Senior Attorney

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Analyses 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.
• Evaluates award and makes recommendation as to whether to accept or proceed to trial.

Client Communications and Negotiations

• Keeps client advised of status of case in accordance with office guidelines and client satisfaction goals.
• 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.
• Covers 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.

Legal Advice and Guidance

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school. Member of the State Bar of applicable state.
• Experience: Minimum five (5) years of experience as a licensed attorney in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation; Or Three (3) years of experience as an Associate Attorney at ACG Staff Counsel with yearly performance reviews of overall Fully Met Expectations or higher.
• Knowledge: 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, 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Trial experience, experience in first-party no-fault, or auto insurance defense litigation.
• Knowledge: 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.