Staff Legal Sr. Liability Trial Attorney- Houston

Zurich Insurance Group•Houston, TX

34d•Hybrid

About The Position

Zurich is currently looking for an experienced Trial Attorney to join our Staff Legal Team in Houston with the flexibility of working from home while having access to a local office with support staff. This litigator will be responsible for representing the commercial insureds of a prestigious and financially stable commercial insurance carrier, by preparing and trying moderate to high exposure General Liability cases from a challenging and varied caseload. If you are ready for a career move, consider working for a company with a global footprint that offers terrific benefits including an incentive plan, 401K match and a second 401K company contribution, flexible work options and a great culture. This is an exciting opportunity to work for a well-respected Company and represent its insureds in all phases of litigation, while being part of a high-performing law office. The ideal candidate will engage in the practice of law at all times in compliance with the ethical standards established by the Federal Courts and Texas State Bar. Duties of this position encompass all aspects of insurance defense, including initial investigation, legal analysis and advice, evaluating damages, preparing and filing legal pleadings and documents, performing legal research, preparing for and conducting pre-trial discovery, preparing for and aggressively handling hearings and trials, and conducting post-trial activities where appropriate. The candidate will 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. In addition, they will be expected to mentor less experienced attorneys and provide leadership and training across the organization.

Requirements

Juris Doctor
7 or more years of experience in the Litigation area
Member of the Texas State Bar in good standing
Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe
Experience working with Lexis or Westlaw
Knowledge of the insurance industry, claims and the insurance defense litigation legal environment
Well organized with good analytical skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Proactive approach to file handling and caseloads
Able to work independently as well as within a team environment
Relevant first chair jury trial experience
Efficient work habits
Knowledge of billables and diary review with substantive and procedural legal knowledge.
Understands the staff counsel function and role in overall business.
A functional and extensive knowledge of the law and procedure
Prior experience in an insurance defense environment
Strong negotiation skills
Effective problem solving skills
Experience working in a team-based environment
Strong collaboration skills
PC literate

Nice To Haves

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.
Relevant first chair jury trial experience
Ability to budget costs and calculate exposure for clients.
Efficient work habits, knowledge of billables and diary review with substantive and procedural legal knowledge.
Understands the staff counsel function and role in overall business.
A functional and extensive knowledge of the law and procedure
Prior experience in an insurance defense environment
Strong negotiation skills
Effective problem solving skills
Experience working in a team-based environment
Strong collaboration skills

Responsibilities

Representing the commercial insureds of a prestigious and financially stable commercial insurance carrier.
Preparing and trying moderate to high exposure General Liability cases from a challenging and varied caseload.
Representing its insureds in all phases of litigation.
Engage in the practice of law at all times in compliance with the ethical standards established by the Federal Courts and Texas State Bar.
Initial investigation, legal analysis and advice, evaluating damages, preparing and filing legal pleadings and documents, performing legal research, preparing for and conducting pre-trial discovery, preparing for and aggressively handling hearings and trials, and conducting post-trial activities where appropriate.
Demonstrate strong case analysis ability and have a track record of effective settlement and trial skills.
Ability to work independently without substantial supervision.
Mentor less experienced attorneys and provide leadership and training across the organization.
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.
Budget costs and calculate exposure for clients.
Efficient work habits, knowledge of billables and diary review with substantive and procedural legal knowledge.
Understand the staff counsel function and role in overall business.
Negotiation skills.
Problem solving skills.
Collaboration skills.