Lead Attorney
Our staff counsel team is currently seeking a Lead Attorney for its Michigan office.
As an insurance defense attorney in our Michigan office, you will be part of a team providing legal representation to Hanover/Citizens’ insureds and/or Hanover/Citizens Insurance before courts and arbitration panels in all aspects of litigation. This is hybrid/full time/exempt role. Fully remote candidates may be considered.
Position Overview: Investigates and manages and tries the most complex cases in the region. This attorney’s inventory will possess the largest and most complex matters referred from claims. Other attorney’s may be assigned to work under this attorney’s direction on case-by-case basis where case complexity requires multiple attorneys to be assigned to the file. Lead trial attorney will serve as mentor to other developing trial attorneys.
In this role you will:
Handles a case load consisting primarily of large, complex, high exposure lawsuits
May specialize in several areas of law
Provides direction and mentoring to others
May assist Managing Attorney as needed in evaluating staff attorneys and support staff
What you need to apply:
Must have extensive jury trial experience
Significant experience with commercial lines litigation
Knowledgeable in the basic principles of EPLI and employment law, health law, professional liability, business tort and general liability matters.
Demonstrated ability to handle exposures of over 1 million dollars
Must have a valid driver's license, an acceptable MVR and an ability to maintain confidentiality
Admitted to the bar and must be licensed to practice law in MI
Able to work in a team environment with other attorneys, adjusters, claims professionals and support staff
Computer literacy, including MS Word, Lexis/Westlaw, and daily management of e-mail and calendar
Advocacy: Exceptional ability to assist, defend or plead for another on the most complex cases
Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to consistently and significantly influence claim outcomes through highly effective negotiation techniques
Communication: Strong ability to deliberately and precisely exchange thoughts and opinions with one or more persons and to effectively translate legal language and ideas into layman's terms
Decision Making: Strong ability to arrive at a determination in moderate to complex situations after careful consideration of facts and law without undo procrastination
Organization Skills: Strong ability to categorize and prioritize work and information to effectively and efficiently maximize productivity
Investigative Skills: Proficiency in following up step by step on inquiry or observation and search and examine with care and accuracy. Consistently able to take evidence that may be used in reaching a legal conclusion
Legal Research: Proficiency in locating cases, treaties, codified laws and statutes aimed at the discovery and interpretation of law and to draw a reasonable and accurate conclusion or render an opinion there from
Courtroom Skills: Demonstrates exceptional courtroom behavior, attire and decorum and is an expert with the rules and regulations that govern proceedings and conduct in courts of law or other legal forums and tribunals. Provides the highest professional service to clients and claims professionals
Career Development: Takes proactive responsibility for their career development. Maintains the necessary skill levels.
Trial Skills: Has a first rate ability to effectively present evidence and arguments of law to a judge or jury for determination of the facts at issue
Business/Industry: Has an interest and solid knowledge of current and possible future policies, practices, trends and information affecting The Hanover Insurance Group’s businesses; Knowledgeable in the basic principles of property and casualty insurance
Agile and Adaptive: Recognizes unexpected challenges and is able to be resilient, shift and remain on course.
Mentor and Teach: Willingness and ability to mentor and teach others.
Physical demands & work environment:
Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment
Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods
Required to work on-site as needed
Ability to travel as necessary
Ability to work hours in excess of 40 hours per week
Ability to work in a fast paced, changing or stressful environment
Ability to perform work in a noisy/loud work environment
Ability to operate a motor vehicle