bring Your Experience. Keep Building.
If you have developed valuable experience in habitability, landlord tenant, plaintiff, or civil litigation, you do not need to start over to build something new.
Bring that perspective with you.
Come work on sophisticated matters, learn from an experienced partner who loves developing attorneys, expand your trial skills, and build toward the next stage of your career.
Join Julee Earley and the Tyson & Mendes Los Angeles team and help us continue building our California habitability and civil defense practice.
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 the State of California
- 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 $160,000-$190,000 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! (944) The Tyson & Mendes Office - YouTube
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 to numerous defense verdicts across the nation.
But we don’t stop at great legal work-we invest in our people. With specialized training in our proven defense methods, clear paths to leadership, and robust professional development, we empower attorneys to grow their careers, build their personal brands, and become leaders in the field.
Follow along with the firm on Twitter and LinkedIn or visit www.tysonmendes.com.
Equal Opportunity Employer Notice
OK, now for the legal copy (we are a law firm, after all). It is Tyson & Mendes’ policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. By the way, if you read all of this, congratulations - we can already tell your attention to detail is exceptional.
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Pay Range
$160,000—$190,000 USD