Overview
This role is responsible for independent, litigation-focused legal work supporting the defense of insured individuals and the organization in Western Michigan. As a Senior Trial Attorney, you will manage an active docket involving bodily injury, auto liability, and premises liability matters, with frequent court advocacy and case proceedings including mediations, motion practice, depositions, and occasional trials.
Responsibilities
- Defend insured individuals and the organization in lawsuits involving bodily injury, auto liability, and premises liability, including Personal Injury Protection, dog bite, and slip-and-fall matters.
- Independently manage an active litigation caseload with a strong emphasis on motion practice and court advocacy.
- Prepare for and conduct hearings, mediations, arbitrations, depositions, and occasional trials.
- Draft and argue pretrial and posttrial motions and other substantive legal pleadings.
- Appear before the court frequently.
- Provide practical, day-to-day legal counsel to internal business partners and claims professionals.
- Collaborate effectively with paralegals, administrative staff, and leadership while operating largely independently as the sole attorney supporting the region.
- Stay current on applicable Michigan statutes, regulations, and case law; evaluate legal developments and advise on their impact to claims and business teams.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate (JD).
- Active membership in good standing with the Michigan State Bar required.
- 5+ years of Michigan litigation experience with demonstrated ability to independently manage cases from inception through resolution.
- Proven courtroom advocacy skills, including comfort appearing before courts on a regular basis.
- Solid experience with depositions, motion practice, and litigation strategy development.
- Ability to manage a litigation-focused caseload with minimal supervision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, legal research platforms (LexisNexis preferred), and virtual court technology.
- Comfortable working in a fully remote environment while supporting courts in Western Michigan.
- Willingness to travel occasionally within Michigan.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong background in insurance defense, bodily injury, auto liability, or premises liability matters.
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual compensation: $90,700.00 - $153,925.00 (based on experience and qualifications).
- Bonus eligible position.
- Technology setup provided, including a laptop, monitors, headset, keyboard, and mouse.
- Employees eligible to work from home receive a monthly connectivity reimbursement to help offset internet costs.
- When working from home, a dedicated, private workspace free from distractions is required, along with appropriate desk and seating.
- Reliable internet is required, with minimum speeds of 50 MB download and 5 MB upload.
Location
- Supports the Grand Rapids, MI region and surrounding counties (Kent, Barry, Allegan, Muskegon). Candidates must reside within reasonable proximity to the region.
- Candidates could reside in the Detroit metro as long as available to attend in-person court appearances in western Michigan.
Additional Information
- Background investigation required.
- Generally does not sponsor individuals for employment-based visas for this position.
- Effective July 1, 2014, under Indiana House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1242, it is against public policy of the State of Indiana and a discriminatory practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component.
Required Interview Support (if applicable)
- For virtual interviews, candidates are asked to join with a camera on and have a valid photo identification available at the start of the interview.
- Internal candidates are only asked to join on video; a valid photo identification is not needed for the interview.