Mass Tort Trial Fellowship

Apply Your Trial Skills to the Nation's Most Significant Trial Docket. You’ve spent years in the well of the court. You’ve picked juries, handled hostile experts, and lived through the pressure of a "must-win" verdict. Whether you are coming from the DOJ, an AUSA’s office, a Public Defender’s office, a State AG’s team, or a personal injury trial firm, you have the skills. Now, it’s time to apply them to a different kind of fight.

Edelson PC is seeking experienced trial attorneys for a unique 18-month Trial Fellowship. This isn't a traditional fellowship; it is a high-level pivot for proven advocates who want to master the world of complex mass torts by doing what they do best: trying cases.

While most trial fellowships involve years of "discovery-land" before a single bellwether, Edelson is in the heat of the PacifiCorp Wildfire Litigation. This is a historic, closely watched battle with a relentless schedule that will give you the opportunity to serve as the first-chair or second-chair attorney in high-stakes jury trials.

We are currently averaging one major trial per week on behalf of wildfire survivors. Next year, that pace is set to double to two trials per week.

These are not small personal injury claims. These are hotly contested, trials against sophisticated corporate defendants. The average verdict exceeds $50 million, a recent verdict exceeded $300 million, and overall there are billions of dollars at stake.

You won’t be "assisting" from the back table. You will be an integral part of the trial rotation, using your existing courtroom instincts to advocate for thousands of individuals whose lives were devastated by environmental catastrophe.

The Case: James v. PacifiCorp

Over Labor Day weekend in 2020, wildfires tore through Oregon communities, destroying the homes, businesses, and livelihoods of thousands. PacifiCorp—one of the largest utility companies in the country—had been warned about the dangerous weather conditions. They kept the power on anyway. We filed suit on behalf of over 1,500 clients, and in 2023, after years of litigation, James v. PacifiCorp became the first known jury verdict holding a utility provider accountable for a wildfire. The first jury awarded $73 million to 17 plaintiffs. Since that first trial, we have had more than 15 trials, securing over $1 billion in total verdicts and judgments for approximately 170 clients—more than $7 million per person on average. Dozens more trials are scheduled in 2026, and nearly 100 in 2027.

This is the trial docket that fellows are walking into.

This is not a support role. Fellows are integrated into the trial team as practicing attorneys, with full responsibility for their cases and their clients. Fellows can expect:

Trial Participation: Six trials annually, with speaking roles beginning in year one
Depositions: Both taking and defending
Motion Practice: Arguing their own motions
Jury Selection: Including attorney-conducted voir dire
Courtroom Advocacy: Opening statements, closing arguments, and cross-examination of witnesses
Strategy: Full trial team membership—fellows are in the room for case strategy, not just execution
Client Work: Direct client relationships from day one
Mentorship: Working directly with Nick Rosinia, Chair of our Trial Group

Who We Are Looking For

We are specifically looking for attorneys with substantial "stand-up" trial experience who are ready to transition into the plaintiffs' bar. This fellowship is designed for:

Former Prosecutors & AUSAs: Who miss the courtroom but want to pursue corporate accountability.
Public Defenders: Who have the "in the trenches" grit and want to apply it to large-scale litigation.
AG Trial Attorneys: Who understand complex investigative work and want to see it through to a jury verdict.
Personal Injury Trial Attorneys: Who know the value of a strong client bond and want to scale those skills.

Compensation & Benefits

Fellows earn $225,000 annually. Discretionary bonuses may also be awarded.
Fellows also receive a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) with employer match; health savings and flexible spending accounts; life and disability coverage; paid time off and parental leave; an employee assistance program; and commuter benefits.

Why Edelson PC?

Edelson is a nationally recognized leader in high-stakes litigation, known for a culture that prizes aggression, innovation, and a refusal to follow the "big law" playbook. We provide the infrastructure of a powerhouse firm with the agility and spirit of a trial boutique.