Senior Counsel, Employment Litigation

Government Employees Insurance Company; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 166,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

GEICO is seeking an experienced Senior Counsel in Employment Litigation to independently manage a high-volume portfolio of complex matters and provide practical, business-focused counsel to executives and internal stakeholders in a hybrid Bethesda, MD setting.

You will lead outside counsel, drive strategy across investigations, discovery, and trial, and mentor junior lawyers while balancing risk with business goals. This is a senior in-house role with broad influence across the organization.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8+ years of legal experience, including substantial employment litigation.
• Ability to independently manage complex employment litigation from inception through resolution.
• Experience advising business clients on compliance, litigation risk, and workplace disputes.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience directing outside counsel and managing budgets.
• Excellent analytical, written, verbal, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a high-volume portfolio of complex employment litigation matters and mediations.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, and leaves matters.
• Coordinate all phases of litigation: investigation, discovery, motion practice, mediation, trial prep, settlement, appeals.
• Lead outside counsel and litigation vendors, including oversight of strategy, budgets, staffing, and performance.
• Draft and review pleadings, statements, settlement agreements, and other litigation documents.

Skills

Employment litigation experience

Litigation strategy

Counseling stakeholders

Legal analytics

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar license active

Tools

Legal technology

AI-enabled tools

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 seeking an experienced employment attorney to join its Employment Litigation team within the Employment Law Group. Reporting to the Senior Director, Employment Litigation, the Senior Counsel, Employment Litigation will be primarily responsible for independently managing a high-volume portfolio of employment litigation matters, administrative charges, mediations, and pre-litigation disputes. The role serves as a key legal advisor to business leaders, People Group partners, and internal stakeholders while providing practical, business-focused counsel on employment law risks and dispute resolution strategies. The ideal candidate will have substantial employment litigation experience in a law firm, government agency, and/or large in‑house legal department. The successful candidate will possess strong litigation judgment, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to independently handle complex matters while balancing legal risk against business objectives. The Senior Counsel will serve as a subject matter expert in employment litigation and partner closely with business clients to identify, mitigate, and resolve workplace risks.

Key Responsibilities

Employment Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Independently manage a high-volume portfolio of complex employment litigation matters, administrative charges, mediations, and pre-litigation disputes.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies for matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, leaves and accommodations, and other employment-related claims.
• Coordinate all phases of litigation, including investigation, discovery, motion practice, mediation, trial preparation, settlement negotiations, and appeals.
• Lead outside counsel and litigation vendors, including oversight of strategy, budgets, staffing, and performance.
• Draft and review complex pleadings, position statements, settlement agreements, legal analyses, and other litigation-related documents with minimal supervision.
• Anticipate legal risks and emerging trends and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Analyze litigation and administrative charge trends and provide recommendations to reduce organizational risk and improve outcomes.

Legal Counseling & Business Partnership

• Balance legal risk against business objectives and provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice.
• Counsel stakeholders regarding investigations, performance management, accommodations, leave issues, separations, and other employment matters that may create litigation risk.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations affecting the company's workforce.
• Provide proactive legal counseling designed to minimize litigation exposure and support effective business decision-making.

Subject Matter Expertise & Strategic Support

• Serve as a subject matter expert in employment litigation and dispute resolution.
• Analyze legal developments and emerging trends and advise stakeholders regarding potential business impacts.
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving legal, regulatory, compliance, operational, and workforce matters.
• Support the development and implementation of policies, processes, templates, training materials, and other initiatives designed to mitigate litigation risk and improve legal service delivery.
• Recommend process improvements that increase consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness across the Employment Law Group.
• Assist with strategic projects and initiatives impacting workplace legal risk and compliance.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Influence outcomes through legal expertise, credibility, and relationship-building.
• Mentor Counsel-level attorneys and provide guidance on substantive legal issues and litigation strategy.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal clients, colleagues, regulators, and outside counsel.
• Collaborate across business functions to develop practical, risk-based solutions that support company objectives.
• Contribute to a culture of operational excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 8+ years of legal experience, including substantial experience handling employment litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex employment litigation matters from inception through resolution.
• Significant experience advising business clients on employment law compliance, litigation risk, and workplace disputes.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Experience directing outside counsel and managing litigation strategy and budgets.
• Exceptional analytical, written, verbal, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to evaluate complex legal issues involving competing considerations and deliver practical, business-focused recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility and trust with business leaders and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• In-house employment law experience.
• Insurance industry experience.
• Experience conducting, managing, or advising on workplace investigations.
• Experience leveraging legal technology, data analytics, AI-enabled tools, or workflow automation to improve efficiency and legal service delivery.
• Experience supporting large, multi-state employers and advising on complex workforce-related legal issues.
• Experience handling class, collective, or representative employment actions.

Location

• Hybrid: This position is a hybrid role and will require three days working onsite in the Bethesda, Maryland office.

Annual Salary

Annual Salary $166,050.00 - $260,350.00 The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.

At this time, GEICO will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

GEICO Pledge

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, colour, 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.

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.

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