Litigation Counsel

Guardian Life; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Litigation Counsel to join their collaborative Legal Team. This role involves managing a diverse portfolio of litigation cases across various financial services and insurance sectors. You will provide strategic legal advice, collaborate with key stakeholders, and lead operational excellence projects to improve litigation outcomes. This hybrid position offers the flexibility of working from home while also engaging with a dynamic team. If you are passionate about driving legal solutions and fostering relationships across departments, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible Work Schedule

Leadership Development Opportunities

Philanthropic Opportunities

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of litigation experience required.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage all types of litigation involving the company.
• Provide legal advice across various departments.
• Develop customer-centric solutions to recurring issues.

Skills

Litigation Management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Legal Knowledge

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Admission to New York or Massachusetts Bar

Job description

Guided by our company Purpose of “Inspiring well-being for our colleagues, consumers, and communities,” we are committed to building a best-in-class Law Department.

We drive a high-performance culture across our Legal, Compliance, and Government Affairs functions, aligned to “what” we deliver (i.e., our goals and objectives) and “how” we demonstrate our values and behaviors while focusing on the customer. We do this through leveraging a series of core capabilities, which includes accountability, interpersonal effectiveness, ability to demonstrate business savvy, being a subject matter expert, all while supporting the Law Department’s Mission to be a trusted advocate and advisor to drive strategic solutions that advance Guardian’s purpose, priorities, and values.

Do you want to be part of a collaborative Legal Team?

The Litigation Counsel will be responsible for managing all types of litigation involving Guardian and its subsidiaries. The candidate will provide advice and counsel across the Guardian enterprise on a variety of topics including Product Development, Marketing and Distribution, Claims, and Underwriting. The primary challenge for this position lies in the diversity of competencies required to respond to the litigation needs across Guardian’s vast array of financial services, product suite and subsidiary organizations. Internally, this position interacts with all departments and at all management levels.

You will serve on ad hoc project teams within the Company to develop customer centric solutions to recurring issues. Externally, you will interact on a nationwide level with attorneys, Guardian insurance producers and General Agents, peers in the insurance industry, trade associations, Judges, regulators, policyholders, and beneficiaries.

You will

• Provide strategic and effective litigation case management and budget discipline while maintaining a robust caseload.

• Manage and direct outside counsel on a national portfolio of financial services, insurance, and employment litigation.

• Identify and lead operational excellence projects to streamline processes.

• Develop and maintain effective relationships throughout the enterprise; collaborate with key stakeholders to improve litigation outcomes and ensure the Litigation Team achieves broader enterprise objectives.

• Provide proactive advice and legal support for the claims and underwriting organizations.

• Develop and deliver training on recurring issues for key stakeholders, business partners, and the Law Department.

You have

• 5 - 10 years of litigation experience and admission to the New York or Massachusetts bar.

• Insurance or financial services experience preferred.

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of civil procedure and contract law.

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and ability to express yourself in an open and honest manner.

• An open mind, a curious disposition and willingness to collaborate in a fast-paced environment.

• A demonstrated history of growth, innovation, problem solving and client service.

• A desire to lead, inspire, motivate, and drive performance.

Reporting Relationship

This position will report to the Associate General Counsel, Litigation, who reports to the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer.

Location /Travel

• Hybrid role: 3 days a week in the office, 2 days WFH. Locations: Hudson Yards, NYC; Bethlehem, PA or Pittsfield MA office

• Occasional travel to Guardian’s regional offices and to attend litigation functions (i.e., mediations, depositions, court hearings).

Salary Range:

$148,940.00 - $244,685.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.

Every day, Guardian helps our 29 million customers realize their dreams through a range of insurance and financial products and services. Our Purpose, to inspire well-being, guides our dedication to the colleagues, consumers, and communities we serve. We know that people count, and we go above and beyond to prepare them for the life they want to live, focusing on their overall well-being — mind, body, and wallet. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we put our customers first. Behind every bright future is a GuardianTM. Learn more about Guardian at guardianlife.com.