Partner - General Liability - Insurance Defense

Chartwell Law; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Chartwell Law in Buffalo, NY seeks a Partner to lead legal and business functions, supervise teams, guide attorneys, and coordinate operations. The role advises clients, represents them in courts and administrative proceedings, and shapes strategy under applicable laws and regulations.

Additionally, partners participate in hiring, budgeting, compliance, and overall growth, with a focus on sustaining service quality and firm direction. Remote/hybrid/onsite possibilities may apply based on needs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in general liability/insurance defense.
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted in [State] (other states a plus).
• Experience participating in negotiations and mediations.
• Superior analytical, research, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients in business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits or legal rights and obligations.
• Independently manage cases from start to finish: pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, mediation, and trial prep including supervision of associates and staff members.
• Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
• Analyze and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations with probable case outcomes for individuals and businesses.
• Represent clients in court or before government agencies, present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
• Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions; evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments for presentation of cases.
• Conduct extensive legal research and drafting of substantial briefs, memos, pleadings, and appellate briefs.
• Manage deadlines and assignments with a high level of ownership and independence.
• Annual billable amount of 1950 hours required.
• Salary range $100,000 - $165,000.

Skills

Communication

Conflict Management

Service Focus

Planning & Prioritization

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Description

The Partner plays a key leadership role in both the legal and business functions of the firm, managing complex cases while supervising teams, guiding attorneys, and coordinating operational needs. This includes advising clients, representing them in court and administrative proceedings, and shaping strategy based on an understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Partners also contribute to hiring, budgeting, compliance, and the overall growth and direction of the firm.

Job Type

Full-time

Primary Job Duties

• Advise clients in business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits or legal rights and obligations
• Independently manage cases from start to finish: pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, mediation, and trial prep including supervision of associates and staff members
• Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial
• Analyze and interpret laws, rulings, and regulations with probable case outcomes for individuals and businesses
• Represent clients in court or before government agencies, present and summarize cases to judges and juries
• Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions; evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments for presentation of cases
• Conduct extensive legal research and drafting of substantial briefs, memos, pleadings, and appellate briefs
• Manage deadlines and assignments with a high level of ownership and independence
• Annual billable amount of 1950 hours required
• Salary range $100,000 - $165,000

Key Competencies

• Communicating – Service Supervisors provide the information required by others in a concise, direct, and unambiguous way. They strive to ensure that the receiver clearly understands the specifics of their message and they are able to listen to, receive, and understand messages conveyed by others.
• Conflict Management – Service Supervisors address problems openly and objectively and bring substantial conflicts and disagreements into the open with the intention of resolving issues in an unemotional and constructive manner.
• Service Focus – Service Supervisors place great emphasis on creating customer loyalty by ensuring the highest value of service is always provided and by delivering on commitments to the customer.
• Planning & Priority Setting – Service Supervisors identify priorities and develop detailed action plans that include objectives, accountabilities, time frames, standards, review stages, and contingencies.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position may be designated as remote, hybrid, or fully in-office, depending on the needs of the role, office location, and Firm requirements.

Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience in general liability/insurance defense
• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Admitted in [State] (other states a plus)
• Experience participating in negotiations and mediations
• Superior analytical, research, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team