Insurance Defense Trial Attorney - Dallas

About the role

We are adding a trial attorney to our Dallas–Fort Worth-area staff counsel team. Our attorneys work remotely and handle in-person appearances and trials as required. We offer developmental opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package including annual bonus potential up to 20% of salary, generous 401(k), auto allowance, PTO, medical/dental/vision, paid parental leave, and more—without the stress of billable hours.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in all areas of insurance defense practice, handling cases that are primarily low to moderate in complexity and exposure.
• Manage all phases of cases from intake to resolution.
• Litigate low- to moderate-complexity and exposure cases, performing duties from intake through trial and/or settlement.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, discovery, and briefs.
• Attend hearings, conferences, interviews, mediations, arbitrations, and/or trials.
• Proactively inform leadership of case-handling opportunities and challenges.
• Consult with the Claims Department on legal aspects of files and jurisdictional issues.
• Perform other tasks or duties to ensure efficient case management.
• Handle second-chair trials and trials in cases with moderate complexity and/or exposure.
• Support senior attorneys in cases of greater complexity and/or exposure and receive developmental assignments on high-complexity and/or exposure matters.

Physical Actions

Job is performed in-person at a Farmers office or virtually at an approved alternative work location. May include work at field locations. The indoor office environment is climate-controlled with adequate lighting and ventilation; normal distractions include office equipment noise and office chatter. Outdoor field work may involve exposure to weather elements.

• Frequently sits or stands for prolonged periods, up to a full shift.
• Occasionally moves about the workplace, including navigating stairs, ramps, and level or uneven surfaces.
• Occasionally moves, pushes, pulls, lifts, carries, and places objects or materials up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Frequently uses shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers to manipulate equipment, tools, and objects necessary to perform job duties.
• Frequently performs fine motor tasks such as typing, mousing, or writing, up to a full shift.
• Occasionally performs movements such as bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, twisting, and reaching overhead or below the knees.
• Possesses clear vision, with or without correction, to visually read and verify information.
• Relies on depth perception and peripheral vision to navigate the work environment by identifying barriers, terrain changes, and locating objects.
• Possesses adequate hearing, with or without correction, to communicate with co-workers, respond to auditory signals or alarms, and discern essential sounds for safety and productivity.
• Jobs in this category may require regular travel between Farmers offices, alternative work locations, and/or field locations.

Required job duties are normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment, with some exposure to uncontrollable outside environmental conditions and travel via automobile and/or commercial transportation.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in applicable states required upon hire.

Experience Requirements

• Three years of insurance defense litigation and/or personal/bodily injury experience preferred.
• Second-chair trial experience strongly preferred.
• Multistate jurisdictional practice preferred.

Special Skill Requirements

• Public speaking.
• Ability to function and handle high caseloads in adversarial or confrontational situations.
• Driving.

Qualifications

• Strong verbal communication and listening skills.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Effective negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated conflict management skills.
• Ability to represent the company with external constituents.
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated time management and priority-setting skills.
• Ability to work within tight timeframes and meet strict deadlines.
• Possesses strong technical aptitude.
• Adept and proficient at using technology to maximize efficiency in a virtual, paperless environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, qualifications, and location.
• Bonus opportunity (based on company and individual performance).
• 401(k) with employer contribution.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.