TRIAL ATTORNEY / LEAD LITIGATOR

Business, Real Estate & Fiduciary Litigation | First-Chair Experience Required The Firm There are no cookie cutters in great law; no molds, no ruts, no rubber stamps. At the Law Offices of Shann M. Chaudhry, Esq., we embrace the personal, the brave, and the avant-garde. We accentuate the uniqueness in ourselves so that we can appreciate the uniqueness of our clients. That is when law gets good. When we can loosen our tie or let down our hair, we open the door to meaningful conversations, honest relationships, and well-crafted solutions uniquely suited to each client. Who We Are All our team members are "A-Players" and high achievers with incredible work ethics, a sense of community, responsibility, and personal accountability. We provide our clients with the highest level of customer service and pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. This requires us to bring our best selves to work every day; by everyone giving their best performance every day, we achieve both excellence and work-life balance. Our core values are Authenticity, Empathy, Gratitude, Education, and Service. Are You Tired of Big Law? Do you view yourself as an A-Team player, but are you tired of unattainable billable hour requirements? Do you want to try complex, meaningful cases in a boutique firm setting with actual work-life balance, and be rewarded for the business you bring? Do you want to help people while maintaining healthy boundaries? If this resonates with you, we may have a spot for you on our "A-Team." What We Are Looking For We are seeking an exceptional Trial Attorney to lead the firm's litigation practice. This role is built for an experienced litigator who combines courtroom excellence with disciplined writing and collaborative leadership, and who is ready to step away from the big law grind while continuing to handle sophisticated, complex matters. You will lead a docket of business, real estate, and fiduciary disputes, set litigation strategy across the firm, mentor our junior litigator, and grow the practice through your own relationships and reputation. Experience Requirements 7+ years of civil litigation experience in a boutique, mid-size, or large firm setting Pre-litigation experience required: demand letters, pre-suit negotiation, early case assessment, and resolving disputes before a petition is filed First-chair trial experience required; you are comfortable and confident in front of a judge and a jury and know the Texas Rules of Evidence cold Proven track record managing cases from inception through trial and, where necessary, appeal Federal court experience strongly preferred Experience mentoring junior attorneys and directing paralegals and support staff Strong legal research and writing skills; a dispositive motion or brief will be requested as a writing sample Attorneys with less trial experience, or whose litigation experience is concentrated in other verticals such as criminal, family, or personal injury, will be considered if they otherwise fit this role. A candidate hired on that basis may start at a reduced salary or on a step-up salary plan designed to reach the full salary level for the position within the first 180 days of employment, based on defined performance milestones. Practice Areas Our litigation practice is primarily business, real estate, and fiduciary litigation: Business and partnership litigation Real estate litigation, including seller disclosure, construction defect, and title disputes Contested probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation Contract and commercial disputes Injunctive relief and emergency proceedings Mediation and arbitration You Are A high-achieving self-starter who consistently exceeds goals and expectations without burning out Someone who takes ownership and shows initiative, but also knows when to collaborate A natural problem-solver who anticipates issues before they arise Highly organized with strong attention to detail A relationship builder who genuinely values client service and is comfortable representing the firm in the community Coachable and receptive to feedback Trustworthy, with an unwavering respect for confidentiality A trial lawyer who wins with preparation, precision, and credibility rather than volume A team leader who elevates those around you through mentorship and example Results-driven, with a track record of favorable outcomes, both at the courthouse and at the mediation table Core Responsibilities Pre-Litigation & Dispute Resolution Draft demand letters, cease-and-desist letters, and pre-suit correspondence that position the matter for resolution or for suit Manage the pre-litigation phase of each dispute, including early case assessment, evidence preservation, pre-suit negotiation, and informal or formal mediation Advise clients on the cost, timing, and likely outcomes of resolving a dispute before filing versus proceeding to litigation Litigation & Trial Practice Independently manage a docket of complex litigation matters from start to finish Develop case strategy, theory, and budget in collaboration with clients and the firm Draft and supervise motions, pleadings, discovery, and briefing Conduct depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials in state and federal courts Own docket control, deadlines, and communications with courts and opposing counsel Practice Leadership Set litigation standards and best practices for the firm, including pleading quality, discovery discipline, and trial preparation Mentor and supervise the firm's junior litigator and litigation support staff Serve as the firm's internal resource on contested matters arising within the Business, Estates & Trusts, and Real Estate verticals Client Relations Serve as the primary attorney contact for your matters Make difficult legal concepts understandable and relatable Provide realistic assessments of options, risks, cost, and likely outcomes Communicate regularly with clients regarding status and next steps Business Development Maintain and grow your existing client relationships and originate new litigation matters for the firm Participate in networking, speaking, and community involvement in the San Antonio and Austin markets Collaborate with other attorneys on cross-referral opportunities across our Business, Estates & Trusts, and Real Estate verticals Contribute to the firm's marketing and thought leadership initiatives Team Collaboration Work closely with paralegals and legal assistants to keep matters moving efficiently Communicate proactively with firm leadership on status, strategy, and workload Participate in firm meetings, case strategy discussions, and firm-wide initiatives Adhere to firm policies, including attendance, billing, and electronic communication guidelines You'll Need Technical Expertise Active Texas law license in good standing Command of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, and Rules of Appellate Procedure Excellent oral advocacy and the judgment to know when to object and when to let it go Ability to think creatively about case strategy and resolution

Technology Proficiency Mandatory:

Windows, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), calendaring and billing software

Preferred:

Smokeball, LawMatics, electronic filing systems (eFileTexas) Preferred, Not Required Established book of business; we provide the infrastructure and support so you can keep what you have built Board Certification in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Bilingual in English and Spanish Compensation & Benefits Base salary: $140,000 to $200,000, with additional upside for a portable book of business, set by your approved hourly rate and experience.

Realistic billable target:

six billable hours per available workday 1,300 billable hours minimum; 1,380 hours goal Production bonus per billable hour above target, calculated monthly and paid quarterly Origination bonus of 10% of collected fees on every matter you bring to the firm, for the life of the matter Annual attainment bonus for meeting your billable and origination goals Health, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance 401(k) with employer matching Paid time off, plus 15 paid holidays CLE support and professional development Career Path Titles at the firm track experience and contribution, not just tenure:

Attorney Senior Attorney:

five or more years of practice experience

Senior Counsel:

ten or more years of practice experience

Non-Equity Partner:

sustained production and origination over consecutive years; participates in the firm's profit-sharing program

Position Details Job Type:

Full-time Location:

San Antonio, Texas, hybrid. Work-from-home is available to attorneys who demonstrate they can self-manage their docket and their time; in-office for hearings, client meetings, signings, and weekly team days. Matters throughout

Central and South Texas Schedule:

Standard business hours, with trial and hearing flexibility as needed Required Licensure Texas Law License (Required) We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our firm. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$140,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person