Senior Manager, Staff Counsel - Maryland

About the role

GEICO is seeking a Senior Manager of multiple Staff Counsel office activities in the State of Maryland. The role involves the defense of lawsuits against GEICO insureds in liability suits and property damage suits, and on behalf of GEICO in subrogation, Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM), and Subrogation suits.

Responsibilities

• Manages subordinates in all activities relating to the defense of lawsuits and against GEICO insureds in liability and property damage cases, and on behalf of GEICO in UM/UIM and Subrogation suits.
• Interviews and/or approves job applicants for employment.
• Conducts and/or reviews associate Performance Appraisals.
• Initiates or approves salary adjustments, performance ratings, and other personnel changes.
• Counsels associates and take disciplinary action or terminate the employment of associates as appropriate.
• Represents GEICO insureds in liability cases, and UM/UIM, subrogation, and PD suits filed in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction.
• Researches laws and prepares legal briefs, opinions, and memoranda.
• Renders opinions on liability, damage, and value as requested by the Claims Department.
• Prepares and handles pleadings, motions, and discovery, to include depositions/examinations before trial and examinations under oath, and other deadlines.
• Trains and supervises less experienced attorneys, including assisting attorneys as first and second chair counsel, and/or observing attorneys at trials and arbitrations; monitors all applicable bar requirements including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) requirements; provides feedback on quality of file handling and expense management.
• Reviews office reports and implements changes to improve office statistics, including timeliness of reports to clients, productivity reports, client and claims survey results, resolved ratio, and subrogation results.
• Adheres to the GEICO Code of Conduct, company policies, and operating principles.
• Maintains attendance standards of the business location to perform necessary job functions and facilitate interaction with subordinates and management.

Requirements

• Must be able to travel as required, including but not limited to attend trials, hearings, depositions, management meetings and conferences.
• Must be able, with or without accommodation, to perform the essential functions which include, but are not limited to, thinking (concentrating, focusing, assimilating information), reading, writing, listening, typing, speaking, bending, reaching, lifting, and standing for extended periods.
• Must be able to communicate in a professional manner in person, via telephone and written correspondence/email.
• Must be able to document files in a clear, concise, professional written manner, to be understood by customers, clients, co-workers and other employees of the organization.
• Must be able to follow complex instructions, resolve conflicts or facilitate conflict resolution, and have strong organization/priority setting and multi-tasking skills.
• Must demonstrate successful performance in handling primary trial responsibility for cases of significant severity and complexity.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree REQUIRED.
• Must be licensed in good standing to practice law in applicable jurisdictions and meet and maintain licensing requirements including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements where applicable.
• Minimum of 10 years of litigation experience, including insurance defense or personal injury.
• Specifically managing a team of attorneys and support staff.

Skills

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to manage and supervise a team of attorneys and support staff.
• Experience in handling complex litigation cases, including insurance defense and personal injury.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in legal research and drafting legal documents.
• Ability to manage and adhere to legal and ethical standards.

Benefits

The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.

Pay

$148,625.00 - $260,350.00

Schedule

Hybrid position and will sit in either Bethesda, MD or Baltimore, MD site.