Hybrid Senior Attorney

at AAA

• Job title: Senior Attorney
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $110,000 - $150,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Professional Certificate
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Troy, United States

About the role

• Senior Attorney managing complex litigation at AAA/The Auto Club Group. Collaborating closely with claims personnel and advising on legal matters throughout the litigation process.

Responsibilities

• Uses advanced specialized knowledge to handle complex to highly complex litigation of cases of unlimited exposure in which the insured or the Company is a defendant.
• Controls all aspects of litigation, including trial preparation, discovery, negotiation, presentation and appeals from District to Circuit Court.
• Exercises discretion and judgment in performing all functions with minimal supervision.
• 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.
• Reviews insurance policy and all pertinent documents.
• 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.
• Analyzes 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.
• 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.
• Coordinates 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.
• Renders legal advice and legal opinions as requested by Claims personnel on coverage, liability and damages.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school
• Member of the State Bar of applicable state
• 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 of 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.

Benefits

• 401k Match
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement