Insurance Defense Trial Attorney

Overview

Being good neighbors – helping people, investing in our communities, and making the world a better place – is who we are at State Farm. It is at the core of how we operate and the reason for our success. We're moving with urgency to become a Next Gen Good Neighbor, with technology that strengthens human connections and enhances the customer experience. As an employee, you'll spend less time navigating systems and more time applying judgment, empathy, and expertise in the moments that matter most.

Responsibilities

As a Fortune 50 company, we hire the best employees to serve our customers, making us a leader in the insurance and financial services industry. In 2024, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity named State Farm a Top Performer and Compass Award Winner. Additionally, Fortune named State Farm one of the World's Most Admired Companies. Our mission is to provide high quality legal services in a cost-effective manner and to act as strategic thinking partners for our client and customers. To succeed, we need self-starters who are agile, creative, collaborative, strategic, passionate, and communicative. Rebecca (Missie) Hendry & Associates, insurance staff counsel for State Farm Insurance Companies, is seeking an Attorney to join our growing St. Petersburg Claim Litigation office. While every day can provide different experiences and opportunities, State Farm attorneys maintain their own caseload from inception to conclusion. The role involves case ownership, participating in litigation events, and meeting with clients. We encourage a collaborative environment where our attorneys can assist each other and have access to support staff while maintaining ownership of their files. As a result of not being billed by the hour, our attorneys have the opportunity to strategize on trial and case development as it passes through litigation. State Farm creates an environment inclusive of career development opportunities. The position is classified as a hybrid role, meaning that the work arrangement calls for hours in the office and virtually. Everyone in a hybrid role is required to spend time in the office. Work arrangements could change over time based on business needs.

Location: 100 2nd Avenue South, Suite 500 S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Handle litigation and other legal assignments in accordance with guidelines established by the Law Department
• Prepare and summarize reports for proceedings
• Trial strategy and case development
• Attend litigation events including trials, mediations, depositions, and hearings

Qualifications

Previous experience required

• 3-10 years of civil/trial experience handling bodily injury/uninsured motorist automobile injury lawsuits is strongly preferred
• Criminal jury trial experience will be considered

Key skills required

• Jury trial, mediation, deposition experience
• File ownership
• Knowledge of local and state discovery rules, trial procedures, and applicable substantive law commensurate with level of experience
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in a team setting

Technology/software experience required

• Ability to work efficiently with cases in electronic form
• Working knowledge of a Case Management system
• Working Knowledge of a Document Storage system

Education requirements including licenses and certifications

• J.D. from an A.B.A. Accredited Law School with excellent academic credentials
• Must have an active law license to practice in the state of Florida and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Florida

Additional details

• Applicants are required to be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately. State Farm will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work opportunities
• Other than authorized and pro bono work, State Farm attorneys are not permitted to handle any legal business outside of State Farm and candidates must cease all outside practice and all suit involvement before joining State Farm
• Travel via personal or commercial transportation to job related activities is an essential function
  • Consideration will be given for attorneys who live in Sarasota and are willing to drive to Charlotte and Lee Counties
• Irregular hours may be required

Our Benefits

Because work-life balance is a priority at State Farm, compensation is based on our standard 38:45-hour work week!

• Potential starting salary range: $107,000.00 - $195,000.00
  • Starting salary will be based on skills, background, and experience
  • High end of the range limited to applicants with significant relevant experience
• Potential yearly incentive pay up to 24% of base salary

At State Farm, we offer more than just a paycheck. Check out our suite of benefits designed to give you the flexibility you need to take care of you and your family!

• Get Paid! On top of our competitive pay, you are eligible for an annual raise and bonus.
• Stay Well! Focus on you and your family's health with our robust health and wellbeing programs. State Farm pays most of your healthcare premium, and we offer multiple healthcare plan options, including a high deductible plan. All medical plans provide 100% coverage for in-network preventative care, AND you and your family have access to vision, dental, telemedicine, 24/7 mental health professionals, and much more!
• Develop and Grow! Take advantage of educational benefits like industry leading training programs, top-notch tuition assistance programs, employee resource groups, and mentoring.
• Plan Ahead! Plan for those big moments in life with benefits like fertility/IVF/adoption assistance, college coaching, national discount programs, interactive monthly financial workshops, free financial coaching, and more. You can also start a savings account or consider financing through our State Farm Federal Credit Union!
• Take a Little "You" Time! You will have access to our generous time off policies designed so you can plan around holidays, family events, volunteering, or just to take a relaxing day off. With the opportunity to initially earn up to 20 days annually plus parental leave, paid holidays, celebration day, life leave (40 hours/year), bereavement leave, and community service/education support days, there will be plenty of time for you!
• Give Back! We offer several ways to give back through our Matching Gift Program, Good Neighbor Grant Program, and the Employee Assistance Fund.
• Finish Strong! Plan for retirement using free financial advisors and a 401(k) plan with company contributions of up to 7% of your salary.

Visit our State Farm Careers page for more information on our benefits, locations, and the hiring process of joining the State Farm team!