Manager Litigation

Job Overview

Taking care of people is at the heart of everything we do, and we start by taking care of you, our valued colleague. A career at Sedgwick means experiencing our culture of caring. It means having flexibility and time for all the things that are important to you. It’s an opportunity to do something meaningful, each and every day. It’s having support for your mental, physical, financial and professional needs. It means sharpening your skills and growing your career. And it means working in an environment that celebrates diversity and is fair and inclusive. 

A career at Sedgwick is where passion meets purpose to make a positive impact on the world through the people and organizations we serve. If you are someone who is driven to make a difference, who enjoys a challenge and above all, if you’re someone who cares, there’s a place for you here. Join us and contribute to Sedgwick being a great place to work.

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Manager Litigation

PRIMARY PURPOSE:  The Designated Litigation Manager acts as the pool client representative, oversees the pool’s liability program, ensures the application of management principles to the litigation process, and to Sedgwick pools' use of outside counsel. The role is responsible for strategy, planning, controlling, organizing, implementing, oversight, and monitoring in the context of legal services and related costs. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acts as the pool client representative.
  • Analyzes inquiries and provides guidance related to memorandums of coverage, risk transfer, the litigation process, case strategy, and additional covered parties’ issues.
  • Reviews member contracts submitted to pool administration, prepares presentations on claims and issues of interest for meetings and/or strategic planning.
  • Attends member meetings and introductions, addresses concerns involving members, third-party administrator (TPA) or case development.
  • Provides training materials and presentations for members and trainings, and coordinates with pool administrator on cases, claims, and messaging.
• Oversees the pool’s liability program.
  • Represents the pool in liability matters by participating in litigation proceedings as the representative of the pool; attends mock trials, focus groups, mediations, settlement conferences, and trials.
  • Prepares claim processing instructions for use by TPA, prepares and revises policies as necessary, conducts quarterly file reviews with TPA, and provides feedback to TPA on claim handling concerns.
  • Reviews TPA recommendations on government claim actions, provides direction and recommendations on government claim responses; monitors TPA for compliance with TPA’s contractual obligations, and annual memorandum of coverage (MOC) review.
  • Reviews monthly financial and/or litigation reports from TPA, conducts annual review of defense panel, updates defense panel, communicates with admin team regarding various litigation management/MOC/member issues; responds to audits.
  • Attends meetings of the pool’s committees related to claims matters, litigation and MOC, attends meetings of the pool’s board of directors, and attends meetings of the pool’s committees related to claims, oversight, or governance.
• Ensures application of management principles to the litigation process and the use of outside counsel.
  • Responsible for the early assignment of defense counsel (DC) to high-exposure incidents upon notification and notification to board and pool administration of potential high-exposure losses; coordinates with member, TPA, reinsurers, excess carriers, and defense counsel on strategy and experts.
  • Reviews information to evaluate cases, including police and investigation reports; receives and reviews incoming Defense Counsel status reports; communicates with defense counsel and prepares communications regarding further strategy.
  • Receives and reviews pleadings/discovery; researches and reviews available tools for valuation, recommends consultants, assess alternative dispute resolution options, determines desired course of action for case disposition.
• Manages the pool’s litigation and legal claims via prelitigation management and the management of litigated matters. 
  • Performs preliminary review of new matters for coverage and coordination with coverage or board counsel.
  • Reviews litigation budget and initial reserves.
  • Presentation and discussion of case-specific information to the pool’s applicable committee or board for informational purposes, or to obtain settlement authority or approval; provide strategic direction and decision-making at trial when required; monitor trials and provide feedback and recommendations to trial counsel.

Position Approval: Appointment to position of Litigation Manager pursuant to the Pool’s governing documents.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Licensing

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited college or university required. Current license(s) to practice law in the pool’s jurisdiction or jurisdiction(s).

Experience

Eight (8) years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of the litigation and trial process in the pool’s jurisdiction
• Working knowledge of discovery process, evidentiary rules, and civil procedure
• Sufficient knowledge to assess the performance of counsel at trial
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills
• PC literate, including Microsoft Office products
• Analytical and interpretive skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Ability to create and complete comprehensive, accurate and constructive written reports
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to meet or exceed Performance Competencies

WORK ENVIRONMENT

When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.

Mental:  Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines

Physical:  Sit for extended periods (up to eight hours) in non-office settings (such as courtroom galleries) computer keyboarding, travel as required

Auditory/Visual:  Hearing, vision and talking

The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description.  They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances.  Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.

Sedgwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, consider applying for it anyway! Sedgwick is building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and recognizes that each person possesses a unique combination of skills, knowledge, and experience. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.