Project Specialist/Litigation Manager Legal Services (General Litigation)

The General Litigation Project Specialist/Litigation Manager is responsible for independently overseeing and managing a high volume of active litigations pending with the General Litigations Outside Counsel Program related to personal injury matters. Specifically, the Project Specialist/Litigation Manager will enter case notes, recommend the strategy and resolution of pending matters, assess the value of cases, reserve cases and prepare and present requests for authority. Additionally, the Project Specialist/Litigation Manager will support the Associate General Counsel by managing and developing litigation metrics reports and managing litigation through the use of technology to optimize performance.

Core Responsibilities

• The General Litigation Project Specialist/Litigation Manager is responsible for independently overseeing and managing a high volume of active litigations pending with the General Litigation's Outside Counsel Program related to personal injury matters. Specifically, the Project Specialist/Litigation Manager will enter case notes, recommend the strategy and resolution of pending matters, assess the value of cases, reserve cases and prepare and present requests for authority. Additionally, the Project Specialist/Litigation Manager will manage and develop litigation metrics reports and manage litigation through the use of technology to optimize performance.
• Able to independently assess liability, direct strategy of and value a large volume of personal injury active litigations being handled by Outside Counsel, including gathering and analyzing relevant facts, reviewing status reports and regularly communicating with outside counsel.
• Timely submit reserve requests and independently draft settlement authority requests for either the Assistant or Associate General Counsels review.
• Perform annual audits of all active litigation and present to the Assistant or Associate General Counsel on performance of firms.
• Have keen awareness of high exposure cases and ensure insurance carrier is put on notice, as needed, as well as Assistant and/or Associate General Counsel.
• Ensure outside counsel timely submits litigation budgets and ensure budgets are complied with.
• As needed, assist with preparing Outside Counsel Requests for Proposal for the addition of new firms.
• Participate in and help to plan annual Outside Counsel onboarding/expectations meetings.
• Liaise between internal investigators and outside counsel, including transmission of internal documents as well as procurement of materials needed for motion practice and litigation strategy development.
• Attend trial and/or mediations as needed.
• Work with outside counsel to identify risk transfer opportunities and facilitate issuing tenders.
• Continue to keep updated on relevant laws and decisions that affect inventory of cases managed.
• Assist the company during system emergencies by performing a System Emergency Assignment. This may require off-hour and weekend emergency response.
• Perform other tasks and assignments as required.

Required Education/Experience

• High School Diploma/GED 7 years related experience
• Associate's Degree 5 years related experience or
• Bachelor's Degree 3 years related experience or
• Master's Degree 2 years related experience

Relevant Work Experience

• Fundamental understanding of the litigation process is required.
• Experience managing high volume of litigation handled by outside counsel, required.
• Fundamental understanding of insurance coverage, case valuation, litigation strategy and reserve process, required.
• Skilled in Excel; Word; Power Point; SharePoint; Law Manager or other Legal Management Databases; and outside procurement workflows, required.
• Highly organized; very detail oriented; committed to continuous improvement, required.
• Good proof-reader; good command of spelling and grammar, required.
• Track record of managing to deadlines and managing others to deadlines, required.
• Quick learner willing to take on new challenges to improve work product; desire to continue training, required.
• Experience creating polished documents or presentations, required.
• Ability to organize and coordinate projects effectively and efficiently, required.
• Flexibility and ability to handle busy work environment, required.
• Fundamental understanding of the financial data and insurance reimbursement process, preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Driver's License Required
• Other: New York Adjusting License Preferred

Additional Physical Demands

• Must be able to respond to Company emergencies by performing a System Emergency Assignment to restore service to our customers.
• Must be able and willing to travel within Company service territory, as needed.