Associate Attorney

Job Type:

Full time

Exempt/Non Exempt:

Salary

Job Description:

This is primarily a remote position reporting to an office roughly once every 6 weeks, in addition to any required in-person court appearances.

Associate Attorney - AAA/The Auto Club Group

Reports to: Supervising Practice Leader

Under moderate supervision, handle litigation and cases of intermediate-level exposure and complexity in which the insured or the Company is a defendant. Able to transition from courts of limited exposure to courts of unlimited exposure. Develops and applies skills to control all aspects of litigation, including trial preparation, discovery, negotiation, presentation and appeals from District to Circuit Court. To support those duties, we are applying a monthly cap on new case assignments.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (details of the basic job functions):

• Reviews and analyzes files, insurance policies, all allegations and pertinent medical and technical data.
• Consults with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities. Prepares responses to civil complaints, files and answers any appropriate motions when questions of law or liability are in dispute.
• Determines feasibility of including third-party defendants in pending suits.
• Selects legal investigators and arranges for service of subpoenas and summonses.
• Files additional motions as facts of case and proper timing warrant.
• Conducts discovery depositions; formulates interrogatories.
• Under moderate supervision of a Practice Leader, conducts examinations under oath.
• Analyzes information obtained through discovery and determines whether settlement is appropriate within his/her authority according to the Company guidelines.
• Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing trial strategy for construction of a strong defense. Participates in jury selection.
• Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings before judge. Conducts defense of case, including delivery of opening statement, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, makes and argues motions, confers with judges and attorneys, delivers closing argument; prepares trial brief which includes insured's defense, applicable law, and jury instructions, when appropriate.
• Prepares mediation summaries and appears before Mediation Tribunal to advocate defendant's case. Evaluates award and makes decision as to whether to accept or go to trial within his/her authority.
• Prepares uninsured motorist cases for arbitration hearings.
• Researches all pertinent documents and data; presents cases before arbitration tribunals.
• Keeps client advised of status of case in accordance with office guidelines and client satisfaction goals and consults with third-party clients regarding litigation against them, particularly as to its effect on their personal assets.
• Advises insured and refers to independent counsel to protect insured's assets in event of an "over-limits" judgment as required.
• Coordinates trial or settlement activity with co-counsel, as necessary, to protect interest of insured.
• Applies cost/benefit considerations to all litigation activity in conjunction with evaluation with supervisor.
• Negotiates reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of Company and insured, when and where possible.
• Consults with senior-level Attorneys on more complex cases when necessary. Recommends to Appeals Committee whether judgments should be appealed based upon facts of cases and chances of recovery.
• Prepares memorandums and presents cases to Appeals Committee or Executive Committee.
• With approval from Practice Leader, renders legal advice and opinions to branch claim personnel as requested.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

How you will benefit:

• Our Associate Attorney will earn a competitive annual salary of $95,000 - $115,000 with annual bonus potential, based on performance.

• Excellent and comprehensive benefits packages are just another reason to work for the Auto Club Group. Benefits include:
  
  • 401k Match
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO
  • Paid Holidays
  • Tuition Reimbursement

Required Qualifications (these are the minimum requirements to qualify)

Education (include minimum education and any licensing/certifications):

• Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school
• Member of the State Bar of applicable state

Experience in:

• Minimum two (2) years of litigation experience as a licensed attorney.

Knowledge of:

• Civil law, judicial procedures and rules of evidence
• Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research
• Discovery methods and techniques
• Mediation rules, procedures and summaries
• Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and the appropriate defenses to those theories
• Insurance Law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law & Principles of bad faith actions
• Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation
• Michigan Court Rules and motion practice
• Standard Jury instructions and drafting non-standard jury instructions where appropriate
• Professional ethics relating to relationship of house counsel to insured
• Techniques used to take depositions

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, the general public and others in a work environment
• Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms
• Utilize office computer software including claims litigation management systems

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in:

• Trial experience.
• Experience in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation.

Knowledge of:

• Claims procedures and branch organizations
• Michigan No Fault law, including current, significant case law

Skills and Ability to:

• Maintain library budget, researching index systems, brief banks and intradepartmental statistics

Work Environment

This is primarily a remote position reporting to an office roughly once every 6 weeks, in addition to any required in-person court appearances. This position is currently able to work remotely from a home office location for day-to-day operations unless occasional travel for meetings, collaborative activities, or team building activities is specified by leadership. This is subject to change based on amendments and/or modifications to the ACG Flex Work policy.

Important Note:

The above statements describe the principle and essential functions, but not all functions that may be inherent in the job. This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants, as needed, to enable them to fulfil these requirements.