Legal Officer- Litigation Medical Malpractice

REQUIREMENTS 

Required Education\: Juris Doctorate


Preferred\: Multiple Degrees 
 

Required Licensure\: Must currently be licensed by the State Bar of Texas or another state, with acquisition of Texas license within one year of date of employment.


Required Experience\:  Four (4) years as an attorney with significant experience in medical malpractice law and litigation.  Excellent management, organizational, communication, interpersonal, research, writing, and negotiation skills applicable to a fast-paced, customer-service-oriented, intellectually challenging and highly diverse environment.  Proficient in MS Word, Adobe Professional, and Outlook Calendar.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  



Preferred Experience\: Significant medical malpractice law and litigation experience from exposure at a law firm, governmental entity, or as in-house counsel, preferably at a large academic healthcare facility or hospital, governmental entity, or experience working for a component of The University of Texas System in a legal capacity.



It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http\://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

The Legal Officer – Litigation (“Legal Officer”) will serve as in-house counsel focused on managing medical malpractice claims and complaints against the Institution and its staff.  The Legal Officer will also be expected to assist with managing and handling some employment and business-related litigation matters, Texas Medical Board and Nursing Board complaints, outside litigation matters, and subpoenas.  The Legal Officer will often manage actions with the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of General Counsel, and private outside counsel.  


JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES 

1.    Serves as a litigation attorney within the Legal Services Department by primarily overseeing, managing, and handling medical malpractice claims and complaints against the Institution and its staff.  This person will also oversee, manage, and handle some employment litigation, business-related litigation, and responses to Texas Medical Board complaints.  This person will work with outside counsel from, including but not limited to The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas, and private law firms, on claims, complaints, and litigation matters as appropriate.

2.    This person will work with The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas, and private law firms, as appropriate, in overseeing, managing, and handling requests for documents or testimony in litigation between third parties to which MD Anderson is not a party.

3.    Performs all functions of a legal professional employed as in-house counsel as directed by the Managing Legal Officers and upper leadership, including communications with clients and preparation of legal opinions, memoranda, documents, reports, presentations, and negotiation of agreements.

4.    Provides guidance and legal expertise to leadership, managers or other attorneys regarding medical malpractice risk reduction issues that may arise in connection with claims and potential claims.

5.    Collaborates closely with Risk Management and other attorneys in Legal Services on a wide range of assignments related to risk and liability issues, litigation defense, and reduction of exposure.

6.    Conducts prompt investigations of claims and lawsuits including witness interviews, document review, and consultation with other departments.

7.    Assists with responses to subpoenas in federal and state court civil and criminal matters and in response to those served by regulatory agencies.

8.    Helps oversee the process of assisting MD Anderson's physicians who serve in expert and fact witness roles in litigation matters to which MD Anderson is not a party.

9.    Research legal issues as necessary and drafts legal memos, motions, and briefs.

10.    Assists the Office of the Attorney General, Office of General Counsel, and outside defense counsel with the preparation of trial defense, including witness identification and preparation, discovery, development of declarations/affidavits, pre-trial motions, trial exhibits, jury selection, and attends and represents MD Anderson at mediations, hearings, and trials.

11.    Assists in the evaluation of Institutional exposure and recommends settlement or defense of cases/claims where appropriate.

12.    Prepares case briefings for the Managing Legal Officer, Deputy Chief Legal Officer, and upper leadership describing facts, liability, defenses and strategic recommendations. 

13.    Maintains current knowledge of sovereign immunity, general tort, and medical malpractice developments in the law.

Legal Resource

1.    Uses superior verbal and written communication skills and superior interpersonal skills and acts with an appropriate sense of urgency to respond to matters.  Assumes responsibility for creating and maintaining a harmonious work environment and provides stellar customer service to all internal stakeholders.

2.    Presents educational programs to staff on legal subjects relating litigation risks and reduction, changes in Texas or Federal law, and other similar legal topics.

3.    Establishes and maintains litigation files that (a) permit access by authorized persons with a need to know, (b) are organized to facilitate efficient document retrieval, and (c) contain a summary of key information.

4.    Establishes and maintains a database of lawsuits and claims, and periodically reviews this information with the Managing Legal Officer and Deputy Chief Legal Officer.

5.    Prepares periodic reports on claims/lawsuits for departmental monthly and annual reports, senior management, governmental agencies and other entities, as needed.

6.    Assumes responsibility for maintaining professional licensure, fulfilling professional continuing education requirements, and maintaining current knowledge of legal matters relating to litigation.

7.    Assists with the review and development of Institutional policies and procedures as requested.

8.    As requested, provides general Institutional support and serves on MD Anderson committees.


Other

1.    Performs other duties, as necessary or desirable, to assist the Legal Services Department in providing timely and effective legal services to a large academic healthcare institution.