Product Liability Counsel

Yamaha Motor; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) and Profit Sharing

Fertility Benefits

37.5 hour work-week

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life and AD&D Insurance

Wellness Program

Short-Term Disability Coverage

Long-Term Disability

Student Debt Repayment Benefits

Ability to borrow Yamaha product

Job summary

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is seeking a Product Liability Legal Counsel to join the Legal Division in Kennesaw, GA. The role involves independently managing and resolving product liability issues, claims and litigation to minimize risk and exposure for the organization.

You will oversee national product litigation, select and manage outside counsel, develop witnesses, and prepare strategy and budgets. Domestic and international travel is required, with collaboration across U.S.

Qualifications

• JD required with Georgia State Bar membership (implied by role).
• Proven experience in product liability litigation defense.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization and Japanese parent organization.

Responsibilities

• Manage national product litigation and outside counsel selection/management.
• Develop factual records and prepare witnesses for deposition and trial.
• Develop cost-effective resolution strategies for cases.
• Create and implement product liability prevention policies and mitigation plans.
• Provide regular litigation activity reports to management, insurance carriers, and business units.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Legal counseling

Strategy execution

Travel readiness

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Yamaha has an excellent opportunity for a Product Liability Legal Counsel to join the Legal Division in Kennesaw, GA. In this role you will independently manage and resolve product liability issues, claims and litigation to minimize legal risks and exposure to the organization.

What you'll be doing:

• Manage national product litigation, primarily including selection and management of outside counsel.
• Fact development, both internal and external to Yamaha.
• Selection of witnesses, including internal and expert witnesses.
• Preparation of witnesses for deposition and trial testimony.
• Develop cost effective resolution strategies.
• Develop and implement product liability prevention policies and mitigation strategies.
• Provide written reports of litigation activities on all cases managed by legal counsel. Share information on such reports with management and applicable insurance carrier, as well as responsible individuals within the United States and Japan business units.
• Prepare budgets on individual cases and projects. Review, monitor and control outside counsel and expert expenses reporting to Deputy General Counsel.
• Support electronic discovery and record retention programs working with business units to streamline processing, review and production.
• Review programs, advertising, bulletins and other written sales, marketing and advertising materials and policies prior to dissemination to minimize possible legal exposure. Determine sales, marketing and advertising goals for sales groups and provide legal support as appropriate to minimize product liability risk thereby meeting product group goals while complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Handle other legal issues within general legal framework.

What you need to be successful:

• Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school and Georgia State Bar membership.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in product liability litigation defense.
• Proven legal counseling experience and strategy execution.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with the ability to interact seamlessly with all levels of organization, management and Japanese parent organization (both external and internal).
• Ability to manage outside counsel and direct strategy as developed.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Domestic and international travel required.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and underrepresented minorities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Yamaha, we understand that talent comes in various forms; as such, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

What’s in it for you

• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Fertility Benefits
• 37.5 hour work-week
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Short-Term Disability Coverage (for hourly roles)
• Long-Term Disability
• Student Debt Repayment Benefits
• Ability to borrow Yamaha product

Reports to: SVP General Counsel & Reg Compliance Officer

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, veteran or disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.