Appellate Attorney

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Job Type:

Job Description:

With minimal supervision research and analyze no-fault insurance and negligence laws to render legal advice to Staff Counsel and clients, including Claims management, specifically regarding appellate issues. Handle appeals on behalf of ACG.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities (details of the basic job functions):

• Research and draft memoranda of law, motions, and briefs on complex insurance legal issues for Claims management and ACG business leaders.

• Research and draft appellate briefs for the relevant appellate courts.

• Attend and occasionally chair Appeals Committee meetings, providing input on appellate issues and decisions, reporting on appeals handled by Staff Counsel Appellate Attorney, and communicating with appellate counsel.

• Provide specialized knowledge in support of department projects related to litigation and appeals.

• Review and analyze the No Fault Act, applicable case law, insurance policies, and issues involving first and third-party claims.

• Keep abreast of emerging no-fault related case law, summarizing and analyzing new case law for Staff Counsel and Claims management.

• Draft legal alerts for Staff Counsel and Claims management

• Attend and argue substantive motions at the circuit court levels and appeals in the relevant appellate courts.

• Provide advice to Staff Counsel and Claims management with insurance coverage issues.

• Participate regularly in Claims Legal Council Program; periodically attend CAT Loss, BI Claims Coverage, and BI Claims round table meetings.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

How you will benefit:

• Our Appellate Attorney will earn a competitive annual salary of $131,000 - $157,000 with annual bonus potential, based on performance.

• Excellent and comprehensive benefits packages are just another reason to work for the Auto Club Group. Benefits include:

  • 401k Match

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

  • Paid Holidays

  • Tuition Reimbursement

Required Qualifications (these are the minimum requirements to qualify)

Education (include minimum education and any licensing/certifications):

• Juris Doctor Degree or graduate of accredited law school

• Member of the State Bar of applicable state

Experience:

• Litigation experience at district and/or circuit court level, including motion practice

• Ten (10) years' experience (at least five years as a practicing attorney) in first party no-fault and third-party auto negligence litigation and claims experience, including knowledge of current, significant case law in the assigned state.

• Experience practicing in the Michigan Court of Appeals and/or Michigan Supreme Court, including drafting appellate briefs

• Excellent oral/written communication skills (writing samples will be required at time of interview to include appellate brief sample)

• Oral argument before relevant appellate courts beyond trial court

• Evaluating situations, facts and issues and drawing accurate conclusions

• Organizing, planning, and prioritizing large projects

• Conducting in-depth research and analysis of legal documents and outcomes

• Preparing written documents and correspondence, to include motions, briefs, memoranda of law, and insurance coverage letters.

• Extensive experience in drafting dispositive motions in district and circuit courts

• Working with all levels of management

Knowledge of (Items are applicable to the requirements of the assigned state):

• Civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence

• Michigan's No-Fault Act and significant case law

• Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research

• Discovery methods and techniques

• First party and third-party litigation, including current, significant case law in the assigned state

• Tort liability law, including applicable theories of recovery and the appropriate defenses to those theories

• Insurance Law, including familiarity with Uniform Trade Practices Law & Principles of bad faith actions

• Auto and Homeowner insurance policy provisions

• Principles of insurance contract construction and interpretation

• Court Rules, including appellate court rules and time deadlines, and motion practice and appellate practice in the assigned state

• Software applications to include spreadsheets, database applications, word processing programs, computerized legal research software, etc.

• Principles, methods, and resources involved in legal research

• Professional ethics relating to relationship of house counsel to insured

Skills and Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with other attorneys, court officers, claims representatives and others in a work environment

• Analyze, organize, and present facts, evidence, and related materials effectively in both written and oral forms

• Utilize office computer software including claims litigation management systems

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in:

• Trial experience

Knowledge of:

• Defense trial practice demonstrated through in-depth research projects, self-education, seminars presentations, membership in related professional organizations or other activities.

• Company operations and quality of service, demonstrated by participation in Staff Counsel to enhance operations and services.

IV. Work Environment

Reporting to the Detroit office 2 days a week and working from home 3 days a week. This is subject to change based on amendments and/or modifications to the ACG Flex Work policy

Important Note:

The above statements describe the principle and essential functions, but not all functions that may be inherent in the job. This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants, as needed, to enable them to fulfil these requirements.

Who We Are

Become a part of something bigger.

The Auto Club Group (ACG) provides membership, travel, insurance, and financial service offerings to approximately 14+ million members and customers across 14 states and 2 U.S. territories through AAA, Meemic, and Fremont brands. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation and is the second largest AAA club in North America.

By continuing to invest in more advanced technology, pursuing innovative products, and hiring a highly skilled workforce, AAA continues to build upon its heritage of providing quality service and helping our members enjoy life's journey through insurance, travel, financial services, and roadside assistance.

And when you join our team, one of the first things you'll notice is that same, whole-hearted, enthusiastic advocacy for each other.

We have positions available for every walk of life! AAA prides itself on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, realizing our differences make us stronger.

To learn more about AAA The Auto Club Group visit www.aaa.com