Staff Attorney II

Location: 9521 San Mateo NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113-2237

About the Role

Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) is seeking a Staff Attorney I-II - Risk Management to join our legal team and support the management and defense of claims and litigation. Reporting to the VP, Associate General Counsel - Clinical Risk and Litigation, this role plays a key part in risk mitigation, claims defense, and litigation support across our integrated healthcare system.

Responsibilities

• Assist in claims and litigation management, including review, analysis, and revisions to discovery, pleadings, motion practice, and witness preparation
• Collaborate with internal Claims Adjusters, Risk Staff Attorneys, and outside counsel on litigation strategy, discovery requests, and settlements
• Provide guidance and support to PHS workforce members involved in litigation or when those individuals are served with subpoenas requiring their participation in litigation
• Review and negotiate pre-suit claims, evidence preservation letters, and settlement demands
• Support development and implementation of risk management strategies, policies, and procedures
• Provide education and training to PHS workforce members on best practices and regulatory compliance
• Participate in incident investigations related to patient safety, compliance, or potential claims
• Promote a culture of safety and risk awareness by collaborating with clinical, quality, and legal teams within Presbyterian
• Provide legal support for the risk management team and the Presbyterian enterprise, including working with and managing outside defense counsel in a variety of civil litigation cases, review and revisions of pleadings, discovery responses, and other litigation-related documents, participate in the formation of litigation strategy, and work with the Staff Attorney III and the Associate General Counsel on analyzing and educating Presbyterian healthcare providers and employees on risk-related issues
• Serve as legal advisor to committees regarding risk management, litigation management, and associated strategic initiatives
• Educate and train business partners and stakeholders on litigation, claims, and risk mitigation
• Collaborate with hospital departments to operationalize legal and business objectives

Ideal Candidate

• Strong interest in healthcare law, risk management, and claims/litigation
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and provide guidance in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in one or more states and a member in good standing of the applicable state bar
• New Mexico license to Practice Law preferred and must be acquired as soon as practicable following employment
• At least 5 years experience practicing in general civil litigation, health law litigation, or attorney oversight of litigation from a risk management perspective
• Experience working in a litigation setting preferred
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with court personnel, healthcare providers and other stakeholders
• Occasional in-state travel to various PHS facilities

Pay

Pay Range Minimum Offer: $127,940.80
Maximum Offer: $224,494.40

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, group term life insurance, and other optional voluntary benefits

Wellness

Presbyterian's Employee Wellness rewards program is designed to provide engaging opportunities to enhance health and activate well-being. Earn gift cards and more by participating in wellness activities like wellness challenges, webinars, preventive screenings, and more.

About Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Presbyterian exists to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities we serve. We are a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan, and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses. Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care), and Commercial health plans.