Senior Manager, Litigation

American Family Insurance Group; Wisconsin; Remote; USD 150,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Comprehensive benefits package

New Employee Orientation

Job summary

American Family Insurance seeks a Senior Manager, Litigation to oversee complex matters and lead a team of attorneys. You will partner with outside counsel, shape strategies, and protect the interests of insureds and the company.

The role is primarily home-based with residency within the Madison, WI area, offering relocation support for eligible candidates. Expect high responsibility, strategic leadership, and collaboration with senior leadership to influence the litigation function across the

Qualifications

• Demonstrated effective leadership skills.
• Demonstrated civil trial experience.
• Demonstrated experience with tort law and insurance contracts.
• Extensive knowledge of Professional Responsibility rules.
• Bar admission in the practice state or within a short latency.
• Experience leading outside counsel relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead litigation strategy for complex, high-exposure matters.
• Direct and manage outside counsel relationships and costs.
• Assess litigation exposure and decide on trials, settlements, or other resolutions.
• Continuously analyze risk for insureds and the company.
• Oversee work of staff and outside counsel to ensure quality and ethics.
• Serve as strategic advisor to attorneys and senior leadership.
• Develop high-performing teams with coaching and feedback.
• Collaborate with leaders to advance litigation priorities.
• Promote integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Civil trial experience

Tort law knowledge

Insurance contracts knowledge

Professional Responsibility

Outside counsel management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission within 60 days / timely admission

Job description

As a Senior Manager, Litigation, you will serve as a strategic leader responsible for overseeing complex litigation matters, managing legal risk, and driving excellence in case outcomes. This role combines legal expertise, leadership, and business acumen to ensure high-quality representation while protecting the interests of both our insureds and the organization. You will lead a team of attorneys responsible for supervising outside counsel in the management of some of the most complex cases. You will report to a director, legal.

In this primarily home-based position, candidates must reside within 35-50 miles of one of the following locations: Madison, WI; Boston, MA; Hopkins, MN; Keene; NH; Atlanta, GA.

Position Compensation Range:

$150,000.00 - $255,000.00

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographic work location. Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates.

Primary Accountabilities

• Lead Litigation Strategy
  Direct and influence legal strategies for complex, high-exposure litigation matters. Partner with staff attorneys and outside counsel to develop effective approaches, evaluate risks, and drive optimal case outcomes.
• Manage Outside Counsel Relationships
  Select, negotiate, and manage partnerships with outside law firms and litigation vendors, ensuring exceptional service, cost effectiveness, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Drive Resolution Decisions
  Evaluate litigation exposure and business impact to determine whether cases should be tried, settled, or otherwise resolved. Exercise settlement authority and provide guidance on high-stakes decisions.
• Assess and Mitigate Legal Risk
  Continuously analyze litigation trends, case developments, and potential exposures to proactively manage risk for both insureds and the company.
• Ensure Excellence in Representation
  Oversee legal work performed by staff counsel and outside counsel to ensure representation meets the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and compliance with applicable legal and ethical requirements.
• Provide Trusted Legal Leadership
  Serve as a strategic advisor on complex legal matters, offering insight, guidance, and expertise to attorneys, business partners, and senior leadership.
• Lead and Develop High-Performing Teams
  Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, trust, and inclusion. Set clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and support the professional growth and development of team members.
• Influence Across the Organization
  Partner with department and division leaders to advance strategic priorities, champion organizational initiatives, and help shape the future direction of the litigation function.
• Champion Company Values
  Actively support the organization's mission, vision, and values while promoting a culture built on integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Specialized Knowledge & Skills Requirements

• Demonstrated effective leadership skills.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer-driven solutions, support or service.
• Demonstrated civil trial experience.
• Demonstrated experience dealing with issues related to (i) tort law, (ii) litigation practice, and (iii) property and casualty insurance contracts, law and regulation.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of rules of Professional Responsibility for the jurisdiction in which they practice.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of tort, contract, and insurance law.
• Admitted to the state bar in the state where they are located or (1) admission to the bar within one year of hire for individuals who must pass a bar exam or portions of a bar exam to be admitted or (2) bar admission as soon as practicable but no later than 60 days of hire for individuals with diploma privilege or who are eligible for in-house counsel registration.
• Juris Doctor

Additional Specialized Knowledge & Skills

• Previous experience leading outside counsel.
• Coverage experience preferred.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 50%.

Physical Requirements

• Work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Working Conditions

• Not Applicable.

Additional Information

• To ensure a strong start, all employees participate in our New Employee Orientation during their first week. This experience is held in person at our Madison, WI Headquarters or one of our AmFam core locations to help you connect with our mission, meet key team members and build relationships that support your growth. At times, sessions may be delivered virtually based on scheduling and availability.
• Offer to selected candidate will be made contingent on the results of applicable background checks
• Offer to selected candidate is contingent on signing a non-disclosure agreement for proprietary information, trade secrets, and inventions
• Sponsorship will not be considered for this position unless specified in the posting

We provide benefits that support your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. You will have access to comprehensive medical, dental, vision and wellbeing benefits that enable you to take care of your health. We also offer a competitive 401(k) contribution, a pension plan, an annual incentive, 9 paid holidays and a paid time off program (23 days accrued annually for full-time employees). In addition, our student loan repayment program and paid-family leave are available to support our employees and their families. Interns and contingent workers are not eligible for American Family Insurance Group benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws pertaining to non-discrimination, non-harassment and equal opportunity. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

American Family Insurance is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please email [e-mail] to request a reasonable accommodation.