Litigation Attorney – Plaintiff-Side (Founding Legal Hire)

Litigation Attorney – Plaintiff-Side (Founding Legal Hire)

Location: New York, NY (Onsite, 5 days per week)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: Up to $180,000 base salary, plus bonus and equity (0.1%–0.5%)

About the Opportunity

An early-stage, AI-powered legal technology company is seeking a Litigation Attorney with 2–4 years of experience to join its growing legal practice as a founding legal hire.

This opportunity is ideal for a strong, plaintiff-side litigator who is ready to take ownership of cases from start to finish, work directly with clients, and help build a litigation practice.

The environment is entrepreneurial, fast-moving, and highly autonomous. The ideal candidate is action-oriented, resourceful, comfortable working independently, and interested in using AI to improve legal practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently manage litigation matters from client intake and engagement through discovery, depositions, and settlement.

• Handle plaintiff-side litigation matters.

• Lead client-facing conversations, explain legal issues and strategies, and build strong client relationships.

• Develop case strategies and manage litigation proceedings.

• Use AI-powered litigation tools to support legal work and improve efficiency.

• Provide feedback on legal technology tools and collaborate with engineers to improve workflows and product features.

• Take ownership of unfamiliar legal challenges and independently develop solutions.

• Contribute to building and growing an early-stage litigation practice.

Required Qualifications

• 2–4 years of litigation experience, with strong litigation fundamentals.

• J.D. from an accredited law school.

• Active bar admission in at least one U.S. state other than Illinois. New York bar admission is preferred.

• Must be based in New York or willing to relocate and work onsite five days per week.

• Meaningful plaintiff-side litigation experience.

• Ability to independently manage litigation matters from beginning to end.

• Direct client-facing experience, including client intake, engagement discussions, or case strategy conversations.

• Strong client service skills and the ability to communicate legal matters clearly.

• Comfortable using AI tools in legal practice.

• Ability to work independently in an early-stage environment with broad ownership and limited structured support.

Work Authorization: Candidates must have U.S. work authorization that does not require visa sponsorship. Visa holders are not eligible for this opportunity.

Preferred Qualifications

• First-chair litigation experience.

• Experience leading or managing a deposition team.

• Experience with plaintiff employment, consumer protection, class action, or mass tort litigation.

• Experience at a plaintiff-side or boutique litigation firm.

• Background at an AmLaw 100/200 firm.

• J.D. from a T14/T20 law school.

• Experience at a startup, legal aid organization, or other nontraditional legal environment.

• Demonstrated interest in legal technology and AI-driven litigation workflows.

• A builder mindset and enthusiasm for helping establish and grow a legal practice.

Compensation

• Base salary up to $180,000, commensurate with experience and scope of responsibility.

• Bonus opportunity.

• Equity participation of 0.1%–0.5%.

This is an opportunity for a hands-on litigator who wants meaningful case ownership, direct client relationships, and the chance to help shape a growing legal practice while working with emerging AI technology.