Senior Defense Attorney

Job Description

Senior Defense Attorney - High-Exposure Litigation

Some defense roles are about moving files. This one is about owning the case when the stakes are real.

My client is a nationally recognized AM 200 law firm handling some of the most visible and emotionally charged defense matters in the country. They represent ONE marquee national client-a household-name corporate security services company-and are building a senior-level role around judgment, credibility, and leadership.

This attorney will serve as the primary Northern California point person, trusted to step into matters that attract media attention, demand discretion, and require more than motion practice.

What You'll Be Trusted With

• Direct ownership of high-exposure litigation involving:
  Premise Liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injury...
• Acting as lead strategist and advisor to one sophisticated national client
• Making real-time judgment calls when the playbook doesn't exist
• Handling matters that may be public, sensitive, and closely watched
• Potential oversight and mentoring of other attorneys or teams nationally

The Experience That Matters

This role is about substance, not optics.

The right background includes:

• 8+ years of California insurance defense litigation experience (not just bar admission)
• Meaningful involvement in high-stakes cases-even if your trial role was second-chair, as long as it was real
• Comfort stepping into matters mid-stream and taking control with minimal hand-holding
• Experience being the face of a case when clients, carriers, or the media are paying attention

Adjacent experience is welcome, including:

• Premises liability
• Negligent security
• Catastrophic loss
• Transportation / trucking defense
• Injury-heavy construction defect
• Hospitality liability

Why This Role Is Different

• One major national client instead of juggling dozens
• Emphasis on judgment, leadership, and trust, not volume
• Flexible work structure: remote, hybrid, or in-office
• Occasional meetings in the firm's downtown San Francisco office
• Clear visibility and internal importance-this is a priority hire

Interested?

If you're the kind of defense attorney who stays calm when cases get loud-and wants responsibility, not bureaucracy-this role is worth a confidential conversation.

All inquiries are CONFIDENTIAL.
For more information, contact Paul Pankratz at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990.

We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.