Overview
About This Role
Location: Franklin TN, Hybrid
The Principal, Claims & Litigation, serves as Acadia's lead subject matter expert for complex liability claims and litigation matters. This role partners closely with the Director of Claims, Legal Department, Risk Management, and Operations leaders to manage professional liability, general liability, mass tort, multidistrict litigation (MDL), and other high-exposure matters. The positionis responsible fordeveloping litigationstrategy, directing outside counsel, evaluating risk exposure, supporting claim resolution efforts, andidentifyingopportunities to reduce organizational risk across the enterprise.
This role is designed for a legal and claims professional with attorney-level training and litigation experience. The position is not responsible forprovidinglegal advice on behalf of the organization and does not require an active law license.
Our Mission
At Acadia, we exist to Lead Care with Light. Every day, our teams help improve lives, inspire hope, and elevate communities through compassionate behavioral healthcare.
Compensation & Benefits
We value your expertise and dedication—and we invest in your success.
- Competitive Base Salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Plan with Company Match
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and recognized holidays
- Company-paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and mental wellness resources
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within Acadia’s nationwide network
Responsibilities
What you’ll do…
- Manage a portfolio of complex professional liability, general liability, and other litigation matters from claiminceptionthrough resolution.
- Review and analyze incident reports, investigations, medical records, pleadings, expert opinions, and other claim-related materials to evaluate liability, damages, and financial exposure.
- Develop litigation and settlement strategies in partnership with the Director of Claims, Legal Department, and outside counsel.
- Manage relationships with outside defense counsel, including case strategy, budgeting, performance expectations, and legalspendoversight.
- Participate in mediations, arbitrations, settlement conferences, and trials asappropriate.
- Negotiate claim resolutions and settlements within established authority levels.
- Support the management of mass tort and multidistrict litigation (MDL) matters, including claim analysis, document collection, discovery coordination, and defense strategy implementation.
- Coordinate litigation holds, document preservation efforts, and responses to discovery requests.
- Maintainaccuratedocumentation within claims management systems and prepare reporting on significant claims, litigation trends, and financial exposure.
- Collaborate with Risk Management, Quality, Clinical Operations, Human Resources, and Legal leaders toidentifytrends and implement risk mitigation strategies.
- Assistwith communications and reporting to insurance carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, and excess insurersregardingpending and threatened litigation.
- Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, and healthcare liability trends and provide recommendations to reduce organizational risk.
OTHER FUNCTIONS:
- Support special projects and investigations as assigned.
- Assistwith preparation of litigation summaries and executive-level reporting.
- Provide guidance and consultation to facility leadershipregardingclaims and litigation matters.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
STANDARD EXPECTATIONS:
- Complies withorganizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives, and confidentiality requirements.
- Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrates sound judgment and professionalism when handlinghighly sensitivematters.
- Maintains regular and predictable attendance.
Qualifications
What you'll bring...
Minimum
- Minimum 5 years of experience in claims management, insurance defense, healthcare litigation, medical malpractice, mass tort litigation, multidistrict litigation (MDL), complex civil litigation, or related areas.
- Strong litigation and claims managementexpertise.
- Knowledge of healthcare liability and risk management principles.
- Ability to evaluate legal, operational, financial, and reputational risk.
- Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to independently manage a high-volume portfolio of complex matters.
- Proficiencywith claims management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in at least one U.S.jurisdiction.
- Healthcare, behavioral healthcare, hospital, or medical malpractice experience.
- Mass tort and/or multidistrict litigation (MDL) experience.
- Experience managing outside counsel, litigation budgets, and settlement strategies.
- Experience working within a self-insured, captive, or high-retention risk environment.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to travel up to 15% of the time, including attendance at mediations, trials, facility visits, and business meetings.
Why Acadia?
When you join Acadia Healthcare, you become part of a team dedicated to improving lives through compassionate care and ethical leadership. We are committed to helping our employees grow professionally while making a meaningful difference for patients, families, and communities.
At Acadia, we:
- Lead Care with Light by supporting those who care for others.
- Set the standard for care through accountability and excellence.
- Lift and uplift one another through collaboration and respect.
- Innovate quickly to save lives by improving processes and outcomes.
- Succeed as one by working together toward a common purpose.
Acadia Healthcare is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.