Description:

Job Summary:
Represents insureds and the Company in the defense of bodily injury and property damage lawsuits. Prepares for and conducts hearings, trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions. Prepares and argues pre and post-trial motions. Assists colleagues in the resolution of calendar conflicts. Provides counsel to business clients on day-to-day issues. Provides coordination and collaboration between legal teams. Monitors and reviews new laws, regulations, and case law; identifies and summarizes relevant issues; collaborates with other areas of Law & Regulation department; proactively provides advice and counsel to business unit on the impact of new laws on active cases. While this is a remote position, it is imperative that the candidate be located in or near the Houston area for various in person appearances (trials, hearings, depositions and mediations)

Key Responsibilities:

Review new file assignments and approve initial pleadings, propound discovery, and/or develop strategy
Contacts clients to discuss their case and answer any questions.Maintains contact at a minimum of 90 days
Contact claims (initial litigation plan, recurring minimum 90 day contact, strategy conferences, etc.)
Review all documentary evidence
Prepares witnesses and clients for depositions, arbitrations, mediations and trials including expert witnesses
Conducts depositions and examinations under oath and prepares summary documents
Prepares and conducts court appearances (matter management conferences, hearings, status conferences, etc.)
Conducts settlement/dispositive proceedings (e.g. mediations, arbitrations, etc.)
Try and/or arbitrate cases and prepares motions in liminie and summary documents
Draft post-trial motions
Provide legal opinions to claims clients
Manages cases

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This job does not have supervisory duties.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Experience:

Juris Doctorate degree and member in good standing of Texas State Bar
Some Insurance Defense, Subrogation and/or Personal Injury litigation experience preferred
Trial and/or Arbitration experience is preferred, with flexibility to work across several disciplines that may include SIU and UM/UIM.
SIU experience is a plus.
Computer skills required; experience with Microsoft Office, Lexis, Teams, Adobe Acrobat and the internet
Ability to work well with others on a team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative assistants, supervised by an attorney Lead Counsel
Must be able to handle an active and evolving caseload
Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills are key to working with a variety of internal and external contacts as well as for preparing reports, pleadings, and correspondence, collaborating with others, etc. Will work independently as well as part of a cohesive team.
Ability to travel to and from in person appointments such as depositions, mediations, hearings, and trials
Periodically lifting in excess of 20 pounds throughout the day, depending on court matters being handled. Attorneys are required to cover court matters for each other; attorneys have laptops.
Bending to pick up the computer bag which sometimes is more than 20 pounds, entering and exiting a vehicle, maneuvering files and computer at security checkpoints
Turning and twisting at work
Driving at least 40-50 miles daily depending on the activities being covered such as court, doctors' depositions, discovery depositions, and case evaluations, etc.
Sitting for pro-longed periods of time en route to court, in court or at court proceedings, depositions, etc.
Walking and rolling brief case with files from vehicle to the legal proceeding and/or deposition and facilitations, etc.
Trial preparation could require lifting in excess 20 lbs. because of exhibits, materials, records from plaintiff, etc. These materials are printed for some proceedings.
Regular, predictable attendance is an essential function of this job.