Description:

The Opportunity:
This is a highly visible role responsible for leading litigation strategy across the enterprise while remaining closely engaged in the management of significant matters. The AVP – Enterprise Litigation & Claims Counsel will oversee complex, high-exposure, and precedent-setting litigation, partner directly with senior leadership, and play a key role in how the organization evaluates and manages legal risk.

This position is well-suited for an experienced litigator with a demonstrated background in insurance coverage and extra-contractual/bad faith matters who is seeking to broaden their impact beyond individual cases into enterprise-level strategy while remaining engaged in substantive legal work. The position also requires a business-centric, strategic thinker who has the ability to work proactively with claims and other key business stakeholders to provide exceptional counseling to mitigate litigation risk.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and execute litigation strategy for complex, high-exposure, and precedent-setting matters across the enterprise
Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership by providing practical, risk-based legal guidance on significant issues
Direct and manage outside counsel, including active involvement in litigation plans, budgets, pleadings, discovery, motions, and overall case strategy
Partner with outside counsel in litigation matters as appropriate, including participation in negotiations and key strategic decisions
Partner closely with Claims leadership on litigation involving coverage, first-party claims, and extra-contractual/bad faith exposure
Identify litigation trends and emerging risks, and proactively develop enterprise-wide risk mitigation strategies
Support regulatory inquiries, market conduct matters, and broader enterprise risk management initiatives
Establish consistent legal positions and best practices across jurisdictions and business lines
Manage litigation-related legal spend, including forecasting, budgeting, and cost control

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Active bar membership in good standing (ability to register as in-house counsel in applicable jurisdictions as needed)
12+ years of legal experience with a strong focus on complex litigation
Meaningful experience with insurance coverage, first-party claims, and extra-contractual/bad faith litigation
Experience handling or advising on high-exposure, complex litigation matters involving significant financial or reputational risk
Demonstrated experience managing significant litigation matters and working closely with outside counsel
Strong litigation judgment and ability to operate independently with limited oversight
Executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively and build credibility with senior leadership
Experience in the insurance or financial services industry and/or prior in-house experience preferred
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly to diverse audiences
Trial experience required