Counsel, Litigation Management & Product Liability

About the role

The Counsel – Litigation & Product Liability position at HNI Corporation is responsible for assisting in the management of the company’s litigation portfolio, with responsibility for product liability claims and broader litigation arising from the manufacture, distribution, and sale of hearth products and workplace furnishing products as well as other litigation and claims matters that may arise.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the management of the company’s litigation portfolio, with responsibility for product liability claims and broader litigation arising from the manufacture, distribution, and sale of hearth products and workplace furnishing products as well as other litigation and claims matters that may arise.
• Serve as a legal advisor for pre-litigation claims involving allegations of property damage, bodily injury, product malfunction, or other losses associated with company products.
• Conduct early case assessments and evaluate legal liability, damages exposure, insurance implications, and potential defenses.
• Coordinate with Risk Management, Engineering, Product Safety, Quality, EHS, and Operations teams to investigate claims, preserve evidence, and develop factual records.
• Direct forensic investigations and collaborate with outside experts, consultants, and insurance carriers to evaluate the origin and cause of alleged losses.
• Review demand letters, incident reports, expert findings, and supporting documentation to determine appropriate response strategies.
• Oversee settlement strategies consistent with the company’s risk tolerance and business objectives.
• Provide recommendations regarding reserve levels, settlement authority, and escalation of matters that present significant financial, operational, or reputational risk.
• Identify claims trends and recurring issues and partner with Engineering, Quality, and Operations teams to recommend corrective actions and risk mitigation measures.
• Determine when matters should transition from claims management into active litigation and oversee the handoff and subsequent litigation strategy.
• Support interactions with insurance carriers and claims administrators regarding coverage, reserves, and claims handling.
• Monitor emerging trends and developments in litigation, product safety standards, and quality-related claims.
• Afford assistance with managing other litigation matters as needed, including premises liability, contractual disputes, and other matters as assigned.
• Provide legal support on product safety and quality matters, including advising on recalls, field actions, corrective measures, and customer communications related to product performance issues.
• Lead or support internal investigations related to product safety incidents, quality failures, customer complaints, and potential regulatory issues, including coordination of fact gathering, document preservation, and witness interviews.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies for product liability, personal injury, property damage, warranty, and other commercial disputes that align with the company’s business objectives and risk tolerance.
• Participate in mediation, arbitration, settlement discussions, and other dispute resolution activities.
• Analyze litigation trends and recommend improvements to reduce legal exposure and enhance product safety.
• Partner with Risk Management and insurance carriers to manage claims and litigation costs.
• Review reserve recommendations and assist with budgeting and forecasting related to litigation matters.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting for significant claims and litigation activity.
• Provide legal guidance related to product safety, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Lead or support internal investigations into product safety concerns, quality issues, field incidents, and potential regulatory violations, and recommend corrective and preventive actions when appropriate.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and EHS teams to address product safety and quality issues, support failure analysis, and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
• Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and legal trends affecting product liability and manufacturing operations.
• Deliver training and education to internal stakeholders on litigation-related matters and legal risk awareness.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required.
• 8+ years of legal experience with significant exposure to product liability litigation, claims management, and investigations.
• Experience managing complex product liability, personal injury, or commercial litigation matters, with demonstrated ability to handle investigations.
• Experience directing outside counsel and coordinating with experts and insurance carriers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, consumer products, or distribution businesses, including product safety and quality functions, preferred.
• Experience handling fire-related litigation, fire investigations, or property damage claims.
• Experience defending manufacturers or product companies in complex tort matters.
• Strong understanding of litigation management and dispute resolution practices.
• Knowledge of product liability law, tort law, product safety regulations, and risk management principles.
• Experience managing outside counsel and controlling legal spend.
• Familiarity with insurance coverage issues and claims administration processes.