Chief Trial Attorney, General Liability

Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.•Irvine, CA

63d•$175,000 - $210,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich North America Claims is seeking a Chief General Liability Attorney to join their team. This role is based in Orange County, CA, and operates under a hybrid work model that balances flexibility for individual work with in-person collaboration. The Chief Trial Attorney will represent the Company's insureds in all phases of litigation for matters of the highest technical complexity, protecting their interests and striving for the best outcomes. This includes case handling, trial preparation and presentation, legal analysis, research, drafting pleadings, managing discovery, and participating in hearings and trials. The role also involves documenting case files, collaborating with claims adjusters on strategy, ensuring customer service through proactive communication, utilizing alternative dispute resolution techniques, maintaining professional knowledge, and serving as a technical resource and mentor to other attorneys. The attorney will also identify opportunities for process improvements and ensure legal compliance while maintaining confidentiality.

Requirements

Juris Doctor and 10 or more years of experience in the Litigation area
Extensive experience handling complex liability litigation, including trials, arbitrations, and mediations
Strong record of successful jury trial outcomes, preferably in insurance defense or liability matters
Member of the California Bar in good standing
Experience with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe
Experience with Lexis or Westlaw
Knowledge of the insurance industry, claims and the insurance defense litigation legal environment
Knowledge of the law and procedure

Nice To Haves

Effective communication skills
Effective information technology skills
Strong negotiation skills
Experience working in a team-based environment
Strong collaboration skills
Effective problem solving and analytical skills

Responsibilities

Achieving best outcomes for clients by demonstrating a high level of technical expertise in case handling, trial preparation and presentation for cases of the highest level of complexity.
Driving positive results by correctly applying the law and legal trends, conducting legal analysis and research, preparing legal pleadings and documents, preparing for and managing pre-trial discovery, and participating in judicial or administrative hearings and trials.
Documenting case files by accurately capturing and updating relevant information in compliance with best practices.
Working to have a timely resolution to matters by collaborating with the claims adjuster, developing a case strategy and escalating issues as appropriate.
Ensuring customer service to clients by proactively communicating information; responding to inquiries; and following customer protocols.
Determining and implementing alternative dispute resolution techniques as appropriate, by using effective mediation and negotiation skills within authority limit.
Maintaining professional and technical knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, staying current with industry trends, establishing personal networks and participating in professional societies.
Contributing to the team effort by accomplishing related results and collaborating on matters as needed.
Serving as a technical resource by providing guidance, and/or mentoring to lower level attorneys on legal strategies and use of tools and resources.
Identifying and suggesting improvement to tools and resources to contribute to continuous improvements and operational efficiencies.
Ensuring legal compliance by following state and federal laws and regulations.
Protecting Zurich’s reputation by keeping claims information confidential.