In-House Litigation Counsel

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work arrangement

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is seeking an experienced In-House Counsel to lead the Litigation Division of the Corporate Law Department in Chicago. The role focuses on supervising complex litigation, discovery, and trial preparation with a hybrid work arrangement at a satellite office in the West Loop.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of litigation experience, jury trial and deposition expertise, and a strong track record in developing litigation strategies.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school with excellent academics.
• Active license to practice law in at least one state; IL license or in-house limited IL license required.
• 10+ years of litigation experience; jury trials and depositions essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise litigation and manage discovery across cases.
• Collaborate with outside counsel on litigation strategies including class actions and MDLs.
• Prepare witnesses and coordinate depositions; oversee trial readiness.
• Develop budgets for litigation matters and reports to Law Department management.

Skills

Litigation experience

Trial & deposition

Legal strategy

Leadership & collaboration

eDiscovery familiarity

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Location US-IL-Chicago

Job Category Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management

Position Type Regular Full Time

Req ID 45875

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.

State Farm is excited to offer a Litigation In-House Counsel opportunity within the Litigation Division of our Corporate Law Department. Our Law Department is made up of dedicated and empowered professionals who support each other’s growth both personally and professionally - a culture that has defined us since 1922.

The ideal candidate for this role will have 10+ years of relevant experience. Individuals in this position will take on advanced responsibilities, including supervising litigation and formulating strategies for complex cases, which may include class actions.

The role is classified as hybrid, requiring a balance of in-office and virtual work, with the expectation that the majority of time will be spent in the office in the new Chicago Satellite office located in the West Loop. Work arrangements may evolve based on business needs.

The primary focus of this role is to supervise litigation and manage discovery issues in cases involving State Farm entities. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborate with outside counsel to develop litigation strategies for bad faith, class action, and various other litigation types.


• Assist in trial preparation and prepare company witnesses and corporate representatives for depositions and testimony.


• Attend trials and provide trial reports to relevant business units, Law Department management, and colleagues.


• Develop and manage budgets for litigation matters and related projects.


• Provide legal advice to representatives of the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its affiliates.


• Analyze legal problems and interpret laws and regulations.


• Approach legal matters and litigation resolution with creative solutions.


• Serve as a resource for the organization on complex legal issues.


• Respond to written discovery requests (interrogatories, document requests, and requests for admission) in state and federal court litigation.


• Prepare and execute discovery strategies and manage discovery processes and procedures.


• Advise on meet and confer strategies and discovery disputes, driving strategy on related motions.


• Review dispositive pleadings and other legal briefs prepared by outside counsel.


• Assist in identifying a bench of outside counsel across jurisdictions in the United States.


• Collaborate with other areas within the Corporate Law Department to effectively manage legal risk.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school and excellent academic credentials


• Active law license to practice law in at least one state and a member in good standing of the bar with an ability to obtain a limited license in IL if not already appropriately licensed in IL


• 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.


• Attorney with 10+ years of litigation experience


• Jury trial and significant deposition experience


• Advanced knowledge of legal principles and practices related to litigation


• Leadership, management, and collaboration skills


• Experience with class actions, MDLs, and/or insurance bad faith strongly preferred


• Experience with eDiscovery issues


• Proactive and creative mindset that anticipates and responds effectively to client’s needs and actively assists clients by practicing preventative law


• Commitment to providing quality legal advice, learning agility (including demonstrated willingness to develop expertise in new subject matters), and a history of enthusiastic participation in a team environment


• Eligibility to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work opportunity

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

1. 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.

Visit our State Farm Careers page for more information on our benefits, locations, and the hiring process of joining the State Farm team!

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