Assistant General Counsel - Litigation

Role Overview As a member of the Litigation Team, you will lead matters from intake through resolution, set strategy in partnership with internal business leaders and outside counsel, and help drive consistent, scalable approaches to litigation risk management across the enterprise. Responsibilities include: Serve as in‑house counsel on a portfolio of complex disputes, partnering with business clients to understand facts, objectives, and risk posture. Develop and execute litigation strategy with outside counsel, including case assessments, early‑disposition opportunities, motion practice, discovery strategy, expert strategy, and trial/arbitration preparation. Lead and oversee all phases of discovery (including eDiscovery), coordinating with internal custodians, IT, and outside counsel; ensure timely, accurate production. Prepare and counsel executives and employees for depositions, hearings, mediations, and trial testimony; align witnesses on case themes; coordinate logistics and messaging with outside counsel and internal communications as needed. Oversee, review, and edit pleadings, dispositive motions, briefs, and other court filings to ensure accuracy, consistency with strategy, and alignment with company objectives and risk tolerance. Evaluate settlement options and recommend resolution strategies; lead/support negotiations and mediations; advise on settlement authority and terms; document outcomes and learnings for continuous improvement. Partner with Law Department colleagues, business leaders, and senior management to assess and mitigate litigation exposure, drive best practices, and manage outside counsel performance and budgets. Desired Background Qualifications and experience: 10+ years of experience practicing complex civil litigation, with significant responsibility for case strategy, discovery, motion practice, and resolution. Juris Doctor (J.D.) with an exemplary academic record and admission in good standing to at least one U.S. jurisdiction; license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required. Strong business acumen and exceptional written and verbal communication skills, able to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for business leaders and senior management. Mindset of a strategic partner to the business—understands objectives and stakeholder needs, connects across the enterprise, and delivers actionable advice that drives viable solutions. Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adapt to change, operate independently, and prioritize in a dynamic environment while driving matters to completion with limited oversight. Strong judgment and business sense, balancing legal risk, business objectives, cost, and reputational considerations; comfortable managing outside counsel budgets, performance, and metrics. Proven ability to provide real‑time, solution‑oriented, succinct legal advice to professionals at all levels throughout a large enterprise, including on sensitive or high‑exposure matters. Compensation Pay Range – Start: $220,000.00 Pay Range – End: $330,000.00 This role is eligible for additional short‑term and long‑term incentive compensation. Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives. #J-18808-Ljbffr