Staff Counsel

Job Summary:  

Responsible for providing high quality and cost-effective legal defense of first party property cases.  Demonstrates superior knowledge and expertise in the litigation process and provides excellent client service as part of a small legal team.  Responsible for independent, aggressive case handling with a resolution management focus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

•    Conduct Examinations Under Oath and Litigate cases to verdict, demonstrating superior use of trial skills and techniques

•    Ability to independently handle a full to moderate caseload with moderate level of complexity from case inception through trial/resolution

•    Works under the guidance of House Counsel in litigating complex and high exposure files

•    Conducts legal research 

•    Independently drafts pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery and other file documents

•    Attends court events and other appointments independently

•    Learns and understands claim customer expectations and key department business goals and assists them in meeting those goals

•    Handles and actively seeks opportunities to become involved in special projects and on committees

•    Provides recommendations and case analysis to claim department on appropriate file handling strategy

•    Completes all required administrative tasks including time reporting, closed cases, reports and other materials appropriate to performance of job duties

•    Effectively makes use of technology and automation in the practice of law

•    Adheres to all standards of excellence in file management

•    Travels as required to meet business needs

•    Ability to mentor and train less experienced counsel and legal support staff 

•     Provide advice and training to claim partners

•    Communicates with co-workers, management, clients, vendors, and others as needed in a courteous and professional manner. 

•    Maintains the integrity of the company and products offered by complying with federal and state regulations as well as company policies and procedures.

•    May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

•    Graduation from an accredited law school with a strong academic record

•    Successful completion of the bar and ethics examinations in the state(s) in which representation is required

•    Active license to practice law.

•    Ability to effectively understand and utilize technology and automation resources, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Products, WestLaw, LexisNexis, and other law office management programs.

•    Independent ability to analyze legal issues with minimal supervision 

•    Appreciation for and commitment to delivery of high-quality legal work

•    Works collaboratively with team members and others

•    Demonstrates desire to acquire effective trial skills with increased litigation complexity

•    Demonstrates superior legal acumen 

•    Demonstrates personal commitment to professional development

•    Continued development of technical skills with a goal of handling the highest complexity cases

•    Personal integrity and adherence to a high degree of professionalism and ethical competency

•    Strong research skills

•    Strong negotiation skills

•    Multi-tasking tolerance and success

•    Decision making and problem-solving abilities

•    Sense of urgency/responsiveness

General Information:

All employees must pass a pre-employment background check.  Other checks may be needed based on position: driving history, credit report, etc.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed; the level of knowledge and skills typically required; and usual working conditions of this position.  It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive listing of all requirements or responsibilities that may be required by employees in this job.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.      

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.  We will not discriminate unlawfully against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any term or condition of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, place of birth, military service status, or other basis protected by law.