Director, Trial Attorney BI/UM

Why USAA?

Lets do something that really matters.

At USAA, we have an important mission: facilitating the financial security of millions of U.S. military members and their families. Not all our employees served in our nations military, but we all share in the mission to give back to those who did. Were working as one to build a great experience and make a real impact for our members.

We believe in our core values of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and service. Theyre what guides everything we do from how we treat our members to how we treat each other. Come be a part of what makes us so special!

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dedicated Director, Trial Attorney for our Washington, MD USAA staff counsel law office location.

USAA values a work culture that is highly collaborative, and we have found that this position will offer a flexible work environment where your time will include working from home to include our local staff counsel office. The actual days onsite will be determined between you and your direct staff counsel leader. You are expected to travel to attend trial, hearings, depositions, or other case related proceedings within the states of Maryland, DC, and/or Virginia. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

In this position you will lead a team of Legal Assistants and Trial Attorneys that provide legal representation to defend USAA members, insured clients and USAA entities in all phases of civil litigation that result from covered property and casualty claim losses. The scope of work includes all litigation phases from the inception of the case, discovery, mediation/arbitration, and trial, including post-trial motions and appeals. You will ensure the firm staff provides the highest level of service for clients and internal customers. You will exercise discretion and judgment in litigation and legal proceeding matters to ensure they are resolved efficiently.

What you'll do:

• Manages a group of attorneys defending USAA members and USAA in litigation. Legally accountable under all state and local rules (including any state bar regulations) for ensuring proper legal work on litigation cases and compliant operation of a staff counsel office.

• Responsible for litigation case load distribution to attorneys, workflow adjustments and day to day operations within the office.

• Responsible for individual caseload of insurance defense cases (Automobile, Homeowners and any other insurance offered by USAA if appropriate) from the inception of the case, discovery, mediation/arbitration, and trial, including post-trial motions and appeals.

• Provides legal advice, develops, and implements legal strategy and ongoing expense projections to Claims Litigation and clients, as appropriate on assigned cases. May also provide advice and handle matters not yet in litigation.

• Prepares legal pleadings, motions, statements, memoranda, trial briefs and other legal documents on assigned cases.

• Appears in court as required, including arbitrations, trials, and mediations. Conducts direct settlement negotiations with plaintiffs attorneys.

• Remains current on all relevant statutes, case law and trial-related technology.

• Provides training to other attorneys, support staff, P&C Claims and Claims Litigation regarding changes in law, litigation and/or and other processes.

• Builds and oversees a team of employees for assigned functional area through ongoing execution of recruiting, development, retention, coaching and support, performance management, and managerial activities.

• Responsible for oversight that all Staff Counsel policies and procedures are followed and assists in the development of policies and procedures necessary for the compliant operation of the office in its specific locale.

• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

What you have:

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited school.

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required.

• 8 years of experience practicing law handling litigation with trial experience.

• 3 years of team lead or management experience.

• Licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction(s) served.

• Active member and in good standing of the bar in at least one state or territory.

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Tools.

• Ability to perform online legal research.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

What sets you apart:

• Eight plus years handling personal injury/property damage cases within a staff counsel setting in the state(s) of Maryland, DC, and/or Virginia as a Managing Trial Attorney or Senior Trial Attorney leading a team.

• Heavy first chair trial experience, including verdicts, in Maryland, DC, and/or Virginia courts.

• Insurance defense experience working in-house staff counsel.

• Experience mentoring and developing junior Trial Attorneys.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

What we offer:

Compensation: USAA has an effective process for assessing market data and establishing ranges to ensure we remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range based on your experience and market data of the position. The actual salary for this role may vary by location. The salary range for this position is: $158,960 - $303,830.

Employees may be eligible for pay incentives based on overall corporate and individual performance and at the discretion of the USAA Board of Directors.

Benefits: At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.

For more details on our outstanding benefits, please visit our benefits page on USAAjobs.com.

Applications for this position are accepted on an ongoing basis, this posting will remain open until the position is filled. Thus, interested candidates are encouraged to apply the same day they view this posting.

USAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.