Description
About the Firm
Our practice spans two interconnected departments: an Administrative team handling zoning and land use entitlements before local boards and code enforcement bodies, and a Litigation team that takes the fight into state and federal court when property and constitutional rights are on the line. We litigate inverse condemnation claims, First Amendment challenges to municipal ordinances, class-of-one equal protection cases arising from selective code enforcement, and complementary commercial or property disputes.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a Senior Associate who can step in as the lead lawyer on complex civil rights and property rights cases from intake through trial. This is not a back-bench role. You will own your docket, drive strategy, appear in court, and be the face of the firm to sophisticated clients who expect both legal excellence and relationship management at the highest level. The right candidate is a trial-ready litigator who thinks several moves ahead, writes persuasively, and can translate constitutional doctrine into a winning narrative for a judge or jury.
What You Will Do
Serve as primary lead attorney on complex litigation matters in Florida state and federal court, owning the case from pleadings through trial and appeal.
- Develop and execute case strategy with an eye toward best positioning each matter for trial and appeal, anticipating defense theories and Eleventh Circuit precedent.
- Litigate civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, including inverse condemnation, First Amendment challenges to sound and other municipal ordinances, and class-of-one equal protection claims arising from selective code enforcement.
- Draft and argue dispositive motions, including motions to dismiss, summary judgment, qualified immunity briefing, and post-trial motions.
- Take and defend depositions of public officials, code enforcement officers, expert witnesses, and clients; lead complex discovery and electronic discovery efforts.
- Conduct evidentiary hearings and bench and jury trials, first chair when matters are within your experience.
- Coordinate with the firm's Administrative practice on cases that originate in the zoning and land use process and migrate into litigation.
- Serve as primary client contact: set expectations, communicate proactively, manage decision points, and counsel sophisticated property owners and businesses through high-stakes matters.
- Mentor junior associates and paralegals; review and improve their work product.
Why Abrams Law Firm
- Meaningful cases. You will litigate constitutional questions that affect real people and business owners.
- True ownership. Our model is built around senior associates who run their own dockets, set their own strategy, and present at trial.
- A defined path. We are a growing boutique with a clear runway for advancement for attorneys who deliver results and build client relationships.
- Collegial, high-standards culture. We work hard, hold each other to high standards, and respect each other's lives outside the firm.
Compensation & Benefits
We invest in attorneys who invest in our clients. Compensation and benefits include:
- Base salary of $120,000 to $180,000, commensurate with experience and credentials.
- Health insurance for the attorney.
- Retirement plan with employer salary match.
- Paid vacation and firm holidays.
- CLE, bar dues, and professional development support.
- Modern Fort Lauderdale office with collaborative workspace.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, a representative writing sample (brief or motion you authored), and three professional references to tatiana@abrams-law.com. Reference "Senior Associate – Litigation" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a target start date within 60 days.
If you are a credentialed litigator who wants meaningful cases, real autonomy, and the chance to shape constitutional and property rights law in Florida and beyond, we would like to meet you.
Abrams Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Requirements
- Florida Bar admission in good standing; admission to the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida (or willingness to obtain promptly).
- A minimum of 5 years of substantive civil litigation experience, with demonstrable autonomy on your matters.
- First or second chair experience in at least one trial (jury or bench) carried through verdict.
- Active state court and federal court experience, including motion practice, discovery, and hearings in both forums.
- Excellent academic credentials and a strong, demonstrable track record: appellate opinions, reported decisions, published wins, recognitions, or representative matters you can speak to.
- Demonstrated ability to run cases independently, without day-to-day partner oversight, while exercising sound judgment about when to escalate.
- Top-notch interpersonal and client-relations skills, the kind of attorney clients ask for by name and refer their friends to.
- Outstanding legal writing and oral advocacy. We will ask for a writing sample you personally authored.
- Familiarity with constitutional litigation, takings jurisprudence, and qualified immunity is strongly preferred.
- Prior experience with land use, zoning, or local government practice is a plus, but not required if litigation credentials are strong.
