Senior Attorney

AAA-The Auto Club Group; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

AAA-The Auto Club Group is seeking a Senior Attorney to handle complex litigation with exposure for insureds and the company, including trial preparation, discovery, negotiation, and appeals. The role supports Claims with opinions and strategy across District to Circuit Court levels.

The position is primarily remote with office visits roughly every 6 weeks and occasional in-person court appearances; expect Mondays–Fridays 9am–5pm and a salary range highlighted by a competitive annual package.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Member of the state bar where applicable.
• Minimum five years of experience in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes and reviews claims to evaluate injury case disposition.
• Prepares responses to civil complaints and motions when liability is disputed.
• Conducts discovery including depositions, interrogatories, and requests for admission.
• Reviews insurance policies and pertinent documents.
• Coordinates investigators and service of subpoenas.
• Files additional motions as warranted by facts and timing.
• Reviews medical data and consults with specialists regarding injuries.
• Assesses settlement value based on discovery information.
• Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings and participates in jury selection.
• Prepares trial strategy and conducts defense, including opening and closing statements.
• Recommends appeals to the Appeals Committee when appropriate.
• Renders legal advice and opinions on coverage, liability and damages.
• Mentors less experienced attorneys.

Skills

Communication skills

Legal analysis

Litigation software

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Bar admission

Tools

Litigation management systems

Job description

Location Details

This is primarily a remote position reporting to an office roughly once every 6 weeks, in addition to any required in-person court appearances.

Job Type:

Full time

Exempt/Non Exempt:

Salary

Job Description:

Location Details:

This is primarily a remote position reporting to an office roughly once every 6 weeks, in addition to any required in-person court appearances.

Position Schedule

Monday- Friday 9am-5pm

Position Summary:

Uses advanced specialized knowledge to handle complex to highly complex litigation of cases of unlimited exposure in which the insured or the Company is a defendant. Controls all aspects of litigation, including trial preparation, discovery, negotiation, presentation and appeals from District to Circuit Court. Exercises discretion and judgment in performing all functions with minimal supervision. To support those duties, we are applying a monthly cap on new case assignments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyzes, files, reviews all allegations, and renders legal opinions to Claims personnel regarding evaluation and disposition of injury cases.
• Prepares responses to civil complaints, files and answers any appropriate motions when questions of law or liability are in dispute. Determines feasibility of including third-party defendants in pending suits.
• Conducts discovery, including but not limited to depositions, interrogatories, requests for admission, etc.
• Reviews insurance policy and all pertinent documents.
• Selects legal investigators and arranges for service of subpoenas and summonses.
• Files additional motions as facts of case and proper timing warrant.
• Reviews medical and related technical data; consults with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities.
• Analyzes information obtained through discovery and determines whether settlement is in best interests of insureds and the Company.
• Prepares uninsured/underinsured motorist cases for trial or arbitration hearings.
• Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings before judge and participates in conducts jury selection.

Trial and Defense

• Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing trial strategy for construction of a strong defense.
• Conducts defense of a case, by delivering opening statements, examining, and cross-examining witnesses, making and arguing motions, conferring with judges and attorneys, delivering closing arguments.
• Prepares trial briefs, encompassing the insured’s defense, applicable law, and jury instructions.
• Prepares summaries and appears before Case Evaluation Tribunal and/or Facilitator to advocate defendant’s case.
• Evaluates award and makes recommendation as to whether to accept or proceed to trial.

Client Communications And Negotiations:

• Keeps client advised of status of case in accordance with office guidelines and client satisfaction goals and consults with third-party clients regarding the litigation.
• Advises insured and recommends retention of independent counsel for potential “over-limits” judgment to protect insured’s assets.
• Negotiates reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of Company and insured, when and where possible.
• Applies cost/benefit considerations to all litigation activity.
• Advises payment of claims as appropriate.
• Coordinates trial or settlement activity with co-counsel, as necessary, to protect interest of insured.
• Recommends appeals to the Appeals Committee based on facts of cases and recovery chances.

Legal Advice And Guidance:

• Renders legal advice and legal opinions as requested by Claims personnel on coverage, liability and damages.
• Conducts Examinations Under Oath in consultation with Practice Leader.
• Participates in the Claims Legal Council Program on a regular basis.
• Participates in one or more office committees, either as a standing or rotating member.
• Mentors less experienced attorneys on legal matters within areas of his/her expertise.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Qualifications:

Required

Education (include minimum education and any licensing/certifications):

• Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school
• Member of the State Bar of applicable state

Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience as a licensed attorney in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation;
• or
• Three (3) years of experience as an Associate Attorney at ACG Staff Counsel with yearly performance reviews of overall Fully Met Expectations or higher.

Knowledge Of:

• Civil law, judicial procedures and rules of evidence
• Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research
• Discovery methods and techniques
• Mediation rules, procedures and summaries
• General Claims procedures
• Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and appropriate defenses.
• Insurance law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law and Principles of Bad Faith Actions
• Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation
• Policies for all lines of coverage
• Michigan Court Rules and motion practice
• Rules of evidence of proper techniques for introducing or excluding evidence
• Standard Jury Instructions and drafting nonstandard jury instructions where appropriate
• Problems in Professional Ethics relating to relationship of house counsel to insured
• Office standards and procedures
• Legal research and availability of research tools.

Skills And Ability To:

• Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, the general public and others in a work environment
• Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms
• Utilize office computer software including litigation management systems – update others

Preferred

Experience in:

• Trial experience.
• Experience in first-party no-fault, or auto insurance defense litigation

Knowledge Of:

• Defense trial practice demonstrated through in-depth research projects, self-education, seminars presentations, membership in related professional organizations or other activities.
• Company operations and quality of service, demonstrated by participation in Staff Counsel to enhance operations and services.
• Very favorable performance on Attorney Productivity/” Scorecard” metrics
• Michigan’s No-Fault Act and significant case law

Work Environment:

This is primarily a remote position reporting to an office roughly once every 6 weeks, in addition to any required in-person court appearances.

Compensation & Benefits Overview:

ACG complies with all applicable state and local laws regarding required benefits (including PTO, paid sick leave, etc.).

Compensation

Our Senior Attorney will earn a competitive annual salary of $119,000 - $150,000 with annual bonus potential, based on performance.

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Medical plans with multiple coverage options, including HSA eligibility.
• Prescription drug coverage.
• Dental and vision benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program (confidential support services).

Financial Protection & Insurance

• Company-paid basic life insurance.
• Optional supplemental life insurance and dependent coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Critical illness, accident, and pet insurance options.

Retirement & Savings

• 401(k) plan to support long-term financial goals. 3% automatic deferral upon eligibility; may contribute 1% to 50% of eligible earnings, either pre or post tax. Company match of 50% paid on employee contributions up to 6% of pay, payable to employees following the end of the year; immediate vesting. Additional company contribution of 4% of pay each pay day into your account; 100% vested after three (3) years of service.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) options.

Time Off & Leave

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Accrual-based, increases with tenure, eligible at 90 days of employment. Full-time new employees will receive up to 12 PTO days annually; accrual based on start date and may include additional PTO based on role and/or state & local requirements. Part-time employee PTO hours are calculated based upon the standard weekly hours the employee is scheduled to work and will accrue at a minimum of 3 hours per month.
• Paid Holidays: Full-time employees are eligible for 10 company-paid holidays annually, in addition to 1 mental health day, 2 floating holidays and 1 volunteer day. Holidays vary by business unit schedules. Part-time employees are eligible for 8 company-paid holidays annually, in addition