Managing Counsel

Travelers • Brookfield, WI

3d

About The Position

Are you committed to professional growth and exceptional client service? Imagine a career as a Travelers lawyer where you can be the best you. As a Managing Counsel with Travelers you'll be responsible for leading and managing our Brookfield, WI Staff Counsel law office assuring a culture of high-quality legal work at a competitive cost and providing exceptional service to clients and the company. You will oversee a total staff of 12 made up of 7 attorneys that handle both liability and Work Comp cases as well as 5 support staff. You will be responsible for recruitment, retention, development and performance management of assigned staff. In addition, responsible for creating a work environment conducive to creating an engaging environment. As a technical line of business expert, you will have the opportunity to use your legal expertise and litigation skills to independently handle an appropriate number of moderate to complex legal matters and deliver optimal results for Travelers' insured customers. Travelers offers the strength of a national legal organization committed to your professional development while maintaining a local focus so you can be positioned as a strong legal advocate and valued business partner.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent International legal degree; graduate of an accredited law school.
• 10 years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• 5 years project leadership and/or demonstrated informal or actual management experience.
• Admission to and uninterrupted good standing with a court of competent jurisdiction.
• Active license (in good standing) to practice law in the state(s) in which representation is required.
• Regularly handles hearings, trials, dispositive motion arguments, depositions or other court proceedings and has the ability to transport to those meetings.
• Valid driver's license required depending on the location.

Nice To Haves

• 15 years of prior legal experience.
• 5+ years law office/legal management experience.
• Multi-line experience.
• Jury and/or bench trial experience.
• Experience with a variety of cases including large, multi-party-cases.
• Superior writing skills.
• Strong lawyering skills, including trial skills.
• Strong change leadership skills; ability to describe business rationale for change and gain understanding and adoption across a large and diverse organization.
• Demonstrates personal integrity and adherence to a high degree of professionalism and ethical competency.
• Strong ability to collaborate in a team environment.
• Ability to prepare and present information and advice in a clear, concise, logical and well-organized manner to variety of business partners.
• Influential presentation skills that thoroughly demonstrate business acumen.
• Proven ability to influence at all levels and to develop effective strategies and implement/execute on those strategies.
• Utilizes and promotes the use of technology, leverages and maintains a level of proficiency with job-related technologies.
• Demonstrates personal accountability that influences the team to perform in a similar manner.
• Exhibits relentless drive to meet deadlines and expectations.
• Superior business, legal and financial acumen.
• Encourages constructive problem solving.
• Continually challenges status quo.
• Ability to effectively provide direct feedback and effectively manage under performers.
• Proven change management skills.
• Organizational credibility.
• Focuses on big picture and long-term business and/or product line goals.

Responsibilities

• Full responsibility to lead and manage all aspects of a Staff Counsel Office.
• Ensure the office represents insured clients/customers and the company by employing methods and strategies commensurate with the provision of high quality legal and customer services.
• Manage the office to meet all financial expectations of the program.
• Ensures office compliance with Staff Counsel reporting requirements, including monthly reports, productivity standards, Code of Conduct and company ethics initiatives and office best practices.
• Responsible for all talent management, including but not limited to staffing, performance management, ensuring engagement, professional development and compensation.
• Drive and promote a culture of inclusion, engagement, integrity, and teamwork designed to lead to successful and cost-effective results.
• Assign cases and initiatives to assigned Staff Counsel, matching experience, knowledge and skill level of attorneys, while adhering to specialization philosophy and established procedures.
• Set caseload expectations, ensuring completion of, initial case analysis, litigation plans, case evaluations, summaries, legal research, pretrial reports, trial reports and other required items (all case handling guidelines) in a timely and quality manner.
• Develop and implement strategies to address any identified development opportunities including prompt follow up and resolution of issues.
• Conduct training as needed.
• Maintain high quality standards and ensure excellent service to clients/customers by employing methods and strategies commensurate with the provision of high quality legal and customer services.
• Review files monthly focusing on quality as articulated on Quality Review Form. Use file review database.
• Provide feedback and coaching to attorneys.
• Coordinate with Regional Counsel and peers to promote a high-performance culture throughout the Staff Counsel Program with accountability for success of Staff Counsel Initiatives, such as trial appetite, resolution management, and improvement in all lines of business.
• Ensure clients are counseled effectively through prompt and appropriate communication, sharing expertise and legal advice to clients and other business partners on legal matters and changes in the law.
• Ensure the office adheres to high ethical standards of professionalism and integrity.
• Ensure office compliance with all elements of Staff Counsel Program expectations.
• Handle an appropriate caseload as determined in consultation with the Regional Counsel.
• Analyze and utilize management information to drive performance and execute upon value proposition strategies, utilizing office resources and technology to assure a smooth workflow and cost effectiveness.
• Complete and submit all required reports, time records, expense reimbursements requests and other materials appropriate to performance of job duties in a timely manner.
• Partner with the Claim Department on long-term goals and strategies, case handling oversight, and ad hoc matters as they arise.
• Develop professional relationships with all business partners across the enterprise.
• Serve as part of the Staff Counsel Leadership team by providing meaningful and thoughtful input to program-wide initiatives and by chairing committees on selected projects, participates in Regional Reviews and handles national projects, attend management meetings and contributes to Staff Counsel Program initiatives, as requested by Regional Counsel or Head of Staff Counsel.
• Understands the external legal, business and tort environment and keeps current on trends and issues affecting our business.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Employees and their eligible family members – including spouses, domestic partners, and children – are eligible for coverage from the first day of employment.
• Retirement: Travelers matches your 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to your first 5% of eligible pay, subject to an annual maximum. If you have student loan debt, you can enroll in the Paying it Forward Savings Program. When you make a payment toward your student loan, Travelers will make an annual contribution into your 401(k) account. You are also eligible for a Pension Plan that is 100% funded by Travelers.
• Paid Time Off: Start your career at Travelers with a minimum of 20 days Paid Time Off annually, plus nine paid company Holidays.
• Wellness Program: The Travelers wellness program is comprised of tools, discounts and resources that empower you to achieve your wellness goals and caregiving needs. In addition, our mental health program provides access to free professional counseling services, health coaching and other resources to support your daily life needs.
• Volunteer Encouragement: We have a deep commitment to the communities we serve and encourage our employees to get involved. Travelers has a Matching Gift and Volunteer Rewards program that enables you to give back to the charity of your choice.

What This Job Offers

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