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.
• Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing trial strategy for construction of a strong defense.
• Conducts defense of a case, by delivering opening statements, examining, and cross-examining witnesses, making and arguing motions, conferring with judges and attorneys, delivering closing arguments.
• Prepares trial briefs, encompassing the insured’s defense, applicable law, and jury instructions.
• Prepares summaries and appears before Case Evaluation Tribunal and/or Facilitator to advocate defendant’s case.
• 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 and 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.
• Cohorts 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

How You Will Benefit

• Earns a competitive annual salary of $110,000 - $150,000 with annual bonus potential, based on performance.
• Excellent and comprehensive benefits packages are just another reason to work for the Auto Club Group.
• Benefits include:
• 401(k) Match
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement

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; Insurance law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law and Principles of Bad Faith Actions; 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 in: 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.