Overview
This full-time Associate Attorney position involves handling litigation and cases of intermediate-level exposure and complexity where the insured or the organization is a defendant. After completing in-office training, the role requires reporting to an office 1-2 times per month. The position reports to a Supervising Practice Leader and operates under moderate supervision.
Responsibilities
- Review and analyze files, insurance policies, allegations, and relevant medical and technical data.
- Consult with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities.
- Prepare responses to civil complaints and file appropriate motions when legal or liability issues arise.
- Determine feasibility of including third-party defendants in pending suits.
- Select legal investigators and arrange service of subpoenas and summonses.
- File additional motions as warranted by case facts and timing.
- Conduct discovery depositions and formulate interrogatories.
- Conduct examinations under oath under moderate supervision.
- Analyze discovery information and determine settlement appropriateness within authority and company guidelines.
- Prepare cases for trial, develop trial strategies, and participate in jury selection.
- Prepare and submit pre-trial statements; attend pre-trial hearings.
- Defend cases in court, including opening statements, witness examination, motions, and closing arguments.
- Prepare trial briefs including defense, applicable law, and jury instructions.
- Prepare mediation summaries and advocate defendant’s case before mediation tribunals.
- Evaluate mediation awards and decide on acceptance or trial within authority.
- Prepare uninsured motorist cases for arbitration hearings and present cases before arbitration tribunals.
- Keep clients informed of case status and consult with third-party clients regarding litigation impact.
- Advise insured parties and refer to independent counsel when necessary to protect assets.
- Coordinate trial or settlement activities with co-counsel as needed.
- Apply cost/benefit considerations to litigation activities in consultation with supervisors.
- Negotiate reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of the organization and insured.
- Consult with senior attorneys on complex cases and recommend appeals based on case facts.
- Prepare memorandums and present cases to Appeals or Executive Committees.
- With approval, provide legal advice and opinions to branch claim personnel.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Required Qualifications
Education and Licensing
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
- Membership in the State Bar of the applicable state.
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of litigation experience as a licensed attorney.
Knowledge
- Civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
- Legal research principles, methods, and practices.
- Discovery methods and techniques.
- Mediation rules, procedures, and summaries.
- Tort liability law, including theories of recovery and defenses.
- Insurance law, including Uniform Trade Practices Law and bad faith actions.
- Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation.
- Michigan Court Rules and motion practice.
- Standard and non-standard jury instructions drafting.
- Professional ethics related to house counsel and insured relationships.
- Deposition techniques.
Abilities
- Effective communication with attorneys, court officers, the public, and others.
- Analyze, organize, and present facts and evidence effectively in written and oral forms.
- Utilize office computer software including claims litigation management systems.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience
- Trial experience.
- Experience in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation.
Knowledge
- Claims procedures and branch organizations.
- Michigan No Fault law and significant current case law.
Skills
- Maintain library budget and research using index systems, brief banks, and intradepartmental statistics.
Compensation and Benefits
- Annual salary range: $95,000 - $115,000, with annual bonus potential based on performance.
- Comprehensive benefits package including:
- 401(k) match
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Environment
- Primarily remote work from a home office for day-to-day operations.
- Occasional travel for meetings, collaboration, or team-building activities as required.
- Work location and arrangements subject to change based on organizational policies.
Additional Information
- Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified applicants to perform essential job functions.
- Regular and reliable attendance is essential.
- Employment contingent upon successful background and drug screening.
Location
- Position requires membership in the State Bar of the applicable state.
- Work location primarily remote with occasional office visits as specified.