Job Description
Exempt/Non Exempt:
Salary
This is a hybrid position reporting to our Mt. Clemens office 2 days a week.
- Analyzes, files, reviews all allegations, and renders legal opinions to Claims personnel regarding evaluation and disposition of injury cases.
- Prepares responses to civil complaints, files and answers any appropriate motions when questions of law or liability are in dispute. Determines feasibility of including third-party defendants in pending suits.
- Conducts discovery, including but not limited to depositions, interrogatories, requests for admission, etc.
- Reviews insurance policy and all pertinent documents.
- Selects legal investigators and arranges for service of subpoenas and summonses.
- Files additional motions as facts of case and proper timing warrant.
- Reviews medical and related technical data; consults with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities.
- Analyzes information obtained through discovery and determines whether settlement is in best interests of insureds and the Company.
- Prepares uninsured/underinsured motorist cases for trial or arbitration hearings.
- Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings before judge and participates in conducts jury selection.
- Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing trial strategy for construction of a strong defense.
- Conducts defense of a case, by delivering opening statements, examining, and cross-examining witnesses, making and arguing motions, conferring with judges and attorneys, delivering closing arguments.
- Prepares trial briefs, encompassing the insured?s defense, applicable law, and jury instructions.
- Prepares summaries and appears before Case Evaluation Tribunal and/or Facilitator to advocate defendant?s case.
- Evaluates award and makes recommendation as to whether to accept or proceed to trial.
- Keeps client advised of status of case in accordance with office guidelines and client satisfaction goals and consults with third-party clients regarding the litigation.
- Advises insured and recommends retention of independent counsel for potential ?over-limits? judgment to protect insured?s assets.
- Negotiates reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of Company and insured, when and where possible.
- Applies cost/benefit considerations to all litigation activity.
- Advises payment of claims as appropriate.
- Coordinates trial or settlement activity with co-counsel, as necessary, to protect interest of insured.
- Recommends appeals to the Appeals Committee based on facts of cases and recovery chances.
- Renders legal advice and legal opinions as requested by Claims personnel on coverage, liability and damages.
- Conducts Examinations Under Oath in consultation with Practice Leader.
- Participates in the Claims Legal Council Program on a regular basis.
- Participates in one or more office committees, either as a standing or rotating member.
- Mentors less experienced attorneys on legal matters within areas of his/her expertise.
- Our Senior Attorney will earn a competitive annual salary of $105,000 - $140,000 with annual bonus potential, based on performance.
- Excellent and comprehensive benefits packages are just another reason to work for the Auto Club Group. Benefits include:
- 401k Match
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- PTO
- Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school
- Member of the State Bar of applicable state
- Minimum five (5) years of experience as a licensed attorney in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation;
- Three (3) years of experience as an Associate Attorney at ACG Staff Counsel with yearly performance reviews of overall Fully Met Expectations or higher.
- Civil law, judicial procedures and rules of evidence
- Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research
- Discovery methods and techniques
- Mediation rules, procedures and summaries
- General Claims procedures
- Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and appropriate defenses.
- Insurance law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law and Principles of Bad Faith Actions
- Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation
- Policies for all lines of coverage
- Michigan Court Rules and motion practice
- Rules of evidence of proper techniques for introducing or excluding evidence
- Standard Jury Instructions and drafting nonstandard jury instructions where appropriate
- Problems in Professional Ethics relating to relationship of house counsel to insured
- Office standards and procedures
- Legal research and availability of research tools.
- Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, the general public and others in a work environment
- Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms
- Utilize office computer software including litigation management systems ? update others
- Member of the State Bar of Michigan
- Trial experience.
- Experience in first-party no-fault, or auto insurance defense litigation
- Defense trial practice demonstrated through in-depth research projects, self-education, seminars presentations, membership in related professional organizations or other activities.
- Company operations and quality of service, demonstrated by participation in Staff Counsel to enhance operations and services.
- Very favorable performance on Attorney Productivity/? Scorecard? metrics
- Michigan?s No-Fault Act and significant case law
Qualification
Juris Doctor (JD)
Practice Areas & Specialty
Insurance, Litigation