Chief Liability Trial Attorney or Senior Liability Trial Attorney

Zurich Insurance Group•Los Angeles, CA

52d•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich North America is seeking accomplished trial attorneys for Chief Liability Trial Attorney or Senior Liability Trial Attorney roles. These positions offer meaningful work, flexibility through a hybrid model (one in-office day per week in Pasadena), professional growth, strong support, and the opportunity to make a real impact. The roles involve managing complex liability matters, conducting legal analysis, developing case strategy, delivering client services, and serving as a technical resource. The specific level (Chief or Senior) will be determined by the candidate's experience, technical expertise, and trial background. Zurich values ideas and experience, offering growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment in a company that is a leader in risk management.

Requirements

Juris Doctor
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
10 or more years of experience in the Litigation area (Chief Liability Trial Attorney)
7 or more years of experience in the Litigation area (Senior Liability Trial Attorney)
Strong computer skills and be able to handle remote team-based work which requires them to use video conferencing, task assignments and other computer based systems (Senior Liability Trial Attorney)

Nice To Haves

Ready, willing, and able to take cases forward to trial, including serving as first-chair trial counsel in appropriate matters (Chief Liability Trial Attorney).
Recent, credible jury trial experience, be comfortable before judges and juries, use trial readiness as leverage to drive favorable outcomes, and serve as the office’s trial and technical resource (Chief Liability Trial Attorney).
Strong record of recent jury trial experience and successful trial outcomes, preferably in insurance defense, general liability, or other complex liability matters (Chief Liability Trial Attorney).
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
Experience handling insurance industry claims and general commercial litigation, including but not limited to wrongful death, commercial motor vehicle torts, products and premises liability, and personal injury, from inception through trial (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Well organized with good analytical skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, proactive approach to file handling and caseloads, and able to work independently as well as within a team environment (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Relevant first chair jury trial experience (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Ability to budget costs and calculate exposure for clients (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Efficient work habits, knowledge of billables and diary review with substantive and procedural legal knowledge (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Understands the staff counsel function and role in overall business (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
A functional and extensive knowledge of the law and procedure (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Prior experience in an insurance defense environment (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).

Responsibilities

Achieving strong outcomes for clients by applying advanced litigation expertise to complex liability matters, including case evaluation, strategy, trial preparation, and presentation.
Conducting legal analysis and research, preparing pleadings and other legal documents, managing discovery, and appearing in judicial, administrative, arbitration, mediation, and trial proceedings.
Developing and executing case strategy in collaboration with claims partners, including timely escalation of significant issues and use of alternative dispute resolution when appropriate.
Maintaining timely and accurate case file documentation in compliance with best practices, legal requirements, and confidentiality standards.
Delivering responsive client services through proactive communication, timely inquiry responses, and adherence to customer protocols.
Serving as a technical resource by mentoring attorneys, sharing litigation strategies and best practices, and supporting effective use of tools and resources.
Identifying opportunities to improve tools, resources, workflows, and operational efficiency.
Represent the Company's insureds in all phases of litigation for matters of the highest technical complexity and engage in the practice of and the representation of Zurich insureds in litigation to protect their interests (Chief Liability Trial Attorney).
Demonstrate strong case analysis ability and have a track record of effective settlement and trial skills, as well as the ability to work independently without substantial supervision (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Mentor less experienced attorneys and provide leadership and training across the organization (Senior Liability Trial Attorney).
Provide guidance on legal strategy, mentor other attorneys, and share litigation strategy and best practices (Chief Liability Trial Attorney).
Proactively identify trial opportunities, discuss strategy with leadership and claims partners, and demonstrate the initiative and leadership expected of a chief-level trial position (Chief Liability Trial Attorney).