Job SummaryThe Counsel and COE Lead, Litigation is a key member of the Law and Business Environment (LBE) team, responsible for leading Acuity's day-to-day litigation across product liability, employment, commercial, and intellectual property matters. This role acts as a strategic legal partner to product, engineering, quality, and customer experience teams, providing practical, business-oriented guidance in a fast-paced environment.
This individual will play a critical role in managing risk, improving litigation processes, and driving consistency across legal operations, while working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. The role reports to the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Legal Centers of Expertise (COEs).
This is a hybrid role based in Atlanta, GA, with an expectation of 2-3 days per week in the office.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)Litigation Management- Manage a portfolio of litigation matters from intake through resolution, including product liability, employment, commercial, and IP cases
- Retain and oversee outside counsel; lead strategy, budgeting, discovery, and motion practice
- Assess liability exposure and support settlement strategy and negotiations
- Provide clear, concise updates to legal leadership and business stakeholders
Product Liability & Product Safety- Lead product liability claims and litigation, including insured and uninsured matters
- Serve as the primary legal contact for product safety incidents, investigations, and escalations
- Partner with product, engineering, quality, and post-sales teams to assess risk and determine response strategies
- Support regulatory responses, recalls, field actions, and safety-related matters
- Manage warranty disputes, subrogation matters, and customer escalations tied to product performance or safety
Business Partnership & Process Improvement- Act as a trusted advisor to cross-functional business partners, providing practical, solution-oriented legal guidance
- Identify trends and recommend proactive improvements in product design, risk mitigation, and business processes
- Enhance processes for managing product incidents, claims, and litigation
- Contribute to internal playbooks, guidelines, and training related to product liability and claims response
Additional Legal Support- Support other legal and strategic initiatives as needed
Skills and Minimum Experience RequiredExperience & Education- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
- 5+ years of litigation experience
- Product liability experience strongly preferred
- Experience at a major law firm and/or in-house at a publicly traded company preferred
- Abiltiy to work onsite in our Atlanta office 2-3 days/week
- Abiltiy to travel as needed
Core Capabilities- Strong expertise in litigation strategy, case management, and risk assessment
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills
- Proven ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Skilled at influencing stakeholders and translating legal risk into practical business solutions
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with executive presence
Collaboration & Leadership- Builds trusted, cross-functional relationships and operates as a strategic business partner
- Demonstrates sound judgment, high emotional intelligence, and accountability
- Drives continuous improvement and contributes to scalable, efficient legal processes
Technical & Innovation Mindset- Proficient with legal technology, research tools, and matter management systems
- Embraces emerging technologies and innovative approaches to improve legal operations and efficiency
