Assistant General Counsel - Claims & Litigation

Ferguson Enterprises•Tampa, FL

23h•Remote

About The Position

Ferguson is hiring an Assistant General Counsel to serve as dedicated in-house litigation counsel for the company’s liability claims and defense strategy. Reporting to senior legal leadership, this role handles liability and construction defect disputes, oversees external defense counsel, directs case strategy throughout claims administration and litigation, and provides proactive legal guidance to internal partners to help mitigate organizational risk. The position is approved for remote work and is preferably based in Florida. Travel as needed for depositions, mediations, trials, and site visits is required, as is periodic travel to corporate headquarters in Newport News, Virginia, and/or Tampa, Florida.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association.
Active license and membership in good standing in at least one state bar.
At least five years of litigation experience, with considerable focus on leading and handling auto, general, and product liability matters, including interaction with third-party claims administrators.
Proven experience handling material litigation events, including depositions, dispositive motions, alternative dispute resolution, and trial preparation.
Experience working with third-party administrators (TPAs) and claims management systems.
Experience with multi-jurisdictional litigation.
Sound legal and business judgment, with the ability to provide practical, risk-calibrated counsel to operational leaders.
Strong communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of corporate management.
Ability to present clearly to groups and lead internal training and preventative education programs.
Analytical rigor and sound judgment in confrontational or high-stakes disputes.
Excellent project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and drive multiple complex matters simultaneously.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently in a remote environment.
Proficiency in legal technology, matter management systems, and standard business software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Prior corporate in-house experience handling high-volume or high-exposure claim portfolios for a national distributor, manufacturer, or retailer; experience at a law firm or public agency leading complex tort defense and outside counsel relationships will also be considered.
Significant product liability experience is highly preferred.
Familiarity with building products, plumbing, HVAC, or industrial distribution operations and supply-chain logistics is ideal.

Responsibilities

Handle high-volume claims administration and case strategy for auto, general, and product liability, and construction defect claims.
Advise and supervise external defense counsel and third-party administrators; manage litigation deadlines; and review pleadings, discovery, motions, and significant correspondence to maintain consistent case strategy.
Attend and represent the company’s interests at material depositions, mediations, arbitrations, settlement conferences, and trials.
Report on auto, general, and product liability, construction defect, and related tort litigation; establish benchmarks; monitor litigation budgets; and track financial metrics.
Advise management, business units, and legal leadership on preventative options and risk-mitigation strategies.
Conduct and take responsibility for internal claims investigations, and prepare official responses to third parties, regulatory bodies, and opposing counsel.
Evaluate, tender, and respond to tenders of defense and indemnification agreements with vendors, manufacturers, and insurers, as appropriate.
Persuasively present the company’s position to third parties, including opposing counsel, investigative agencies, and auditors.
Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal service delivery through preventative measures, including early issue identification, analysis, and dispute resolution.
Communicate effectively and maintain professional, supportive relationships with company associates, witnesses, external counsel, and business partners.