Senior Manager, Staff Counsel - Hackensack, NJ

GEICO•NJ Remote Zone 1, NJ

7d•$166,050 - $260,350•Hybrid

About The Position

GEICO is seeking a Senior Manager of multiple Staff Counsel office activities in the State of New Jersey relating to the defense of lawsuits against GEICO insureds in liability suits and property damage suits, and on behalf of GEICO in subrogation, Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM), filed in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction. The role involves managing subordinates, interviewing and approving job applicants, conducting performance appraisals, initiating or approving salary adjustments, counseling associates, and potentially representing GEICO insureds in various legal cases. The position also requires researching laws, preparing legal briefs, rendering opinions on liability and value, preparing legal documents, and training/supervising less experienced attorneys. The Senior Manager will also review office reports to improve statistics and adhere to the GEICO Code of Conduct and company policies. The role requires meeting attendance standards and facilitating interaction with subordinates and management.

Requirements

Must be able to travel as required, including but not limited, to attend trials, hearings, depositions, management meetings and conferences.
Must be able, with or without accommodation, to perform the essential functions which include, but are not limited to, thinking (concentrating, focusing, assimilating information), reading, writing, listening, typing, speaking, bending, reaching, lifting, and standing for extended periods.
Must be able to communicate in a professional manner in person, via telephone and written correspondence/email.
Must be able to document files in a clear, concise, professional written manner, to be understood by customers, clients, co-workers and other employees of the organization.
Must be able to follow complex instructions, resolve conflicts or facilitate conflict resolution, and have strong organization/priority setting and multi-tasking skills.
Must demonstrate successful performance in handling primary trial responsibility for cases of significant severity and complexity.
Juris Doctor degree REQUIRED
Must be licensed in good standing to practice law in applicable jurisdictions and meet and maintain licensing requirements including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements where applicable.
Must have a minimum of 10 years of litigation experience, including insurance defense or personal injury.
Management experience required. Specifically managing a team of attorneys and support staff.

Responsibilities

Manages subordinates in all activities relating to the defense of lawsuits and against GEICO insureds in liability and property damage cases, and on behalf of GEICO in UM/UIM and Subrogation suits.
Interviews and/or approves job applicants for employment.
Conducts and/or reviews associate Performance Appraisals.
Initiates or approves salary adjustments, performance ratings, and other personnel changes.
Counsels associates and take disciplinary action or terminate the employment of associates as appropriate.
May represent GEICO insureds in liability cases, and UM/UIM, subrogation, and PD suits filed in courts of limited and unlimited jurisdiction.
Research laws and prepare legal briefs, opinions, and memoranda.
Renders opinions on liability, damage, and value as requested by the Claims Department.
May prepare and handle pleadings, motions, and discovery, to include depositions/examinations before trial and examinations under oath, and other deadlines.
Trains and supervises less experienced attorneys, including assisting attorneys as first and second chair counsel, and/or observing attorneys at trials and arbitrations; monitors all applicable bar requirements including mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) requirements; provides feedback on quality of file handling and expense management.
Reviews office reports and implements changes to improve office statistics, including timeliness of reports to clients, productivity reports, client and claims survey results, resolved ratio, and subrogation results.
Adheres to the GEICO Code of Conduct, company policies, and operating principles.
Meets attendance standard of the business location, to perform necessary job functions and to facilitate interaction with subordinates and management.