Staff Counsel - Liability Claims

Forward Air•Coppell, TX

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Counsel - Liability Claims leads all aspects of liability claims management for a large commercial transportation and logistics company with a fleet primarily leased from independent contractors. They are responsible for the strategic direction, financial oversight, and operational execution of the company’s liability claims program — encompassing commercial auto liability, cargo claims, general liability, and catastrophic loss events. They serve as the primary liaison between operations, external legal counsel, insurers, and senior leadership on all claims-related matters. As part of claims management, they are responsible for managing complex trucking and transportation-related litigation on behalf of the organization. They serve as a legal subject matter expert, guiding claims from inception through resolution, while balancing litigation risk, cost containment, and business objectives. They partner closely with the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Deputy General Counsel, claims professionals, business leaders, and external stakeholders and external counsel, to drive efficient, defensible outcomes. They bring strong litigation judgment, deep knowledge of trucking accident law, and the ability to independently manage a diverse caseload. This is an opportunity to leverage trial and litigation experience in a collaborative, growth and transformation-oriented business.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in good standing (or ability to obtain licensure as required for the role).
Significant experience working with trucking/transportation claims; experience at a transportation or trucking accident law firm, with direct responsibility for litigating truck accident claims preferred
Demonstrated expertise in trucking and transportation law, including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) regulations, liability analysis, and complex injury claims.
Proven litigation experience handling matters from pre‑suit investigation through trial or resolution.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and legal judgment skills, with the ability to balance legal risk and business considerations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while meeting deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain legal concepts to non‑legal stakeholders.
Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).

Nice To Haves

Board Certification in Truck Accident Law approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and offered through the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) preferred

Responsibilities

Direct end-to-end management of all liability claims, including first-party and third-party commercial auto, bodily injury, property damage, cargo loss, and general liability matters.
Lead and coach a team of Claims Adjusters in the daily investigation and evaluation of claims involving accidents, freight/cargo loss, property damage, etc.
Develop and implement claims handling protocols, reserving philosophies, and litigation management strategies.
Establish and enforce timely investigation standards, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal regulations (FMCSA, DOT).
Identify trends in claims frequency and severity and present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership.
Manage trucking and transportation-related claims from initial assignment through final resolution.
Evaluate liability, damages, causation, and exposure in complex truck accident claims, including catastrophic injury and fatality matters.
Develop and execute litigation strategies aligned with organizational risk tolerance and financial objectives and work with outside counsel in all phases of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, depositions, motion practice, hearings, mediations, and trials.
Represent the organization in settlement negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and court proceedings.
Provide legal analysis and strategic recommendations to claims professionals regarding claim valuation, reserving, and resolution strategy.
Identify early resolution opportunities and recommend cost‑effective settlement strategies where appropriate.
Retain, manage, and oversee outside counsel, experts, and vendors, including budgeting, performance, and outcome evaluation.
Own the claims budget, including reserve adequacy, allocated loss adjustment expenses (ALAE), and vendor spend.
Collaborate with actuaries and underwriters at renewal to support accurate loss projections and program structuring.
Drive outcomes that reduce total cost of risk (TCOR) year-over-year.
Monitor and interpret legal, regulatory, and case law developments impacting trucking and transportation claims.
Collaborate cross‑functionally with claims, risk management, and leadership teams to support overall business goals.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ethical standards, and internal policies.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation within claims and legal management systems.
Support internal training, knowledge sharing, and process improvement initiatives related to transportation claims.
All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.