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 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 position is located in Westlake Village, California 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 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.