Counsel, Litigation

Canadian National Railway Company•Homewood, IL

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The incumbent is responsible for providing defense for U.S. litigation matters at CN, including grade crossing accidents, employee injury claims (Federal Employers Liability Act claims), personal injury claims, trespasser and premises liability claims, property damage claims, and contractual disputes. The position responds to subpoenas, complaints, and causes of action entered against CN’s U.S. subsidiary railroads. This includes drafting answers and other pleadings, dispositive motions, attending court appearance, settlement conferences, conducting written discovery, taking depositions and taking cases to trial.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of relevant litigation experience as in-house or external counsel in both State and Federal Court
Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
Active member in good standing with a state bar in the United States
Identifies potential safety and security risks
Inspires others with impactful communications and adapts to the audience
Initiates and drives organizational changes to enable business transformation
Makes informed and timely decisions to get things done
Influences by translating expertise into practical business outcomes
Deals with pressure and change by staying calm to quickly adapt to changes
Confidence and assertiveness
Negotiates towards a win-win outcome while taking all points of view into consideration
General Microsoft computer skills
Knowledge of civil procedure rules and relevant court proceedings
Awareness of evolving applicable laws
Familiarity with legal research tools (e.g. Bloomberg, Lexis, Westlaw)
Knowledge of FELA

Nice To Haves

Experience with taking cases to trial and as an active litigator
Experience working in the transportation, trucking, or railroad industry
Experience defending FELA cases
Active member in good standing with Illinois or Tennessee state bars
Knowledge of railway operations

Responsibilities

Manage and provide strategic oversight of a diverse portfolio of U.S. litigation matters.
Draft, review, and file pleadings, motions, and other legal documents in a timely and accurate manner.
Conduct and defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses.
Prepare witnesses for depositions and trial testimony.
Collaborate closely with the Risk Mitigation Department to develop and advance effective defense strategies and legal theories.
Represent the organization in court proceedings, including hearings, oral arguments, mediations, and trials.
Assist with incident investigations and ensure proper identification, preservation, and management of evidence.
Coordinate with internal business units to obtain facts, documentation, and subject-matter expertise relevant to litigation matters.
Oversee document preservation, collection, and production throughout the discovery process.
Evaluate litigation risks and recommend case resolution strategies, including settlement options and requests for settlement authority.
Participate in mediation and facilitation sessions to support efficient and favorable dispute resolution.
Provide regular, clear, and concise status reports and strategic updates to senior leadership.