Senior Staff Attorney, Insurance Defense

The Hartford; Brea (CA); Remote; USD 132,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) match

Annual incentive bonus

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Fitness reimbursement

Travel reimbursement

Phone reimbursement

Internet reimbursement

Job summary

The Hartford is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney based in California to handle auto and general liability matters from intake to trial. You will work remotely with occasional in-person appearances and collaborate with Claims to advise insureds.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years of relevant litigation, strong trial, writing and research skills, and a track record in premises, products, and auto defense. You will lead cases, manage strategy, and drive resolutions in a technology-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Domicile and active license to practice in California and ability to appear in applicable local state and federal courts.
• Member in good standing of the applicable Bar Association.
• 7 years of relevant litigation experience, including insurance defense and complex tort matters.
• Documented first-chair jury trial and/or appellate experience preferred.
• Strong legal writing, research, and persuasive advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload independently, prioritize deadlines, and exercise sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Manage an inventory of diverse insurance defense matters throughout the state from inception through trial or other resolution.
• Analyze substantive and procedural issues; conduct thorough legal research; and develop well-reasoned defense strategies.
• Draft and respond to pleadings, written discovery, dispositive motions, and briefs with minimal supervision.
• Take and defend depositions; work with experts; and prepare witnesses for testimony.
• Represent clients at trials, judicial hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and other ADR proceedings.
• Provide timely, practical legal advice and liability/damages evaluations to Claims and insured partners.
• Communicate effectively with courts, opposing counsel, witnesses, and co-counsel consistent with office procedures.
• Drive prompt, efficient disposition of assigned cases while maintaining high quality and customer service.

Skills

Litigation

Trial experience

Legal research

Legal writing

Case management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

Sr Staff Attorney - LM07DE

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future. The Hartford’s Staff Legal team is built for attorneys who want the depth and challenge of sophisticated litigation - with the stability, resources, and collaboration of an in-house practice. In this role, you’ll handle a variety of auto and general liability matters from early case assessment through trial, partnering closely with Claims and directly advising insureds. This Remote position is an ideal fit for a seasoned Attorney physically located in California with significant trial and litigation experience in Premises Liability, Products Liability, Construction Site accidents and Commercial/Personal Automobile accidents. If you’re known for sound judgment, strong courtroom presence, and the ability to move a case forward with confidence, this is an opportunity to apply your expertise. This role is primarily remote in the State of California except for occasional in-person appearances as needed.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• High-impact litigation: Handle a diverse tort inventory, including premises, products, general negligence, and auto.
• Real courtroom opportunity: Use your trial skills - prepare and present witnesses and evidence at trials, hearings, and ADR.
• In-house partnership model: Collaborate closely with claims partners and advise insureds directly.
• Lead the work: Be the lead attorney on your files - set strategy early, evaluate exposure, and drive resolution.
• Modern practice, modern tools: Leverage case management and approved technology - including progressive AI tools. Work from home day to day, with occasional in-person collaboration (approximately 2–4 times per year) and required appearances as the case demands.
• Total rewards you can feel: Medical, dental, vision, life; 401(k) with company match; Annual Incentive Bonus, paid holidays and paid time off; fitness reimbursement; reimbursed work-related travel/parking; company phone and standard internet reimbursement.
• Invested in your Growth: Ongoing training, mentorship, and development pathways are built in so you can expand your skills and take on greater responsibility.

What You’ll Do

• Manage an inventory of diverse insurance defense matters throughout the state from inception through trial or other resolution.
• Analyze substantive and procedural issues; conduct thorough legal research; and develop well-reasoned defense strategies.
• Draft and respond to pleadings, written discovery, dispositive motions, and briefs with minimal supervision.
• Take and defend depositions; work with experts; and prepare witnesses for testimony.
• Represent clients at trials, judicial hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and other ADR proceedings.
• Provide timely, practical legal advice and liability/damages evaluations to Claims and insured partners.
• Communicate effectively with courts, opposing counsel, witnesses, and co-counsel consistent with office procedures.
• Drive prompt, efficient disposition of assigned cases while maintaining high quality and customer service.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Domicile and active license to practice in California and ability to appear in applicable local state and federal courts.
• Member in good standing of the applicable Bar Association.
• 7 years of relevant litigation experience, including insurance defense and complex tort matters.
• Documented first-chair jury trial and/or appellate experience preferred.
• Strong legal writing, research, and persuasive advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and exercise sound judgment. Target case load of 50-55 files.
• Strong familiarity with Southern California courts and local practices.
• Highly organized, able to prioritize competing deadlines, and comfortable working in a technology-driven environment.

Additional details

This is a remote California-based position. Candidates must reside within the State of California to effectively support business and court-related requirements. From time to time, attorneys may be required to attend in-person court appearances, hearings, depositions, mediations, or other legal proceedings either throughout the state or within a reasonable commuting distance of their residence, depending on business needs and court requirements.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition.

The annualized base pay range for this role is: $132,400 - $198,600

Equal Opportunity Employer/Sex/Race/Color/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age