Description
We’re growing. Smith Osburn Cross is a Fort Worth insurance defense firm looking for a litigation associate who wants to actually try cases. No minimum billable requirement, no bureaucracy, no committees — just hands-on work with a small team that backs each other up.
Role Overview
- Position: Insurance Litigation Associate Attorney
- Location: 100% remote; must reside in Texas. Primarily work from home, with travel for court appearances, depositions, and mediations, principally in the Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston areas.
- Practice Area: Insurance defense litigation — (auto, premises liability, and first-party coverage matters)
- Firm Size: Small and close-knit
- Compensation: $100,000 – $120,000, depending on experience
- Billable Requirement: None. We do not set a minimum billable hour target.
About the Firm
Smith Osburn Cross is a Fort Worth litigation firm representing insurers and their insureds throughout Texas. Our cases are staffed leanly and tried when they need to be tried, which means our associates carry real responsibility on their own files instead of writing research memos for someone else’s case.
Whether the client is an entity or an individual, and whether the issue is simple or complex, our attorneys and staff give it focused, personal attention. We stress prompt, clear client communication, and we work as a team — with each other and with our clients.
What You'll Do
- Manage your own cases from intake through resolution.
- Take and defend depositions; represent clients at mediation.
- Prepare for and try cases, (second-chairing at first and moving to first chair as you’re ready).
- Draft and argue pleadings, motions, and discovery.
- Keep clients and internal team members promptly and clearly informed.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary of $100,000 – $120,000, depending on experience
- No minimum billable hour requirement
- Health insurance (with the firm paying 100% of employee premiums)
- Firm-matched SIMPLE IRA up to 3%
- Firm-paid life and disability insurance
- Paid time off, plus firm holidays
- State bar dues, CLE, and professional liability coverage paid by the firm
- Home office equipment and technology provided
- Discretionary annual bonus
How to Apply
Email your resume, a brief cover letter, and a writing sample to jobs@smctrial.com with “Insurance Litigation Associate” in the subject line. Please note in your cover letter your trial experience and where in Texas you’re based. References will be requested of candidates who advance.
Smith Osburn Cross is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Requirements
- Active Texas bar license in good standing.
- (3–7) years of Texas civil litigation experience, including (at least one trial as first or second chair).
- Comfort running your own docket — you’ll have support, but not supervision over your shoulder.
- The self-discipline to work well remotely while staying genuinely connected to a small team.
- Willingness to travel within Texas for in-person court appearances, depositions, and mediations as cases require.
