Senior Associate Attorney-Downtown/Detroit Legal

A career at The Auto Club Group (ACG) can be satisfying, exciting and rewarding. By aligning your professional development with our business objectives, ACG can help you attain your career goals — and make a difference. Get started by choosing the career that’s right for you.

Detroit, MI

The Auto Club Group

AAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles — all to better promote the love of the open road and the adventure of driving. Since then, AAA has grown to over 50 million members strong, while providing valuable membership services such as roadside assistance. Additionally, AAA has broadened its horizons to include all types of travel-related services, as well as offer a variety of insurance and financial products and services. Today’s AAA is a national federation comprised of more than 50 individual clubs throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you’re traveling around the world or to the corner grocery store, planning a honeymoon or weekend road trip, learning to drive or in need of a battery boost, the best way to begin your journey is with AAA. http://michigan.aaa.com/

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Full-Time

Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

Overview: <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The Auto Club Group (ACG) provides membership, travel, insurance, and financial services offerings to approximately 9 million members and customers across 11 states and 2 U.S. territories through the AAA, Meemic, and Fremont brands. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation and is the second largest AAA club in North America.</span></p>
Responsibilities: <ul> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Under minimal supervision use specialized knowledge to handle complex litigation and appeals of Circuit Court cases of unlimited exposure in which the insured or the Company is a defendant. Develops and applies skills to control all aspects of litigation, including trial preparation, discovery, negotiation, presentation and appeals from District to Circuit Court. </span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reviews and analyzes files, insurance policies, all allegations, and pertinent medical and technical data. Consults with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities. Prepares responses to civil complaints, files, and answers any appropriate motions when questions of law or liability are in dispute. Determines feasibility of including third-party defendants in pending suits. Selects legal investigators and arranges for service of subpoenas and summonses. Files additional motions as facts of the case and proper timing warrant. Conducts discovery depositions; formulates interrogatories. Under minimal supervision of a Practice Leader, conducts examinations under oath. Analyzes information obtained through discovery and determines whether the settlement is appropriate within his/her authority according to the Company guidelines. </span></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing a trial strategy for the construction of a strong defense. Participates in jury selection. Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings before a judge. Conducts defense of a case, including the delivery of opening statement, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, makes and argues motions, confers with judges and attorneys, delivers closing argument; prepares trial brief which includes insured&rsquo;s defense, applicable law, and jury instructions, when appropriate. Prepares mediation summaries and appears before Mediation Tribunal to advocate the defendant&rsquo;s case. Evaluates award and makes a decision as to whether to accept or go to trial within his/her authority. </span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Prepares uninsured motorist cases for arbitration hearings. Researches all pertinent documents and data; presents cases before arbitration tribunals.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Keeps the client advised of the status of the case in accordance with office guidelines and client satisfaction goals and consults with third-party clients regarding litigation against them, particularly as to its effect on their personal assets. Advises insured and refers to independent counsel to protect insured&rsquo;s assets in event of an &ldquo;over-limits&rdquo; judgment as required. Coordinates trial or settlement activity with co-counsel, as necessary, to protect the interest of insured. Applies cost/benefit considerations to all litigation activity in conjunction with an evaluation with a supervisor. Negotiates reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of Company and insured, when and where possible.</span></span></span></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommends to Appeals Committee whether judgments should be appealed based upon facts of cases and chances of recovery. Prepares memorandums and presents cases to the Appeals Committee or Executive Committee. Consults with Senior Trial Attorneys, as necessary. Advises lower-level Attorneys on complex cases and possible appeals.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Participates in the Claims Legal Council Program on a regular basis. Renders legal advice and opinions as requested by branch claim personnel regarding coverage, liability, and damages. Advises payment of claims as appropriate.</span></span></span></li> </ul>
Requirements: <p style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span><strong><u>Preferred Qualifications:<br /></u></strong></span><span><span><span>Knowledge of:</span></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li>The Auto Club Group claims procedures and branch organizations&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><strong><u><span>Work Environment:</span></u></strong></p> <p style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span><span>Work in a temperature-controlled office environment. Willingness to work irregular or extended hours to meet professional responsibilities and deadlines</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><strong><u>Required Qualifications:<br /></u></strong></strong><u><span><span>Education:</span></span></u></p> <ul style="font-weight: 400;"> <li><span><span>Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school</span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Member of the State Bar of Michigan</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span><u><span><span>Experience:</span></span></u></span></p> <ul> <li>Trial experience at District and/or Circuit Court level to include five personal injuries and/or insurance related cases tried to verdict, two of which must be jury trials and two as the first-chair attorney.</li> <li><span><span><span>Personal injury legal experience of two years or more</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span><u><span><span>Knowledge and Skills:<br /></span></span></u></span><span><span><span>Knowledge of:</span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Discovery methods and techniques</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Mediation rules, procedures, and summaries</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Michigan No Fault law, including current, significant case law</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and the appropriate defenses to those theories</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Insurance Law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law &amp; Principles of bad faith actions.</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Michigan Court Rules and motion practice</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Standard Jury instructions and drafting non-standard jury instructions where appropriate</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Professional ethics relating to the relationship of house counsel to insured</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; tab-stops: .2in;"><span><u><span><span>Ability to:</span></span></u></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, the general public and others in a work environment</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms</span></li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .2in list .5in;"><span>Utilize office computer software including claims litigation management systems</span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span><br />The Auto Club Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a base salary with performance based incentives; medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), generous time off, a complimentary AAA Membership and much more!</span></p> <p><span>Important Note: The above statements describe the principal and essential functions, but not all functions that may be inherent in the job. This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants, as needed, to enable them to fulfill these requirements.</span></p> <p><span>The Auto Club Group, and all of its affiliated companies, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.</span></p>