Field Counsel – McAllen, TX (Remote)

Job Family Summary:

The Litigation Services Attorney job family is responsible for managing Insurance Defense and Tort Litigation / Disputes work and related issues/matters

Value of Working at Client Legal Services:

• Provide great service to our clients and policy holders in their time of need to make a difference
• Great place to learn to try cases and handle litigation
• Ability to feel empowered to handle your own docket

Job Summary:

Represents insureds and the Company in the defense of bodily injury and property damage lawsuits, subrogation, and Allstate Financial cases. Prepares for and conducts hearings, trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions. Prepares and argues pre and post-trial motions. Assists colleagues in the resolution of calendar conflicts. Provides project management, coordination, and collaboration between legal teams within L&R and with business clients.  Conducts research, substantive drafting, reviewing, advising, and negotiating for more complex matters.  Provides budget oversight

Key Responsibilities:

Job Family Specific Responsibilities:

• Review new file assignments and approve  initial pleadings, propound discovery, and/or develop strategy
• Contacts clients to discuss their case and answer any questions. Maintains contact at a minimum of 90 days
• Contact claims (initial litigation plan, recurring minimum 90 day contact, strategy conferences, etc.)
• Review all documentary evidence
• Prepares witnesses and clients  for depositions, arbitrations, mediations and trials including expert witnesses
• Conducts depositions and examinations under oath and prepares summary documents
• Prepares and conducts court appearances (matter management conferences, hearings, status conferences, etc.)
• Conducts settlement/dispositive proceedings (e.g. mediations, arbitrations, etc.)
• Try and/or arbitrate cases and prepares motions in liminie and summary documents
• Draft post-trial motions
• Prepare for and participate in appeals
• Provide legal opinions to claims clients
• Investigate and pursue subrogation litigation as appropriate                                                                                   
• Second chair cases with Trial Attorneys and Senior Trial Attorneys as needed.                                                                                 
• Review and determine strategy for legal issues sent to home office
• Participate in business process reviews with claims clients

Key Responsibilities:

Common Responsibilities: 
Legal Advice and Counseling

• Perform due diligence; gather all relevant facts and documents; play a lead role in work with Law Clerks, Paralegals and/or other Attorneys in due diligence
• Conduct complex research and determine applicable and pertinent laws, statutes, regulations, rules, and other legal authority; identify legal issues and make strategic recommendations
• Monitor and review new laws, regulations, and case law; identify and summarize relevant issues; Collaborate with other areas of Law and Regulation department; Proactively provide advice and counsel to business unit on the impact of new laws on business
• Provide advice and/or legal approval related to company documents, policy, practices, and procedures
• Provide advice and counsel clients on emerging legal issues and risk
• Counsel clients on strategic initiatives and serve on project teams as needed to provide legal advice

Drafting and Negotiation

• Draft, review, and / or negotiate moderately complex matters and agreements 
• Draft and / or review non-routine correspondence and communications
• Review and revise business cases and supporting documentation

Business Knowledge and Acumen

• Gather facts from client to understand strategic goals and objectives client intends to achieve from intended action
• Work with business colleagues to develop and implement change
• Determine if/how business processes / practices need to be modified and play a lead role with client to implement change
• Determine extent of other Area of Responsibility involvement; Understand integration points and play a lead role with other areas of responsibility that may be impacted to manage change
• Recommend and obtain appropriate approval for resolution, if warranted
• Play a key role in strategy determination, action planning, and communication with client, business units, and other areas of Law and Regulation as appropriate

Project Management

• Lead project management initiatives for complex projects, including coordination, and collaboration between legal teams within Law and Regulation and with business clients, as appropriate

Management of Outside Counsel

• Perform bill/file reviews and perform budget oversight
• Evaluate and recommend if outside counsel should be retained
• Retain, supervise, manage, and coordinate work with Outside Counsel, if applicable

Interpersonal/Communication

• Attend board and committee meetings, as appropriate
• Participate in and prepare for meetings with external parties
• Participate in meetings with senior management team
• Participate in relevant external industry groups
   

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Experience:

Core Competencies 

• Intermediate skills/abilities/experiences in the following areas:  legal knowledge, business knowledge, issue management, analytical skills, influencing others, coaching and development, self development, and productivity

Other Requisites

• Possesses a juris doctorate and an license to practice law in TX (and/or other states as required)
• 7+ years related experience typical
• Computer skills, including MS Office suite, used in or related to the tasks performed
• Exercises discretion and maintains confidentiality of sensitive information
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Has relevant experience within a reputable law firm or an in-house legal department for a mid- to large-sized organization
• Insurance-industry experience preferred
• Knowledge of legal holds and discovery processes

Management & Supervisory Skills

• Budget management skills
• Project management skills and law firm/vendor management experience
• Able to interact with all levels of personnel and supervise/oversee the work of more junior resources
• Utilizes subject matter expertise to coach and guide less experienced team members
   

Notes:

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities. May be required to perform other related duties as assigned. Regular, predictable attendance is an essential function of this job.