Staff Counsel

HICIX Hiscox Insurance Company Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Hiscox USA seeks an experienced Staff Counsel to build and lead California litigation efforts, focusing on defense of insureds in general liability matters. The role combines strategic lawyering with hands-on management of a new in-house office in Southern California.

The candidate will manage complex cases, coordinate with Legal and Claims teams, and drive cost-effective defense strategies while delivering exceptional client service. Hybrid work arrangement offered.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• Minimum 7–10 years of proven litigation experience in California insurance defense/personal injury.
• Ability to manage a significant caseload independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of California law and civil procedure; excellent research and writing.

Responsibilities

• Establish and operate the California Staff Counsel office, including hiring staff and deploying processes.
• Represent Hiscox policyholders in liability cases in California courts.
• Handle all phases of litigation from investigation to trial and appeal.
• Prepare pleadings, motions, discovery, depositions, and examinations.
• Implement e-discovery tools and case management systems to improve efficiency.
• Train lawyers and staff; monitor bar requirements and MCLE compliance.

Skills

Litigation management

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

State Bar of California

Tools

Case management software

e-discovery tools

Job description

Job Type: Permanent Build a brilliant future with Hiscox Job Title: Staff Counsel Department: Staff Counsel / Claims/Legal

Hiscox USA is a leading specialist insurer with origins dating back to 1901. It is part of the Hiscox Group, which has over 3,000 employees in 14 countries, and customers worldwide.

Job Description: Hiscox is hiring a lawyer to join its newly formed Staff Counsel organization in Southern California. This individual will act as counsel for all Staff Counsel office activities relating to the defense of lawsuits against Hiscox insureds in a wide variety of civil litigation matters in California state and federal courts, with a focus on general liability cases, and will assist in growing the firm. This role combines high-level legal strategy with operational management, ensuring that litigation is handled cost-effectively and in alignment with Hiscox’s Claims/Legal philosophy. Hiscox is seeking an entrepreneurial and driven senior lawyer to be a founding member of our new in-house litigation office in California. This is a unique opportunity to build a law practice from the ground up in alignment with Hiscox’s global brand and unique approach to litigation management. In this role, counsel will utilize their litigation experience and independent judgment to manage a caseload, develop legal strategies, and ensure the highest standards of client representation, while providing Hiscox customer's exceptional service.

Primary Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with Hiscox’s Legal and Claims teams, establish and operate Hiscox’s California Staff Counsel office, including hiring staff (lawyers and non-lawyers), developing processes and procedures, selecting and implementing software and other technology, all while supporting Hiscox’s strategic objectives.
• Represent Hiscox policyholders in liability cases in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction, throughout California.
• Handle all phases of litigation for assigned cases, from initial investigation to trials and appeals.
• Research laws and prepare legal briefs, opinions, and memoranda.
• Render opinions on liability, damage, and value as requested by Hiscox’s policyholders and Claims Department.
• Prepare and handle pleadings, motions, and discovery, including depositions and examinations before and during trial.
• Defend all assigned matters by trial, arbitration, or mediation, as applicable.
• Meet deadlines to respond to pleadings, and correspondence; appear timely in court, arbitrations, depositions, meetings, and other scheduled matters.
• Train and assist other lawyers and staff, including assisting lawyers as first and second chair counsel, and/or observing lawyers at trials and arbitrations; monitor all applicable bar requirements including Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“MCLE”) requirements; review and provide feedback on quality of file handling.
• Travel to attend trials, hearings, arbitrations, depositions, management meetings, and conferences.
• Identify and implement opportunities for processes automation, workflow enhancements and efficient digital case management consistent with Hiscox strategy and business objectives.
• Review office reports and data to improve office statistics, including resolved ratios, subrogation results and timeliness of reporting to the Claims Department.
• Act as a strategic liaison between the Legal and Claims departments to ensure litigation goals align with business priorities.
• Implement e-discovery tools, case management systems, and process automation to enhance workflow efficiency and reduce legal expenses.
• Conduct and/or review staff performance appraisals.
• Initiate or approve salary adjustments, performance ratings, and other personnel changes.

Job Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of California (standing in additional jurisdictions is advantageous).
• Minimum 7-10 years of proven litigation experience within the area of California insurance defense/personal injury litigation.
• Ability to manage a significant case load independently and effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Strong working knowledge of California law and civil procedure, particularly as it relates to personal injury and other general liability cases.
• Outstanding legal research, writing, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Expertise in legal case management software, e-discovery tools and other litigation focused technologies.
• An “ownership mentality,” with the ability to drive work forward independently.
• Refined business acumen used to seize opportunities and create a highly functional, efficient, and effective law firm.
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing “phenomenal service” to internal and external clients.

Hiscox Values:

• Courage: Dare to take a risk
• Ownership: Passionate, commercial and accountable
• Integrity: Do the right thing, however hard
• Connected: Together, build something better
• Human: Clear, fair and inclusive

What Hiscox USA Offers:

• Competitive salary and bonus (based on personal & company performance)
• 401(k) with competitive company matching
• Comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental and FSA plans (medical, limited purpose, and dependent care)
• Company paid group term life, short- term disability and long-term disability coverage
• 24 Paid time off days, 2 Hiscox Days, 10 paid holidays, and ability to purchase 5 PTO days
• Paid parental leave
• 4 week paid sabbatical after every 5 years of service
• Financial Adoption Assistance and Medical Travel Reimbursement Programs
• Annual reimbursement up to $600 for health club membership or fees associated with any fitness program
• Company paid subscription to Headspace to support employees’ mental health and wellbeing
• Recipient of 2024 Cigna’s Well-Being Award for having a best-in-class health and wellness program

Dynamic, creative and values-driven culture Modern and open office spaces, complimentary drinks

Please note that this position is hybrid and requires two (2) days in our office weekly

Salary range: $148-$215k

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.