Associate Attorney

Auto Club Group•Detroit, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

After in-office training is completed, this position will report to an office 1x per month. The Associate Attorney – AAA/The Auto Club Group reports to the Supervising Practice Leader. Under moderate supervision, this role handles litigation and cases of intermediate-level exposure and complexity in which the insured or the Company is a defendant. The Associate Attorney is able to transition from courts of limited exposure to courts of unlimited exposure. This role 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 these duties, a monthly cap on new case assignments is applied.

Requirements

Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school
Member of the State Bar of applicable state
Minimum two (2) years of litigation experience as a licensed attorney.
Knowledge of Civil law, judicial procedures and rules of evidence
Knowledge of Principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research
Knowledge of Discovery methods and techniques
Knowledge of Mediation rules, procedures and summaries
Knowledge of Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and the appropriate defenses to those theories
Knowledge of Insurance Law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law & Principles of bad faith actions
Knowledge of Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation
Knowledge of Michigan Court Rules and motion practice
Knowledge of Standard Jury instructions and drafting non-standard jury instructions where appropriate
Knowledge of Professional ethics relating to relationship of house counsel to insured
Knowledge of Techniques used to take depositions
Ability to Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, the general public and others in a work environment
Ability to Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms
Ability to Utilize office computer software including claims litigation management systems

Nice To Haves

Trial experience.
Experience in personal injury, no-fault, or insurance litigation.
Knowledge of Claims procedures and branch organizations
Knowledge of Michigan No Fault law, including current, significant case law
Skills and Ability to Maintain library budget, researching index systems, brief banks and intradepartmental statistics

Responsibilities

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.