Director, Litigation

JOB SUMMARY:  The Director – Litigation position is primarily responsible for overseeing the management of and assessing litigation pending against the Company on a national basis.  The Director- Litigation position provides input to and manages outside counsel in the handling of litigation as well as oversees the financial expenditure of the cases and relevant financial analyses and ensures appropriate reserving and communication with Securitas USA insurers and management.  This position is primarily responsible for handling Employment Practice (EP) suits and claims and also manages GL suits and claims and attorney letters received by the Company on an as needed basis and is also responsible for completing legal research projects.  In addition, the Director-Litigation is called upon to assist the Risk Management Department with indemnity claim reviews and support other departments.  This position may be called upon to also assist with the review of training and advertising materials, the drafting of policies, and other tasks on an as needed basis.   

The Director-Litigation requires a full-time, on-site, presence at our US headquarters in Parsippany, NJ  and reports directly to the Deputy General Counsel, Litigation of Securitas USA. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The functions listed describe the business purpose of this job or position.  Specific duties or tasks may vary and be documented separately.  An associate might or might not be required to perform all functions listed. Additional duties may be assigned, and functions may be modified, according to business necessity.

• All assigned duties or tasks are deemed to be part of the essential functions, unless such duties or tasks are unrelated to the functions listed, in which case they are deemed to be other (non-essential) functions.

• Associates are held accountable for successful job performance.  Job performance standards may be documented separately, and may include functions, objectives, duties or tasks not specifically listed herein.

• In performing functions, duties or tasks, associates are required to know and follow safe work practices, and to be aware of company policies and procedures related to job safety, including safety rules and regulations.  Associates are required to notify superiors upon becoming aware of unsafe working conditions.

• All functions, duties or tasks are to be carried out in an honest, ethical and professional manner, and to be performed in conformance with applicable company policies and procedures.  In the event of uncertainty or lack of knowledge of company policies and procedures, associates are required to request clarification or explanations from superiors or authorized company representatives.

• Performs case assessments and portfolio management assessments. 

• Oversees and manages outside counsel handling litigation pending against the Company.

• Attends arbitrations/mediations/court hearings/trials as necessary. 

• Manages the financial expenditures of litigation cases, including reserving and billing.

• Performs financial analyses to ensure optimization of case outcome. 

• Primarily handles Employment Practice (EP) suits and also has responsibility for GL suits and some claims, including higher exposure matters. 

• Handles and responds to EP attorney letters received by the Company on an as needed basis. 

• Completes legal research projects as needed. 

• Assists with the drafting and implementation of policies. 

• Assists with the review of training and advertising materials.

• Primary contact for Risk Management Department for indemnity claims and tenders from other parties, as well as review of settlement agreements 

• Manages subpoena function on a daily basis, including retention of outside counsel.

• Manages summer legal intern program on a daily basis.

• Assists Deputy General Counsel with preparation of Monthly Function Report, Monthly High Exposure Report, Quarterly Large Lawsuit Review, Quarterly Dispute Reports, Quarterly Group Risk Management High Exposure Slides, Quarterly reserve increase requests, Quarterly Business Review Slides

• Responsible for monthly GL and EP trial, arbitration, and mediation calendars.

• Interacts with insurers, brokers and Group and Divisional Risk Management on an as needed basis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES AT ENTRY

Additional qualifications may be specified and receive preference, depending upon the nature of the position.

Education/Experience: 

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school 

• Admitted to the CA bar

• Minimum of ten years of practice, preferably initially with a prominent national law firm before moving to an in-house position. Prefer three (3) years of in-house experience.

• Prefer first chair trial experience.

• Experience working on matters of employment law and general liability law required. 

• Overall broad legal knowledge (litigation, employment law, general liability law). 

• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Westlaw, etc.  Willingness to become proficient in company risk management program and Legal Tracker billing programs. 

Competencies (as demonstrated through experience, training, and/or testing):

• Works independently with minimal assistance from outside sources, including external law firms  

• In-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organizations

• Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives 

• Ability to effectively present legal issues to senior management

• Excellent judgment and analytic skills with special focus on a solution-oriented approach to situations

• First class interpersonal and communication skills

Working Conditions and Physical/Mental Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation, a candidate must have the physical and mental capacity to effectively perform all essential functions described.  In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:

• Maintaining composure in dealing with authorities, executives, clients, staff and the public, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations

• Must undergo and meet company standards for controlled substance testing and behavioral selection survey

• Required ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently

• Computer usage

• Handling and being exposed to sensitive and confidential information

• Regular talking and hearing

• Frequent sitting

• Occasional walking, reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling

• Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasional lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds

• Close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus

• Work primarily performed in an office environment

• Required to travel on company business on an as-needed basis

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