In-House Complex Discovery Litigation Counsel

State Farm; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual raise & bonus

Healthcare covered

Tuition assistance

401(k) with employer contributions

Generous PTO

Job summary

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is seeking an attorney to join the Corporate Law Litigation Section in our Chicago satellite office. You will help manage institutional discovery and litigation risk, collaborating with internal teams to align legal strategy with business objectives.

The role emphasizes discovery strategy, including responses to requests, depositions, eDiscovery protocols, and privilege analyses.

Qualifications

• Must have a Law Degree from an ABA accredited law school with excellent academics.
• Active law license in at least one state; in-house Illinois license path if not licensed in Illinois.
• 7+ years with discovery, motion practice, and technology in discovery contexts.

Responsibilities

• Shape discovery strategies in bad faith, class actions, and other disputes.
• Lead discovery responses including interrogatories, document requests, and subpoenas.
• Prepare witnesses for depositions and testimony in court.
• Advise on eDiscovery protocols, protective orders, and privilege analyses.
• Develop defensible review processes using analytics and sampling.

Skills

Legal analysis

Litigation strategy

Discovery management

eDiscovery technology

Education

Law degree (J.D.)

Tools

CAL/TAR

GenAI

Job description

Overview

Being good neighbors – helping people, investing in our communities, and making the world a better place – is who we are at State Farm. It is at the core of how we operate and the reason for our success. We're moving with urgency to become a Next Gen Good Neighbor, with technology that strengthens human connections and enhances the customer experience. As an employee, you'll spend less time navigating systems and more time applying judgment, empathy, and expertise in the moments that matter most.

Responsibilities

State Farm is excited to announce the opening of a satellite office in Chicago. We are seeking particular subject matter expertise to supplement our Bloomington based Corporate Law team.

Join State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company—a proud Fortune 50 leader with a legacy of excellence since 1922—as we seek a dynamic and motivated attorney to work as part of a team to help State Farm engage in institutional discovery and otherwise help manage institutional litigation risk. This position is part of Corporate Law’s Litigation Section within State Farm’s Law Department, located in our new satellite office in Chicago's West Loop.At State Farm, we don’t just offer jobs; we provide opportunities to grow, challenge yourself, and make a real impact. Our Law Department team members are empowered to collaborate, innovate, and thrive professionally and personally in a supportive environment that values development and teamwork.

Why You’ll Love This Role:

• Hybrid Work Model:Enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement that balances in-office collaboration with remote productivity. While this role requires the majority of time in office to support close teamwork, we value work-life balance and adaptability as business needs evolve.
• Impactful Work:You will have an integral role in shaping discovery-related strategies and issues in bad faith, class action, and various other types of litigation,
  • Analyze legal matters and/or litigation resolution in creative ways.
  • Drive strategies on discovery-related issues including responding to written discovery requests (interrogatories, document requests and requests for admission), meet & confers, discovery disputes and discovery motions, and respond to third-party subpoenas in state and federal court litigation and from state and federal regulatory agencies.
  • Prepare company witnesses and/or corporate representatives for depositions and other testimony in state and federal court litigation.
  • Provide strategic guidance for, draft, and help negotiate eDiscovery protocols, protective orders, and related agreements and provide legal advice and develop strategies regarding privilege analyses, including, where appropriate, categorical logging, redactions and clawback agreements.
  • Develop and validate defensible review processes, including through the use of predictive coding, analytics, sampling methodologies and statistical validation techniques where applicable.
• Strategic Partnerships:You will be a strategic thought partner, including in the following ways:
  • Build relationships with business area contacts and Law Department colleagues to identify and collect responsive materials for discovery and identify appropriate corporate representatives.
  • Collaborate with internal and external legal teams, IT and other internal business areas, and external vendors to develop and implement eDiscovery strategies that align with legal and business objectives and to provide legal advice regarding risks arising from business area technology enablement.
  • Educate outside counsel, witnesses, and third-party service providers on discovery processes.
• Leadership in Action:Provide legal advice and help identify, develop, implement and refine optimal use of discovery-related technology, including GenAI, including for early case assessment and broader discovery strategies and help shape policies that directly affect our business and customers your legal expertise will be central to our success.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Must have a Law Degree from an ABA accredited law school and excellent academic credentials
• Active law license in at least one state and in good standing with the bar.
• If not already licensed to practice law in Illinois, you will need to obtain at least an in-house limited license for this role, submit an application to the Illinois Board of Admissions within 90 days from your start date, actively pursue the licensure, and keep your supervisor informed throughout the process.
• Preferred candidate would have a minimum of 7+ years’ experience in one or more of the following:
  • Significant discovery experience, including managing discovery strategy across a portfolio of related matters.
  • Significant motion practice experience, especially in the context of unilateral discovery.
  • Use of technology (e.g., CAL/TAR, AI) as part of discovery and case assessment processes.
• A proactive, preventative approach to lawyering, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality legal advice.
• Demonstrated agility in learning new areas and a passion for continuous professional growth.
• Proven team player who excels in collaborating with diverse stakeholders in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. immediately; sponsorship is not available.

Additional Details:

• Other than as authorized by the General Counsel or her designee, employees are not permitted to handle any legal business outside of State Farm except authorized pro bono work
• Newly hired employees must cease all outside practice and all suit involvement before joining State Farm
• Travel may be required to attend trial in person as well as other litigation-related events or activities along with occasional travel to Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, IL
• May work irregular hours due to workload and nature of work
• Relocation benefits may be available depending on eligibility and position

Our Benefits

Because work-life balance is a priority at State Farm, compensation is based on our standard 38:45-hour work week!

• Potential starting salary range: $185,000.00-280,000.00
• • Starting salary will be based on skills, background, and experience
  • High end of the range limited to applicants with significant relevant experience
• Potential yearly incentive pay up to 30% of base salary

At State Farm, we offer more than just a paycheck. Check out our suite of benefits designed to give you the flexibility you need to take care of you and your family!

• Get Paid! On top of our competitive pay, you are eligible for an annual raise and bonus.
• Stay Well! Focus on you and your family’s health with our robust health and wellbeing programs. State Farm pays most of your healthcare premium, and we offer multiple healthcare plan options, including a high deductible plan. All medical plans provide 100% coverage for in-network preventative care, AND you and your family have access to vision, dental, telemedicine, 24/7 mental health professionals, and much more!
• Develop and Grow! Take advantage of educational benefits like industry leading training programs, top-notch tuition assistance programs, employee resource groups, and mentoring.
• Plan Ahead! Plan for those big moments in life with benefits like fertility/IVF/adoption assistance, college coaching, national discount programs, interactive monthly financial workshops, free financial coaching, and more. You can also start a savings account or consider financing through our State Farm Federal Credit Union!
• Take a Little “You” Time! You will have access to our generous time off policies designed so you can plan around holidays, family events, volunteering, or just to take a relaxing day off. With the opportunity to initially earn up to 20 days annually plus parental leave, paid holidays, celebration day, life leave (40 hours/year), bereavement leave, and community service/education support days, there will be plenty of time for you!
• Give Back! We offer several ways to give back through our Matching Gift Program, Good Neighbor Grant Program, and the Employee Assistance Fund.
• Finish Strong! Plan for retirement using free financial advisors and a 401(k) plan with company contributions of up to 7% of your salary.