Manager, Staff Counsel - Brooklyn, NY

GEICO•Melville, NY

3d•$151,700 - $235,750

About The Position

GEICO is seeking a Manager, Staff Counsel to manage the activities of a Staff Counsel office, under general supervision. The role oversees defense of lawsuits against GEICO insureds in liability cases and representation of GEICO in subrogation, Uninsured Motorist (UM), Underinsured Motorist (UIM), and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) suits or arbitrations in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction. The manager supervises and develops attorneys and other associates, handles personnel decisions, and represents insureds in assigned litigation. The position includes researching and preparing legal documents, advising the Claims Department on liability, damages, and case value, managing pleadings and discovery, and defending matters through trial, arbitration, or mediation. The manager also monitors office performance and implements changes to improve reporting, productivity, client and claims survey results, resolved ratios, and subrogation outcomes. The role requires travel as needed for trials, hearings, depositions, meetings, and conferences. The employee must meet the attendance standard of the business location and be able to perform the essential functions described, with or without accommodation. GEICO will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Requirements

Licensed and in good standing to practice law in applicable jurisdictions, and able to meet and maintain licensing requirements, including mandatory CLE requirements where applicable.
At least seven years of litigation experience, including insurance defense or personal injury.
Demonstrated successful performance handling primary trial responsibility for cases of significant severity and complexity.
Able, with or without accommodation, to perform the essential functions, including thinking, reading, writing, listening, typing, speaking, bending, reaching, lifting, and standing for extended periods.
Able to travel as required for trials, hearings, depositions, management meetings, and conferences.
Able to use a keyboard and mouse and access and use multiple pieces of office equipment, potentially simultaneously.
Able to communicate professionally and document files in clear, concise, professional writing.
Able to follow complex instructions, resolve conflicts or facilitate conflict resolution, organize and prioritize, multitask, and learn and apply substantial technical and procedural information.

Nice To Haves

Management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage subordinates’ activities relating to defense of lawsuits against GEICO insureds in liability cases and representation of GEICO in UM/UIM, PIP, and subrogation suits.
Interview and/or approve job applicants; conduct and/or review performance appraisals; initiate or approve salary adjustments, performance ratings, and other personnel changes; counsel associates; and take disciplinary action or terminate associates as appropriate.
Represent GEICO insureds in liability cases and in UM/UIM and PIP suits filed in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction.
Research laws; prepare legal briefs, opinions, and memoranda; and provide the Claims Department with opinions on liability, damages, and case value as requested.
Prepare and handle pleadings, motions, and discovery, including depositions, examinations before trial, and examinations under oath.
Defend assigned matters through trial, arbitration, or mediation, as applicable.
Meet deadlines for pleadings and correspondence and appear on time for court, arbitrations, depositions, meetings, and other scheduled matters.
Train and supervise less experienced attorneys, including assisting as first- or second-chair counsel and/or observing attorneys at trials and arbitrations.
Monitor applicable bar requirements, including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements, and provide feedback on file handling quality and expense management.
Review office reports and implement changes to improve office statistics, including client reporting timeliness, productivity, client and claims survey results, resolved ratio, and subrogation results.
Adhere to the GEICO Code of Conduct, company policies, and operating principles.
Meet the attendance standard of the business location to perform job functions and facilitate interaction with subordinates and management.
Travel as required to attend trials, hearings, depositions, management meetings, and conferences.
Document files clearly, concisely, and professionally; communicate professionally in person, by telephone, and in written correspondence or email.
Use a keyboard, mouse, and multiple pieces of office equipment, which may require simultaneous use.
Follow complex instructions, resolve or facilitate resolution of conflicts, organize and prioritize work, multitask, and learn and apply technical and procedural information.