Staff or Senior Staff Attorney, Insurance Defense

The Hartford•Brea, CA

20d•$118,800 - $198,600•Remote

About The Position

The Hartford’s Staff Legal team offers attorneys the opportunity to handle sophisticated litigation in an in-house practice with organizational resources and collaboration. The attorney manages a variety of auto and general liability insurance defense matters in California, from early case assessment through trial or other resolution, and works closely with Claims while advising insureds directly. The position is primarily remote, with occasional in-person collaboration and court or other legal appearances as required by the cases and business needs. The role is intended for an experienced California attorney with significant trial and litigation experience in premises liability, products liability, construction-site accidents, and commercial or personal automobile accidents. The attorney leads assigned files, sets strategy, evaluates exposure, and drives resolution while maintaining quality and customer service. The target caseload is 50–55 files. The role includes ongoing training, mentorship, and development opportunities.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Domicile and active license to practice in California, with ability to appear in applicable local state and federal courts.
Membership in good standing of the applicable Bar Association.
For Staff Attorney: 3 years of relevant litigation experience, including insurance defense and complex tort matters.
For Senior Staff Attorney: 7 years of relevant litigation experience, including insurance defense and complex tort matters.
Strong legal writing, research, and persuasive advocacy skills.
Ability to independently manage a caseload of approximately 50–55 files, prioritize competing deadlines, and exercise sound judgment.
Strong familiarity with Southern California courts and local practices.
Highly organized and comfortable working in a technology-driven environment.
Residence within California to support business and court-related requirements.

Nice To Haves

Documented first-chair jury trial and/or appellate experience.
Significant trial and litigation experience in premises liability, products liability, construction-site accidents, and commercial or personal automobile accidents.

Responsibilities

Manage a diverse inventory of insurance defense matters throughout California from inception through trial or other resolution.
Analyze substantive and procedural issues, conduct legal research, and develop defense strategies.
Draft and respond to pleadings, written discovery, dispositive motions, and briefs with minimal supervision.
Take and defend depositions, work with experts, and prepare witnesses for testimony.
Represent clients at trials, judicial hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Provide timely, practical legal advice and liability and damages evaluations to Claims and insured partners.
Communicate with courts, opposing counsel, witnesses, and co-counsel in accordance with office procedures.
Drive prompt and efficient case disposition while maintaining high-quality work and customer service.
Attend in-person court appearances, hearings, depositions, mediations, or other legal proceedings as required by business needs and court requirements.