Insurance Defense Managing Attorney

Zenith Insurance Company•Fresno, CA

4d•$207,179 - $240,856•Remote

About The Position

The Insurance Defense Managing Attorney joins the legal team responsible for civil litigation arising from Zenith’s Property and Casualty (Agribusiness) operations. The role does not involve Workers’ Compensation litigation. The attorney may work remotely anywhere in California but must be available to attend hearings and depositions in person as needed. The attorney serves as primary handling counsel for a portfolio of litigated and non-litigated insurance defense matters, including civil personal injury, automobile liability, and premises liability claims. Assignments vary by complexity, potential exposure, and strategic importance. The role combines active, day-to-day litigation practice with strategic contributions to evaluating and developing Zenith’s in-house insurance defense capabilities. The attorney advises internal partners and helps shape the future direction of the Company’s legal function. Zenith describes itself as a team of Workers’ Compensation specialists focused on helping businesses manage workplace-injury consequences, supporting injured employees, and improving workplace safety. The company emphasizes collaboration, work-life balance, integrity, and ongoing learning and development.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience handling civil insurance defense litigation, including substantial responsibility for case strategy, litigation management, and client counseling; an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience may be considered.
Experience independently managing complex personal injury, automobile liability, premises liability, or comparable civil defense matters through significant phases of litigation, including trial preparation and trial.
Ability to evaluate litigation risk, formulate legal strategy, provide practical business-focused advice, and communicate effectively with insurance claims and legal stakeholders.
Demonstrated leadership through formal responsibilities or by leading matters, mentoring others, influencing strategy, improving legal processes, or driving practice or operational initiatives.
Exceptional legal analysis, written and oral advocacy, negotiation, organization, relationship-management, and professional judgment.
Understanding of the legal, operational, and financial considerations that influence insurance litigation, claim resolution, and decisions regarding in-house versus external handling.
Ability to build credibility and productive relationships across legal, claims, and business functions.
Interest and aptitude for helping evaluate, develop, and expand in-house legal capabilities while personally managing an active litigation portfolio.
Ability to work remotely from anywhere in California and attend hearings and depositions in person as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience working closely with in-house insurance legal and claims teams in complex or high-exposure liability matters.
Experience leading, influencing, or materially contributing to significant litigation, operational, practice-management, process-improvement, or organizational initiatives.
Demonstrated success developing legal processes, improving service delivery models, mentoring attorneys or claims professionals, or implementing litigation management best practices.
Experience managing or supervising attorneys.

Responsibilities

Independently manage all phases of insurance defense matters, including factual and expert investigation, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, expert discovery, mediation, settlement negotiations, trial preparation, and trial.
Handle a portfolio of litigated and non-litigated matters of varying complexity and exposure, delivering high-quality legal work, sound judgment, and practical strategic advice.
Develop and execute case strategies that account for legal, financial, and business considerations.
Evaluate liability, damages, litigation exposure, settlement opportunities, and case value, and promptly communicate material changes to legal, claims, and business partners.
Prepare and present written and oral advocacy before courts, mediators, arbitrators, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders.
Advise claims professionals, business leaders, and other internal stakeholders on litigation strategy, risk assessment, case resolution, and related legal issues.
Partner with claims leadership to identify litigation trends, emerging risks, and opportunities to improve claim and litigation outcomes.
Communicate professionally in client meetings, claims file conferences, written reporting, negotiations, and court proceedings.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant case law, procedural rules, technology, local requirements, and legal and insurance industry developments affecting liability litigation.
Contribute to assessing, developing, and expanding the Company’s in-house insurance defense capabilities while maintaining an active litigation portfolio.
Recommend appropriate case selection, operating practices, workload considerations, legal service delivery approaches, and opportunities to increase effective in-house handling.
Lead, influence, or materially contribute to litigation, practice-management, process-improvement, or organizational initiatives that strengthen legal service delivery.
Share expertise, mentor others, and promote consistent litigation management, sound legal judgment, and collaboration across legal and claims functions.
Use technology and collaborate with legal support staff to promote efficient case management, productivity, and high-quality work product.
Build and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues, claims professionals, business partners, opposing counsel, courts, experts, and external service providers.
Use logical and analytical thinking to define problems, assess information, establish facts, and draw supported conclusions.
Respond constructively to direction and feedback, maintain a professional demeanor, and work productively with others.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.