Bodily Injury Attorney-Insurance Defense

State Farm•Fort Lauderdale, FL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

State Farm’s staff counsel office, Nick J. Ryan & Associates, is seeking an Attorney for its Fort Lauderdale Claim Litigation office. The position provides legal services to State Farm and its customers, with attorneys responsible for owning their cases, participating in litigation events, and meeting with clients. The office encourages collaboration and provides support staff while attorneys retain ownership of their files. Because attorneys are not billed by the hour, they can focus on trial strategy and case development throughout litigation. The role is hybrid, requiring work both in the office and virtually; arrangements may change based on business needs. The current office is at 110 S. E. 6th Street, 110 Tower, Suite 2100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. A move to 900 S. Pine Island, Plantation, FL 33324 is tentatively planned for the first quarter of 2027. Attorneys handle litigation and other legal assignments under Law Department guidelines, prepare and summarize reports for proceedings, develop trial strategy and cases, and attend trials, mediations, depositions, and hearings. Travel to job-related activities by personal or commercial transportation is an essential function, and irregular hours may be required. Applicants must be eligible to work lawfully in the United States immediately; State Farm will not sponsor applicants. Except for authorized and pro bono work, State Farm attorneys may not handle legal business outside the company, and candidates must end outside practice and suit involvement before joining State Farm. The potential starting salary range is $117,500 to $160,000, based on skills, background, and experience. The high end is limited to applicants with significant relevant experience. Potential yearly incentive pay has a target of 16% and a maximum potential of 24%.

Requirements

At least 3 years of litigation experience.
Knowledge of local and state discovery rules, trial procedures, and applicable substantive law commensurate with experience.
Trial, mediation, and deposition experience.
Ability to maintain file ownership.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work efficiently with cases in electronic form.
Working knowledge of a case management system and a document storage system.
Law degree from an A.B.A.-accredited law school with excellent academic credentials.
Active license to practice law in Florida and membership in good standing with the State Bar of Florida.
Must be eligible to work lawfully in the United States immediately; sponsorship is not available.
Must cease outside legal practice and suit involvement before joining State Farm, except for authorized and pro bono work.

Nice To Haves

Litigation experience in insurance defense involving bodily injury, medical malpractice, or personal injury; experience as an Assistant Public Defender or Assistant State Attorney is also relevant.
Jury trial experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Handle litigation and other legal assignments in accordance with Law Department guidelines.
Prepare and summarize reports for proceedings.
Develop trial strategy and cases.
Attend litigation events, including trials, mediations, depositions, and hearings.
Own and manage assigned files and meet with clients.

Benefits

Competitive compensation, annual raises, and potential incentive pay.
Health and wellbeing programs; State Farm pays most of the healthcare premium and offers multiple medical plan options, including a high-deductible plan.
Medical plans provide 100% coverage for in-network preventive care; vision, dental, telemedicine, and 24/7 mental health professionals are available.
Educational benefits, including training programs and tuition assistance.
Employee resource groups and mentoring.
Fertility, IVF, and adoption assistance; college coaching; national discount programs; financial workshops and coaching.
Time-off policies, initially up to 20 days annually, parental leave, paid holidays, a celebration day, life leave, bereavement leave, and community service and education support days.
Matching Gift Program, Good Neighbor Grant Program, and Employee Assistance Fund.
401(k) plan with company contributions of up to 7% of salary.
Free financial advisors and access to the State Farm Federal Credit Union.