Associate Attorney (Insurance Coverage)

Associate Attorney (Insurance Coverage) 

A Rare Seat for a Litigator Who Wants More Variety 

If you’re a Washington attorney with 3–5 years of experience and you’ve worked with UIM matters, first-party claims, or coverage issues, this is an opportunity to build a broader litigation practice without giving up the sophistication of insurance work. 

Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office is busy, growing, and intentionally close-knit. The team has the feel of a boutique practice: accessible leadership, real collaboration, and meaningful responsibility; while giving you the resources, technology, training, and infrastructure of a national litigation firm. 

This role is especially unique because you won’t be placed into a narrow practice lane. 

You’ll work alongside Partner David Heemann, whose practice spans insurance coverage, bad faith, claims management, general liability, auto liability, construction defect, and other complex insurance matters. David brings more than 20 years of experience, including significant in-house coverage counsel experience, and has advised on matters with exposures exceeding $100 million. 

For an attorney who wants to become a stronger, more versatile insurance litigator, this is a compelling place to do it. 

 

More Than Routine Auto Defense 

Approximately 10% of the practice will involve first-party and coverage-related work, with the remainder consisting of a diverse mix of tort litigation, including: 

• Auto and UIM matters
• Premises liability
• Products liability
• Construction-related litigation
• Complex bodily injury claims
• Insurance coverage and first-party bad faith exposure
• High-value and unusual matters involving sophisticated liability issues 

The variety is a major differentiator. 

You won’t spend your career handling the same type of case over and over. The team regularly works on matters involving complex legal issues, significant injuries, and unique clients; including litigation in which David has been appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General to defend the State of Washington. 

That breadth of work is difficult to find at many traditional insurance defense firms. 

Learn From a True Insurance Coverage Resource 

David’s background offers something particularly valuable for an attorney interested in developing deeper insurance knowledge. 

Before joining Tyson & Mendes, he served as Claims Coverage Counsel for Mutual of Enumclaw and has extensive experience with coverage opinions, claims management, policy drafting, bad faith litigation, regulatory issues, and complex insurance disputes. 

You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with an experienced partner while still having room to develop your own judgment, manage cases, and take meaningful ownership of your practice. 

This is mentorship without micromanagement. 

Boutique Connection. National Resources. 

Our Seattle office offers the relationships and visibility of a smaller team without the limitations of a small firm. 

You’ll have access to: 

• A national network of experienced litigators
• Firmwide training and professional development
• Our Trial Academy and litigation methodologies
• Advanced technology and AI-enabled legal resources
• Sophisticated case-management and billing tools
• Cross-office collaboration and subject-matter expertise
• Opportunities to grow alongside an expanding Seattle practice 

You can be known by your team, learn directly from experienced partners, and make a visible impact—while still having a national platform behind you. 

Who Will Thrive Here 

We’re looking for an attorney who has built a solid litigation foundation and is ready for more variety, responsibility, and growth. 

The strongest candidate will have approximately 3–5 years of Washington litigation experience, ideally including Washington UIM matters and some exposure to first-party bad faith or insurance coverage. 

You should enjoy managing cases, working through complicated legal issues, communicating with clients, taking depositions, writing and arguing motions, and continuing to develop as a well-rounded litigator. 

Most importantly, you should be curious. 

If you want to understand why coverage works the way it does, handle meaningful liability matters, and become the attorney clients trust with complicated problems, this team can give you that runway. 

Build a Practice, Not Just a Caseload 

At Tyson & Mendes, we’re looking for attorneys who want to become exceptional at what they do. 

If you’re ready for a role that offers complex work, accessible mentorship, meaningful responsibility, modern resources, and a genuinely connected Seattle team, we’d like to meet you. 

Bring your litigation experience. We’ll help you broaden what you can do with it. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Develop compelling case strategies that cut through emotional arguments and drive results
• Set a higher standard—challenge mediocrity and push for excellence in every aspect of your work
• Independently manage court appearances, depositions, motion practice, and trials
• Collaborate seamlessly with attorneys and staff at all experience levels
• Maintain consistent and professional communication with clients
• Build and nurture relationships with existing and prospective clients
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior attorneys, contributing to team growth and success  

  

REQUIREMENTS  

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active bar license in the state of Washington
• 3+ years of experience in insurance defense
• 3–5 years of litigation experience, including experience handling Washington UIM matters and exposure to first-party bad faith claims.
• 1–8 years of solid litigation experience, including case strategy, depositions, and trial preparation
• Ability to independently manage a full caseload, from discovery through trial
• Familiarity with litigation timekeeping and billing systems
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Self-motivated with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
• Professional appearance and demeanor  

 

COMPENSATION PACKAGE 

• The base salary for this position ranges from $100,000-145,000 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.  

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS/EMPLOYEES OF TYSON & MENDES: Please take notice that the Firm collects certain information about you. For more information on the Firm’s policies, please refer to the document provided here.  

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