Vice President Litigation Claims

Our client, a vertically integrated private real estate investment and property management firm headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, is seeking a senior litigation attorney to lead their litigation and claims function as Vice President, Litigation & Claims in either their Los Angeles or Dallas office. The company owns and operates a growing portfolio of multifamily and commercial assets across nine states. They're seeking a person who will manage the full lifecycle of claims arising at our properties, selecting and directing outside counsel, partnering with insurance carriers on the handling and resolution of claims, and overseeing eviction matters across all nine states in which they operate. The ideal candidate brings the perspective of having litigated these matters firsthand, whether from the plaintiffs’ side or as a successful defense attorney. Key Responsibilities Litigation & Claims Management Manage all claims and litigation arising at company properties across nine states, including premises liability, personal injury, habitability, fair housing, ADA, landlord-tenant, and commercial disputes. Conduct early case assessment, set litigation strategy, evaluate exposure, and make settlement and resolution recommendations to leadership. Manage pre-litigation demands and claims to resolve matters efficiently before they escalate. Maintain a centralized view of the active matter portfolio, including status, reserves, key deadlines, and projected outcomes. Outside Counsel Management Select, retain, and direct outside counsel across all operating jurisdictions. Set case strategy and budgets, review and approve invoices, enforce billing guidelines, and hold counsel accountable to outcomes and cost discipline. Build and maintain a bench of qualified, jurisdiction‑specific firms. Insurance & Risk Tender claims to carriers, manage relationships with insurers and third‑party administrators, and coordinate defense efforts. Track reserves, monitor coverage positions, and pursue subrogation and recovery where appropriate. Partner with operations and asset management to identify loss‑prevention opportunities and reduce future claims exposure. Evictions Oversee and manage eviction proceedings across the portfolio, coordinating with property management teams and local counsel to ensure compliance with state‑ and jurisdiction‑specific landlord‑tenant law. Standardize and improve eviction processes and documentation across markets. Reporting & Cross‑Functional Partnership Provide regular reporting to the CEO on litigation status, exposure, spend, and trends. Advise operations, property management, and acquisitions teams on legal risk, contractual matters, and best practices. Coordinate with the Head of HR and outside employment counsel on HR‑related claims as needed (direct employment‑litigation expertise is not required). Required Qualifications Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar. Minimum 10 years of litigation experience; 12–15+ years strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to operate independently as a hands‑on practitioner—handling claims, strategy, and matter management directly without internal legal support staff. Demonstrated ability to select, manage, and control outside counsel and legal spend. Experience handling insurance claims and working directly with carriers and TPAs. Strong judgment, negotiation skills, and the ability to manage a high‑volume, multi‑jurisdiction matter portfolio independently. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience as a plaintiffs’ attorney, or a successful track record defending premises liability, habitability, landlord‑tenant, and related real estate matters. Experience in real estate, multifamily, and/or commercial property litigation. Multi‑state litigation and landlord‑tenant experience. Familiarity with eviction proceedings across multiple jurisdictions. Experience building or improving an in‑house claims/litigation function. #J-18808-Ljbffr Foxstone Recruiting