In-House Litigation Counsel

Location: Chicago, IL – hybrid role based in the new West Loop satellite office.

About the role

State Farm is seeking an experienced Litigation In-House Counsel to join the Litigation Division of the Corporate Law Department in our Chicago satellite office. This role focuses on supervising litigation and managing discovery in cases involving State Farm entities, with responsibilities that include collaborating with outside counsel, trial preparation, and providing legal advice to business units.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with outside counsel to develop litigation strategies for bad faith, class action, and other litigation types.
• Assist in trial preparation and prepare company witnesses and corporate representatives for depositions and testimony.
• Attend trials and provide trial reports to business units, Law Department management, and colleagues.
• Develop and manage budgets for litigation matters and related projects.
• Provide legal advice to representatives of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its affiliates.
• Analyze legal problems and interpret laws and regulations.
• Approach legal matters and litigation resolution with creative solutions.
• Serve as a resource for the organization on complex legal issues.
• Respond to written discovery requests (interrogatories, document requests, and requests for admission) in state and federal court litigation.
• Prepare and execute discovery strategies and manage discovery processes and procedures.
• Advise on meet and confer strategies and discovery disputes, driving strategy on related motions.
• Review dispositive pleadings and other legal briefs prepared by outside counsel.
• Assist in identifying a bench of outside counsel across jurisdictions in the United States.
• Collaborate with other areas within the Corporate Law Department to effectively manage legal risk.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school and excellent academic credentials.
• Active law license to practice law in at least one state; ability to obtain a limited license in Illinois if not already licensed there.
• If not already licensed in Illinois, must obtain at least an in-house limited license, submit an application to the Illinois Board of Admissions within 90 days of start date, and actively pursue licensure.
• 10+ years of litigation experience, including jury trial and significant deposition experience.
• Advanced knowledge of legal principles and practices related to litigation.
• Leadership, management, and collaboration skills.
• Experience with class actions, MDLs, and/or insurance bad faith strongly preferred.
• Experience with eDiscovery issues.
• Proactive and creative mindset that anticipates and responds effectively to client needs.
• Commitment to providing quality legal advice and learning agility.
• Eligibility to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work authorization.

Additional Details

• Employees are not permitted to handle legal business outside of State Farm except authorized pro bono work.
• Newly hired employees must cease all outside practice and suit involvement before joining State Farm.
• Travel may be required to attend trials, litigation-related events, or Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, IL.
• May work irregular hours due to workload and nature of work.
• Relocation benefits may be available depending on eligibility and position.

Pay

Potential starting salary range: $185,000.00–$280,000.00, based on skills, background, and experience. The high end of the range is limited to applicants with significant relevant experience. Compensation is based on a standard 38:45-hour work week. Potential yearly incentive pay up to 30% of base salary.

Benefits

• Get Paid: Eligible for annual raises and bonus opportunities.
• Stay Well: Robust health and wellbeing programs with State Farm covering most healthcare premiums. Multiple healthcare plan options, including a high-deductible plan, all providing 100% coverage for in-network preventative care. Access to vision, dental, telemedicine, 24/7 mental health professionals, and more.
• Develop and Grow: Educational benefits including industry-leading training programs, tuition assistance, employee resource groups, and mentoring.
• Plan Ahead: Benefits like fertility/IVF/adoption assistance, college coaching, national discount programs, financial workshops, free financial coaching, and savings options through State Farm Federal Credit Union.
• Take a Little “You” Time: Generous time off policies, including up to 20 days annually plus parental leave, paid holidays, celebration day, life leave (40 hours/year), bereavement leave, and community service/education support days.
• Give Back: Matching Gift Program, Good Neighbor Grant Program, and Employee Assistance Fund.
• Finish Strong: Retirement planning with free financial advisors and a 401(k) plan with company contributions of up to 7% of salary.