Senior Trial Attorney II

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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Competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

Overview: 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.
Responsibilities: <ul> <li>Responsible for litigation and appeals of Circuit and Federal cases of unlimited exposure where there is a multiplicity of complicated legal and factual issues involving the more serious injuries, excess damages and high exposure litigation of identified questions of law which the Company may pursue through the appeal process.</li> <li>It is further responsible for cases in which bad faith, exemplary damages, and legal malpractice may expose the Company to unlimited liability and post-judgment complications.</li> <li>It is assigned to appear in defense cases throughout the State.</li> <li>Analyzes files and reviews all allegations.</li> <li>Prepares responses to civil complaints, files and answers any appropriate motions when questions of law or liability are in dispute.</li> <li>Determines feasibility of including third-party defendants, cross-claims or counter-complaints in pending suits.</li> <li>Independently exercises discretion in the appropriate use of discovery and motion practice, uses independent judgment in trial and other court proceedings within limits of authority and without substantial supervision.</li> <li>Conducts discovery depositions; analyzes information obtained through discovery and determines whether settlement is in best interests of insureds and the Company.</li> <li>Formulates interrogatories.</li> <li>Reviews insurance policy and all pertinent documents.</li> <li>Handles catastrophic loss litigation or comparable high exposure litigation in all state jurisdictions.</li> <li>Establishes and adjusts reserves as necessary and reviews reserve position on a regular basis.</li> <li>Prepares uninsured motorist cases for arbitration hearings.</li> <li>Researches all pertinent documents and data; presents cases before arbitration tribunals.</li> <li>Applies cost/benefit considerations to all litigation activity.</li> <li>Negotiates reasonable and equitable pre-trial settlements on behalf of Company and insured, when and where possible. Prepares case for trial, examining facts and developing trial strategy for construction of a strong defense.</li> <li>Participates in jury selection.</li> <li>Conducts defense of case, including 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.</li> <li>Prepares mediation summaries and appears before Case Evaluation Tribunal to advocate defendant&rsquo;s case.</li> <li>Evaluates award and makes decision as to whether to accept of go to trial.</li> <li>Renders legal advice and legal opinions with regard to more serious injury claims, as requested by Branch Claim personnel regarding coverage, liability and damages. Advises payment of claims as appropriate.</li> <li>Files additional motions as facts of case and proper timing warrant.</li> <li>Selects legal investigators and arranges for service of subpoenas and summonses.</li> <li>Reviews medical and related technical data; consults with medical and accident reconstruction specialists regarding injuries and disabilities.</li> <li>Prepares and submits pre-trial statements; attends pre-trial hearings or remand hearing.</li> <li>Keeps client advised of status of 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.</li> <li>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 interest of insured.</li> <li>Recommends to Appeals Committee whether judgments should be appealed based upon facts of cases and chances of recovery.</li> <li>Provides guidance to staff attorneys in the absence of the supervising senior attorney.</li> <li>Mentors less experienced trial attorneys on legal matters within areas of his/her expertise but is not a supervising attorney and does not recommend less experienced attorneys for promotion, salary, review, etc.</li> <li>Participates in one or more office committees, either as standing or rotating member.</li> <li>Utilizes office computer software including CLMS. Participates in Claims Legal Council.</li> <li>Conducts Examinations Under Oath in consultation with Practice Leader.</li> </ul>
Requirements: <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Preferred Qualifications:</span></u></strong></p> <div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Demonstrates:</span></div> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Interest in defense trial practice through in-depth research projects, self-education, participation in presenting seminars, membership in related professional organizations or other activities</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Interest in Company operations, quality of service and manner in which the Legal Department contributes to and enhances operations and services</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Very favorable performance on Attorney Productivity/&rdquo;Scorecard&rdquo; metrics</span></li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Work Environment:</span></u></strong></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Works in a temperature controlled office environment. Willingness to work irregular and/or extended hours to meet all professional responsibilities and deadlines.</span></p> <br /> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Required Qualifications:</span></u></strong></p> <div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><u>Education:</u></span></div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school</li> <li>Member of the State Bar of Michigan</li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Experience to include:</span></div> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Seven or more years litigation experience with demonstrated ability in complex, serious tort and insurance litigation (minimum of 12 trials to verdict, at least 8 with the jury and 8 as the first chair)</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Participation in a committee or special project</span></li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Ability to:</span></div> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, the general public and others in a work environment</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Willingness to work irregular and/or extended hours to meet all professional responsibilities and deadlines</span></li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Knowledge of:</span></div> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Discovery methods and techniques</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Mediation rules, procedures, and summaries</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">AAA claims procedures and branch organizations</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Michigan No-Fault law, including current, significant case law</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and the appropriate defenses to those theories</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Insurance law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law and Principles of Bad Faith Actions</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Policies for all lines of coverage</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Michigan Court Rules and motion practice</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Rules of evidence of proper techniques for introducing or excluding evidence</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Standard Jury Instructions and drafting nonstandard jury instructions where appropriate</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Problems in Professional Ethics relating to the relationship of house counsel to insured</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Office standards and procedures</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Legal research and availability of research tools, including the use of bar library facilities, where necessary</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Catastrophic loss litigation</span></li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">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> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">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> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">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> </div>