General Counsel Outside Litigation | Public Entity Pooling | Northern California (Sacramento)

Overview

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. The position is based in Northern California and may be remote in the region; travel is required in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze inquiries and provide guidance related to memorandums of coverage, risk transfer, the litigation process, case strategy, and additional covered parties’ issues.
• Review member contracts submitted to pool administration and prepare presentations on claims and issues of interest for meetings and/or strategic planning.
• Attend member meetings and introductions, addressing concerns involving members, third‑party administrators (TPA) or case development.
• Provide training materials and presentations for members and trainings, and coordinate with pool administrator on cases, claims, and messaging.
• Oversee the pool’s liability program.
• Represent the pool in liability matters by participating in litigation proceedings as the representative of the pool; attend mock trials, focus groups, mediations, settlement conferences, and trials.
• Prepare claim processing instructions for use by TPA, prepare and revise policies as necessary, conduct quarterly file reviews with TPA, and provide feedback to TPA on claim handling concerns.
• Review TPA recommendations on government claim actions, provide direction and recommendations on government claim responses, monitor TPA for compliance with contractual obligations, and review the annual memorandum of coverage (MOC).
• Review monthly financial and/or litigation reports from TPA, conduct annual review of the defense panel, update the panel, communicate with the admin team regarding various litigation‑management/MOC/member issues, and respond to audits.
• Attend meetings of the pool’s committees related to claims matters, litigation and MOC, the pool’s board of directors, and other governance meetings.
• Ensure application of management principles to the litigation process and the use of outside counsel.
• Assign defense counsel (DC) early to high‑exposure incidents, notify board and pool administration of potential high‑exposure losses, and coordinate with members, TPA, reinsurers, excess carriers, and defense counsel on strategy and experts.
• Review case information, including police and investigation reports; receive and review incoming defense counsel status reports; communicate with defense counsel and prepare communications regarding further strategy.
• Receive and review pleadings/discovery; research available valuation tools, recommend consultants, assess alternative dispute resolution options, and determine desired course for case disposition.
• Manage the pool’s litigation and legal claims via pre‑litigation management and management of litigated matters.
• Perform preliminary review of new matters for coverage and coordinate with coverage or board counsel.
• Review litigation budget and initial reserves.
• Present case‑specific information to the pool’s applicable committee or board 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.

Qualifications

Education & Licensing

• Eight (8) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited college or university.
• Current license(s) to practice law in the pool’s jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of the litigation and trial process in the pool’s jurisdiction.
• Working knowledge of discovery process, evidentiary rules, and civil procedure.
• Ability 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.

Performance Competencies

• Ability to meet or exceed performance expectations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary range: $150,000 to $185,000 USD (San Francisco Bay Area).
• Bonus eligible.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with matching, PTO, disability and life insurance, employee assistance, flexible spending or health savings account, and other voluntary benefits.
• Flexible work schedule and referral incentive program.
• Career development and promotional growth opportunities.

EEO & Disability Statements

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Diego Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and all other applicable laws. Sedgwick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug‑Free Workplace.

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