Senior Liability Trial Attorney

Zurich is looking for a Sr. Liability Trial Attorney to join our in-house Staff Legal team, representing the commercial insureds of a prestigious and financially stable commercial insurance carrier. This role involves preparing and trying high-complexity, high-exposure General Liability and Commercial Auto personal injury cases.

Zurich North America Claims offers a hybrid work model designed for flexibility, allowing employees to conduct individual work in their preferred location while facilitating in-person connections and collaborative activities. The selected candidate should be able to report out of Zurich’s Maitland, Florida office in the Orlando area or work from home in the Tampa, Florida area, handling cases in Central Florida, Jacksonville, and the Florida panhandle.

About the role

The selected candidate will perform duties encompassing all aspects of insurance defense, including:

• Initial investigation and legal analysis and advice
• Preparing and filing legal pleadings and documents
• Performing legal research
• Preparing for and conducting pre-trial discovery
• Preparing for and aggressively handling hearings and trials
• Conducting post-trial activities where appropriate

Requirements

• Juris Doctor
• 7 or more years of experience in the Litigation area
• Member of the Bar in good standing in jurisdiction(s) in which practice is located
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe
• Experience working with Lexis or Westlaw
• Knowledge of the insurance industry, claims, and the insurance defense litigation legal environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrated case analysis ability and a track record of proven trial and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and without substantial supervision
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with video conferencing and task assignment systems
• Experience handling insurance industry claims and general commercial litigation, including wrongful death, commercial motor vehicle torts, products and premises liability, and personal injury, from inception through trial
• Well-organized with good analytical skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and a proactive approach to file handling and caseloads
• First chair jury trial experience
• Ability to budget costs and calculate exposure for clients
• Efficient work habits, knowledge of billables, and diary review with substantive and procedural legal knowledge
• Understanding of the staff counsel function and role in overall business
• Prior experience in an insurance defense environment
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a team-based environment and strong collaboration skills
• PC literate

Pay

The proposed salary range for this position is $140,000.00 - $165,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 15%. Pay is based on role, location, skills, and experience, and follows local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases.

Benefits

• Dollar-for-dollar 401K match
• Second 401K contribution
• Flexible work options and hybrid work schedule
• Comprehensive benefits for employees and their families