Litigation Associate Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Wilhite and Associates Law Firm, P.C. is a targeted, niche law firm representing the professionally managed or owned multi-family housing industry. We are seeking a Associate Litigation Attorney.

The firm is collaborative, including encouraging routinely communicating, brainstorming, and seeking guidance from others. In the context of a long tradition of a successful law firm, you’ll be on the front line. You’ll feel the self-satisfaction of clients appreciating what you’ve done for them, your hard work and commitment to their matter and of course, your results. After a period of teaching and development the Associate Litigation Attorney will be responsible for their own matters.

The firm is litigation-centered, plaintiff and defendant, in both Courts and administrative forums. Fair Housing is the firm’s niche within its niche, both educating and best practices limiting risks pre-litigation and substantial Fair Housing discrimination defense litigation.

The firm’s motto is that we “Play To Win.” The firm’s “Play To Win” brand is not just some marketing idea. It is in fact the instinctive culture of the firm. We represent demanding sophisticated clients who expect us to litigate aggressively, often in complex challenging matters. We take the cards dealt and find a way to win with them. We don’t give up. We don’t accept “No”, “It can’t be done”, or “That’s never happened before” as answers. We are creative. Everything we do has a purpose as part of a conscious strategic plan. We have the will not only to win, but also the will to prepare to win. Yes, just like the famous Apollo 13 line, our attitude is failure is simply not an option. We Play To Win !

Responsibilities:

· Support all phases of litigation and pre-litigation, from initial investigation through representation at trial.

· Conduct factual investigations, including document review, evidence development, and witness interviews

· Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests/responses, and other legal documents

· Perform legal research on statutes, regulations, case law, and procedural rules to support case strategy

· Communicate with clients, witnesses, courts, and opposing counsel on case developments and strategic issues

· Guide clients on practices that help avoid litigation and minimize liability risks

· Prepare for trials, including organizing exhibits, preparing witnesses, and coordinating subpoenas and evidence

The firm provides significant litigation training and development. The firm’s owner and founder, Jeff Wilhite, has always been a civil litigator (for four decades), including three decades in the multi-family housing industry niche. Jeff has substantial bench and jury trial experience. Jeff is by background (and nature) a trial attorney. The initial training process includes a thorough collection of materials to organize teaching and exposure to systems and firm concepts. The structured on-boarding and training process covers everything from the “big pictures,” to policies, and even goes as far as how to make photocopies. Professional training of course includes written materials such as outlines and resources. But more importantly, development includes one-on-one training with Jeff (often at a dry erase board) on concepts, strategies, and techniques. CLE can be in whatever areas the attorney wants but often geared towards litigation and Fair Housing.

Depending on the previous experience of the incoming associate, the firm will early on give the attorney exposure to hearings (and mediations, depositions, settlement conferences), first observing, but as early as possible, sharing the representation. Again, as early as possible (and comfortable) taking the lead with Jeff, the owner attorney present, then appearing without Jeff. Though the firm’s goal is to cause the attorney to appear alone as early as possible, that is not to be done with fear that the associate attorney is not fully prepared and supported.

Qualifications:

· Minimum 3 years of experience

· J.D. from an accredited law school

· Active license in Indiana, required. Active license in Kentucky / Illinois is preferred

· Strong litigation and negotiation skills

· Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

· Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines

· Client-service mindset and ability to build lasting relationships with managing agents and property owners

Company DescriptionWe are a targeted, unique boutique law firm representing the multi-family housing (apartment) industry with all sorts of wide-ranging cases. Our focus is litigation and adversarial matters in both Courts and administrative forums, from major Fair Housing discrimination defense and litigation to evictions. The firm’s non-litigation matters are also limited to the multi-family housing industry. For more on the firm, view the “Join Our Team” page of our website www.wilhiteassoc.com. We also have an exciting online and live national training company (www.playtowinseminars.com) for the apartment industry. Our founder has practiced law since 1984 and started this law firm three decades ago in 1994. Even with decades of stable substantial growth with major clients, the firm remains its traditional small, nimble, aggressive law firm. Our hub is an upscale, contemporary professional office in Carmel, a few blocks from City Center. We prefer applicants with short commutes like near Hamilton County. Our culture is to “Play To Win” and “Failure is not an Option”. Vince Lombardi said “winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is” – exactly! Only Lombardi’s will fit well on our team – which we think is very fun!

Company Description

We are a targeted, unique boutique law firm representing the multi-family housing (apartment) industry with all sorts of wide-ranging cases. Our focus is litigation and adversarial matters in both Courts and administrative forums, from major Fair Housing discrimination defense and litigation to evictions. The firm’s non-litigation matters are also limited to the multi-family housing industry. For more on the firm, view the “Join Our Team” page of our website www.wilhiteassoc.com. We also have an exciting online and live national training company (www.playtowinseminars.com) for the apartment industry. Our founder has practiced law since 1984 and started this law firm three decades ago in 1994. Even with decades of stable substantial growth with major clients, the firm remains its traditional small, nimble, aggressive law firm. Our hub is an upscale, contemporary professional office in Carmel, a few blocks from City Center. We prefer applicants with short commutes like near Hamilton County. Our culture is to “Play To Win” and “Failure is not an Option”. Vince Lombardi said “winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is” – exactly! Only Lombardi’s will fit well on our team – which we think is very fun!