Litigation Associate

Litigation Associate | Tampa, FL | $125,000 to $200,000 | Construction Defect
Salary conversations at most firms happen once a year and last about four minutes.
You get a number, a handshake and a vague comment about next year. Nobody explains how the number was reached or what would change it. For a construction defect lawyer handling expert heavy, multiparty files, that's a strange way to value some of the most technical work in insurance defense.
This one starts differently. There's a range of $125,000 to $200,000 on the table, broad for a reason: the insurance defense firm I'm hiring for in Tampa will look at a 2nd year and a counsel level lawyer with equal interest, and pay each properly for what they bring. I'm Ryan Jaiswal at Distinct Recruitment, recruiting on their behalf.
The role• Construction defect defense for general contractors, subcontractors, developers and design professionals• Residential and commercial claims across the Tampa Bay area and beyond• Expert management, site inspections and multiparty discovery• Tender, indemnity and additional insured issues between the parties• Depositions, mediations and trial preparation on files you run
The requirements• Florida Bar membership• 2+ years of litigation experience; construction defect is a bonus, not a requirement• An organised mind. Twelve parties and six experts need someone who can keep the whole picture straight
The working week• Office, hybrid or remote working, and the choice is yours• 1,900 billable hours
The progression• I'll walk you through how reviews and progression work there, so the next salary conversation isn't four minutes long• Clear expectations about what moves you up the range, and what the next step after that looks like
Why construction defect pays offConstruction defect is technical, detailed and often underrated, which is exactly why lawyers who master it become so valuable. Carriers need people who can manage complex files efficiently, and they remember the ones who do. The earlier you build that expertise, the stronger your position every time pay comes up.
What I'll tell you up front• How the Tampa team handles construction defect files and who you'd work alongside• Where your experience is likely to land in the range• What the firm is looking for at interview, so there are no surprises
I'm Ryan Jaiswal at Distinct Recruitment. To ask questions before applying, call me on or connect with Ryan Jaiswal on LinkedIn. If you've already applied and want to go through your application, or you're simply not ready yet, book time in my calendar