An active California Bar license is required.
Tyson & Mendes is seeking an Associate Attorney with 2+ years of civil litigation experience to join our growing Orange County team in Costa Mesa.
If you have built a strong litigation foundation and are ready for more responsibility, this is an opportunity to take the next step. We are looking for attorneys who want to dive into their cases, solve problems, develop their judgment, and become increasingly independent litigators.
Insurance defense experience is preferred, but we are also interested in strong civil litigators who understand the litigation process and are ready to learn insurance defense.
Our Orange County attorneys handle a broad range of matters, including general liability, premises liability, personal injury, construction defect, medical malpractice, toxic and mass torts, employment, and other complex civil litigation.
Associates have opportunities to build experience across the litigation lifecycle, including discovery, depositions, motions, court appearances, case strategy, client and carrier communication, mediation, and trial preparation.
We want attorneys who are eager to take ownership.
You do not need to know everything on day one. You do need the initiative to dig in, think through the issue, propose a solution, and ask thoughtful questions when you need guidance.
The Orange County office is managed by Partner Michelle Campbell, a member of the firm’s Complex Trial Team and an experienced insurance defense litigator.
Michelle has served as first or second chair in multiple trials and has handled complex, high exposure matters from inception through trial. Her approach combines creative strategy, an aggressive defense, and close communication with clients throughout the litigation process.
The office also includes experienced partners, senior attorneys, mentors, and trial lawyers who are accessible and willing to help associates develop their skills.
It is an environment where you are encouraged to try, learn, ask questions, and keep growing.
We are looking for associates who want to become confident case handlers, not attorneys who want to wait to be told every next step.
The attorneys who thrive here are driven, curious, adaptable, and proactive. They understand the fundamentals of litigation, take initiative, communicate well, and want increasing responsibility.
At the same time, independence does not mean figuring everything out alone. Our Orange County attorneys value accessibility, timely feedback, and collaboration, particularly when associates are preparing for depositions, court appearances, or other important moments in a case.
Our Costa Mesa office offers flexibility while maintaining the connection of a local team.
Several of our experienced attorneys work hybrid schedules and spend time in the office throughout the week. Associates have the opportunity to work alongside senior attorneys in person, connect with colleagues, and take advantage of hands on learning while still enjoying flexibility.
We are looking for attorneys who have clear goals and the drive to reach them.
If you want to strengthen your litigation skills, take on greater case responsibility, learn from experienced attorneys, and build toward the next stage of your career, we would love to meet you.
Bring your foundation. Take ownership. Build your career with Tyson & Mendes Orange County.
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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.
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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Pay Range
$115,000—$160,000 USD
Tyson & Mendes’ goal is to achieve justice for all through innovation, collaboration, and outstanding service. Founded in 2002 by principal trial attorneys Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes, we are an AV-rated litigation firm of 250+ attorneys across the U.S. specializing in defending insurers, corporations, and insureds in civil litigation. Tyson & Mendes represents clients throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. Our attorneys also serve clients in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.
We have handled some of the most contentious cases that have helped define insurance defense litigation and have earned a reputation for targeting the threat of and stopping Nuclear Verdicts® – runaway jury verdicts exceeding $10 million.
Our trial-only subsidiary, TM HALO®, is wholly dedicated to stemming the tide of Nuclear Verdicts®. Comprised of elite Tyson & Mendes defense attorneys with decades of courtroom experience, TM HALO® lawyers parachute in to manage the thorniest, highest-stakes cases.
We ensure our attorneys have the tools to achieve exceptional results and protect clients from excessive jury awards. Through programs like TM University and the Tyson & Mendes Trial Academy, our attorneys receive deep training on proven defense methods outlined in Founding Partner Robert Tyson’s best-selling book, "Nuclear Verdicts®: Defending Justice for All."
Our newest strategy, The Apex, builds on 20+ years of courtroom success and data from 100 Nuclear Verdicts®. Launched in 2025, it is a trial-proven framework to help defense teams recognize and break patterns in high-stakes litigation. The strategy is detailed in our forthcoming book, "Nuclear Verdicts®: The Apex – Break the Pattern," by Founding Partner Robert Tyson and National Managing Partner Cayce Lynch.
