Associate Attorney

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews and analyzes files, insurance policies, all allegations and pertinent medical and technical data.
• Consults with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities.
• 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.
• Selects legal investigators and arranges for service of subpoenas and summonses.
• Files additional motions as facts of case and proper timing warrant.
• Conducts discovery depositions; formulates interrogatories.
• Under moderate supervision of a Practice Leader, conducts examinations under oath.
• Analyzes information obtained through discovery and determines whether settlement is appropriate within his/her authority according to the Company guidelines.
• Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing trial strategy for construction of a strong defense.
• Participates in jury selection.
• Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings before judge.
• Counsels defense of case, including delivery of opening statement, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, makes and argues motions, confers with judges and attorneys, delivers closing argument; prepares trial brief which includes insured’s defense, applicable law, and jury instructions, when appropriate.
• Prepares mediation summaries and appears before Mediation Tribunal to advocate defendant’s case.
• Evaluates award and makes decision as to whether to accept or go to trial within his/her authority.
• Prepares uninsured motorist cases for arbitration hearings.
• Researches all pertinent documents and data; presents cases before arbitration tribunals.
• Keeps client advised of status of case in accordance with office guidelines and client satisfaction goals and consults with third-party clients regarding litigation against them, particularly as to its effect on their personal assets.
• Advises insured and refers to independent counsel to protect insured’s assets in event of an “over-limits” judgment as required.
• Congrates trial or settlement activity with co-counsel, as necessary, to protect interest of insured.
• Applies cost/benefit considerations to all litigation activity in conjunction with evaluation with supervisor.
• Negotiates reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of Company and insured, when and where possible.
• Consults with senior-level Attorneys on more complex cases when necessary.
• Recommends to Appeals Committee whether judgments should be appealed based upon facts of cases and chances of recovery.
• Prepares memorandums and presents cases to Appeals Committee or Executive Committee.
• With approval from Practice Leader, renders legal advice and opinions to branch claim personnel as requested.

How you will benefit

Earn a competitive annual salary of $95,000 - $115,000 with annual bonus potential, based on performance.

Excellent and comprehensive benefits packages are just another reason to work for the Auto Club Group.

• 401k Match
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

Required Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Michigan
• Minimum two (2) years of litigation experience as a licensed attorney
• Knowledge of: 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
• Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and the appropriate defenses to those theories
• Insurance Law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law & Principles of bad faith actions
• Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation
• Michigan Court Rules and motion practice
• Standard Jury instructions and drafting non-standard jury instructions where appropriate
• Professional ethics relating to relationship of house counsel to insured
• Techniques used to take depositions

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in: Trial experience
• Experience in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation
• Knowledge of: Claims procedures and branch organizations
• Michigan No Fault law, including current, significant case law

Skills and Abilities

• Maintain library budget, researching index systems, brief banks and intradepartmental statistics
• Work Environment
• This is primarily a remote position reporting to an office roughly once every 6 weeks, in addition to any required in-person court appearances.
• This position is currently able to work remotely from a home office location for day-to-day operations unless occasional travel for meetings, collaborative activities, or team building activities is specified by leadership.
• This is subject to change based on amendments and/or modifications to the ACG Flex Work policy.