In-House Legal Counsel- Litigation

Textron • Wichita, KS

26d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an exciting opportunity to join Textron Aviation, home to the iconic brands of Cessna and Beechcraft, and be part of a collegial legal operations team with a reputation of providing practical legal counsel to our business partners. This attorney position provides counsel to company leadership and business operations concerning a broad range of legal issues with a focus on the active management of disputes, claims, aviation product liability litigation, product safety, and general commercial/contract litigation. A successful candidate must be an approachable, solution focused, and proactive business partner. This position requires a candidate with a broad range of legal skills, demonstrated expertise in product liability and commercial litigation, and/or demonstrated expertise in aviation. Candidates with a working knowledge of UCC contract law, FAA regulations, and manufacturing operations is greatly preferred.
This position will office in Wichita, KS, (not a remote, virtual or hybrid position) and report to the Sr. Associate Counsel or General Counsel depending on candidates’ level of experience.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be a member of the Kansas bar or meet eligibility requirements for admission to the Kansas bar under Rule 721 for a corporate law license.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in law firm or in-house with a minimum of 5 years of relevant products liability and commercial litigation experience.
• Relevant trial experience in both federal and state courts.
• Inspires trust and confidence throughout the organization with a drive to deliver quality results on time and in a highly ethical and professional manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively, work diplomatically, be approachable, and foster relationships with individuals at all levels.
• Strategic thinking, business acumen and exceptional problem-solving skills.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate recommendations and options regarding complex legal issues.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously with a minimum amount of supervision.
• A team player with an open, mature and positive personality who is willing to share and communicate information effectively.
• Must have strong work ethic and a desire to consistently perform at the highest levels of competence.
• Ability to travel globally and domestically on a limited basis.

Nice To Haves

• Pilot or aviation experience preferred.
• Candidates with a working knowledge of UCC contract law, FAA regulations, and manufacturing operations is greatly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders to develop policies and procedures related to aviation product and general product safety, FAA, NTSB and other federal regulations as well as foreign aviation regulatory agencies.
• Work directly with business counterparts to identify legal risk and issues raised in pre-litigation, disputes, or other claim related matters.
• Active litigation management and counseling, with a focus on aviation product and general product liability related matters both domestic and international. This includes identifying appropriate trial counsel; establishing and managing eDiscovery procedures; maintaining communications with all key stakeholders, including outside counsel and Company business leaders; ensuring proper insurance coverage and handling by insurance adjusters; and working with risk finance to manage costs and exposure.
• Advise stakeholders concerning compliance with legal requirements related to all types of legal matters and pre-litigation using knowledge of legal precedents and company policies.
• Assist with and oversee case management of all types of litigation matters, whether before an administrative agency or court of general jurisdiction.
• Participate in and support other legal matters and activities, including legal training, as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree