Senior In-House Counsel & Assistant Secretary (Litigation)

Northwestern Mutual; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 176,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Concierge service

Comprehensive benefits

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Northwestern Mutual is seeking an experienced in-house counsel to lead a portfolio of complex civil disputes from intake through resolution. You will set strategy with internal clients and outside counsel and help drive scalable litigation risk management across the enterprise.

You will coordinate discovery, prepare executives for depositions, and oversee all pleadings—ensuring alignment with company objectives and risk tolerance while managing outside counsel budgets.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience practicing complex civil litigation with significant responsibility for strategy, discovery, and resolution.
• J.D. with admission to at least one U.S. jurisdiction; Wisconsin license or commitment within first year.

Responsibilities

• Serve as in-house counsel on a portfolio of complex disputes, partnering with business clients to understand facts, objectives, and risk posture.
• Develop and execute litigation strategy with outside counsel, including case assessments, discovery, motions, and trial preparation.
• Lead and oversee all phases of discovery (including eDiscovery) with custodians, IT, and outside counsel; ensure timely production.
• Prepare executives and employees for depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial testimony; coordinate messaging with outside counsel.
• Oversee pleadings and briefs to ensure accuracy and alignment with strategy.
• Evaluate settlement options; lead negotiations and document outcomes for improvement.
• Partner with Law Department and business leaders to assess and mitigate exposure; manage outside counsel budgets.

Skills

Civil litigation

Case strategy

Discovery management

Outside counsel

Deposition prep

Executive communication

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bar admission in Wisconsin

Job description

Northwestern Mutual is seeking an experienced in-house counsel to lead a portfolio of complex civil disputes from intake through resolution. You will set strategy with internal clients and outside counsel and help drive scalable litigation risk management across the enterprise.

You will coordinate discovery, prepare executives for depositions, and oversee all pleadings—ensuring alignment with company objectives and risk tolerance while managing outside counsel budgets.