Manager, Staff Counsel - Milwaukee, WI

GEICO; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GEICO in Wisconsin is seeking a Manager, Staff Counsel to lead the defense and management of lawsuits involving GEICO insureds in liability, UM/UIM, and PIP matters. The role requires Juris Doctor and active Wisconsin license, and strong leadership.

You will oversee staff attorneys, supervise trial preparation, coordinate discovery, and ensure compliance with CLE requirements. Some travel to trials and hearings is expected as part of hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required and licensed in Wisconsin.
• Minimum 7 years of litigation experience, including insurance defense or personal injury.
• Management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise attorneys, including first and second chair roles.
• Manage defense of lawsuits for GEICO insureds in liability, UM/UIM, PIP, and subrogation matters.
• Coordinate discovery, pleadings, and court appearances; ensure timely filings.
• Direct staff in training and quality review of files.
• Travel to trials and hearings as required.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation management

People management

Education

Juris Doctor

Wisconsin Bar License

Job description

Why Join GEICO?

At GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.

Every day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.

Founded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.

GEICO is looking for a Manager, Staff Counsel, in the Wisconsin area. This leader will manage all Staff Counsel office activities relating to the defense of lawsuits against GEICO insureds in liability suits, and on behalf of GEICO in subrogation, Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM), and PIP suits or arbitrations, filed in Missouri courts.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Interviews and/or approves job applicants for employment. Conducts and/or reviews associate Performance Appraisals. Initiates or approves salary adjustments, performance ratings, and other personnel changes. Counsels associates and takes disciplinary action or terminates the employment of associates as appropriate.
• Manage subordinates in all activities relating to the defense of lawsuits and against GEICO insureds in liability cases, and on behalf of GEICO in UM/UIM, PIP and Subrogation suits.
• Represents GEICO insureds in liability cases, UM/UIM, and PIP suits filed in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction.
• Research laws and prepare legal briefs, opinions, and memoranda. Renders opinions on liability, damage, and value as requested by the Claims Department. Prepares and handles pleadings, motions, and discovery, to include depositions/examinations before trial and examinations under oath. Defends all assigned matters by trial, arbitration, or mediation, as applicable. Meets deadlines to respond to pleadings, and correspondence; appears timely in court, arbitrations, depositions, meetings, and other scheduled matters.
• Trains and supervises attorneys, including assisting attorneys as first and second chair counsel, and/or observing attorneys at trials and arbitrations; monitors all applicable bar requirements including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) requirements; reviews and provides feedback on quality of file handling.
• Assists Senior Managing Attorney and Department with special projects, as requested.
• Travels to attend trials, hearings, arbitrations, depositions, management meetings, and conferences.
• Reviews office reports and implements changes to improve office results, including all aspects of effective file handling.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have the following education and experience: Juris Doctor
• Must be licensed in good standing to practice law in the state of Wisconsin and meet and maintain licensing requirements including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements where applicable
• Must have a minimum of 7 years of litigation experience, including insurance defense or personal injury
• Management experience

Location – HYBRID:

Individual will be required to work a hybrid schedule onsite in the WI Staff Counsel office.

The GEICO Pledge:

Great Company:

Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.

Great Careers:

Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.

Great Culture:

Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.

Great Rewards:

Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.

The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.