Overview
This role involves serving as a Senior Trial Attorney focused on bodily injury (BI) and liability insurance defense litigation. The position includes managing fast-paced trials, arbitrations, and mediations, providing strategic legal counsel to claims partners and business clients, and collaborating with legal colleagues. The attorney will handle complex injury matters and stay current on evolving laws and litigation trends affecting liability defense.
Responsibilities
- Represent insured individuals and the organization in defending bodily injury and third-party liability cases, including complex and high-exposure matters.
- Manage all litigation phases: case evaluation, discovery, depositions, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and trials.
- Prepare and present pleadings, motions, and pre-trial and post-trial submissions related to liability defense.
- Conduct depositions of plaintiffs, defendants, fact witnesses, and experts; prepare witnesses for testimony.
- Appear in court as required and coordinate litigation activities with courts, opposing counsel, clients, and internal partners throughout the Chicagoland area.
- Evaluate liability, damages, and injury exposure; provide strategic recommendations on settlement, mediation, and trial posture.
- Provide day-to-day legal advice and guidance to claims professionals and business stakeholders on litigation strategy and risk.
- Collaborate with legal colleagues to manage workflows, resolve scheduling conflicts, and ensure effective case progression.
- Monitor developments in bodily injury, auto liability, and premises liability law; advise on legal and regulatory impacts to the business.
Requirements
- Minimum 4 years of litigation experience with a strong emphasis on bodily injury or insurance defense matters.
- Preferred experience as first or second chair in jury trials involving bodily injury cases.
- Demonstrated experience handling auto liability and bodily injury claims from inception through resolution.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with LexisNexis and electronic filing systems preferred.
- Strong collaboration skills, working effectively with attorneys, paralegals, claims professionals, and administrative staff.
- Ability to manage a substantial bodily injury caseload in a fast-paced litigation environment.
- Must reside within a commutable distance to courts throughout downtown Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area, including surrounding counties and neighboring jurisdictions.
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
- Active membership in good standing with the Illinois State Bar.
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual salary range: $90,700.00 - $153,925.00, based on experience and qualifications.
- This position is bonus eligible.
- Background investigation required for candidates offered the position.
- The role offers a predictable schedule and flexibility through in-house litigation.
- Opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and career advancement within the legal organization.
- Exposure to diverse liability defense matters and strategic influence on litigation and risk management.
Location
- Position requires presence in the Chicagoland area with court appearances throughout downtown Chicago and surrounding jurisdictions.
This opportunity is for a legal professional seeking to advance their litigation career in a dynamic, trial-driven environment focused on insurance defense.