Insurance Defense Managing Attorney

Introduction

Zenith is a team of Workers' Compensation Specialists committed to helping businesses succeed by protecting against the financial and human consequences of workplace injuries, providing for the needs of injured employees and making the workplace safer. To distinguish ourselves as the desired provider of Workers' Compensation Insurance, values such as collaboration, work-life balance, and integrity are placed at the center of all our operations. In addition, Zenith supports career advancement through a dedication to ongoing learning and development. An individual coming to Zenith will not only receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, but continuous opportunities to grow as a professional.

Overview

This individual will join the team that is responsible for civil litigation that arises from the P&C (Agribusiness) division of Zenith, and will NOT be involved in Workers Compensation litigation .

This person can sit remotely anywhere in California but must be available to attend hearings and depositions as needed on an in-person basis.

This position is part of the legal team responsible for managing and defending civil litigation arising from Zenith's P&C Agribusiness operations. This roles does not involve Workers' Compensation litigation. The Insurance Defense Managing Attorney will serve as the primary handling attorney for a portfolio of litigated and non-litigated insurance defense matters, including civil personal injury, automobile liability, and premises liability claims. Case assignments will be based on complexity, potential exposure, and strategic importance. The role requires an attorney who is ready and willing to remain actively engaged in the day-to-day practice of litigation while also contributing beyond individual case management. The successful candidate will bring the judgement, credibility, and leadership experience necessary to help evaluate, develop, and build the Company's in-house handling of insurance defense matters over time. Success in this role requires both exceptional litigation skills and the ability to contribute strategically to the continued evolution of Zenith's in-house insurance defense model. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable managing complex matters, advising partners, and helping shape the future direction of the Company's legal function.

Responsibilities

Litigation Leadership and Case Management

• Independently manage all phases of insurance defense matters, including factual and expert investigation, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, expert discovery, mediation, settlement negotiations, trial preparation, and trial.
• Handle a portfolio of litigated and non-litigated matters with varying levels of complexity and exposure while consistently delivering high-quality legal work, sound judgment, and practical strategic advice.
• Develop and execute case strategies aligned with the legal, financial, and business considerations applicable to each matter.
• Provide timely, analytically sound evaluations of liability, damages, litigation exposure, settlement opportunities, and case value; promptly communicate material changes to legal, claims, and business partners.
• Prepare and present persuasive written and oral advocacy before courts, mediators, arbitrators, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders.

Strategic Legal Partnership

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to claims professionals, business leaders, and other internal stakeholders regarding litigation strategy, risk assessment, case resolution, and related legal issues.
• Partner with claims leadership to identify litigation trends, emerging risks, and opportunities to improve claim and litigation outcomes.
• Communicate professionally and effectively in all formats and settings, including client meetings, claims file conferences, written reporting, negotiations, and court proceedings.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant case law, procedural rules, technology, local requirements, and legal and insurance industry developments that may affect liability litigation.
• In-House Defense Capability Development
• Contribute meaningfully to the assessment, development, and expansion of the Company’s in-house insurance defense capabilities while maintaining an active litigation portfolio.
• Provide informed recommendations regarding appropriate case selection, operating practices, workload considerations, legal service delivery, and opportunities to increase effective in-house handling.
• Lead, influence, or materially contribute to litigation, practice-management, process-improvement, or organizational initiatives that strengthen legal service delivery.
• Share expertise, mentor others, and promote consistent litigation management practices, sound legal judgment, and effective collaboration across legal and claims functions.
• Demonstrate the judgment and business acumen necessary to balance legal excellence, case outcomes, operational efficiency, and the long-term development of the in-house defense model.

Professional Effectiveness

• Effectively utilize technology and collaborate with legal support staff to promote efficient case management, productivity, and high-quality work product.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues, claims professionals, business partners, opposing counsel, courts, experts, and external service providers.
• Apply logical and analytical thinking to define problems, collect and assess relevant information, establish facts, and draw well-supported conclusions.
• Respond constructively to direction and feedback, consistently maintain a professional and appropriate demeanor, and work productively and harmoniously with others.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Education

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. Required
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California. Required

Work Experience

• 10+ years progressively responsible experience handling civil insurance defense litigation, including substantial responsibility for case strategy, litigation management, and client counseling. An equivalent combination of relevant training and experience may be considered. Required
• Experience working closely with in-house insurance legal and claims teams in complex or high-exposure liability matters. Preferred
• Experience leading, influencing, or materially contributing to significant litigation, operational, practice-management, process-improvement, or organizational initiatives. Preferred
• Demonstrated success developing legal processes, improving service delivery models, mentoring attorneys or claims professionals, or implementing litigation management best practices. Preferred
• Experience managing/supervising attorneys. Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex personal injury, automobile liability, premises liability, or comparable civil defense matters through significant phases of litigation, including trial preparation and trial.
• Proven ability to evaluate litigation risk, formulate legal strategy, provide practical business-focused advice, and communicate effectively with insurance claims and legal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership through formal leadership responsibilities or through leading matters, mentoring others, influencing strategy, improving legal processes, or driving practice or operational initiatives.
• Exceptional legal analysis, written and oral advocacy, negotiation, organization, relationship-management, and professional judgment.
• Demonstrated understanding of the legal, operational, and financial considerations that influence insurance litigation, claim resolution, and decisions regarding in-house versus external handling.
• Proven ability to build credibility and productive relationships across legal, claims, and business functions.
• Demonstrated interest and aptitude for helping evaluate, develop, and expand in-house legal capabilities while continuing to personally manage an active litigation portfolio.

Pay, Benefits, and Other Information

The expected salary range for this position is $207,178.86 - $240,856.09. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors as permitted by law. Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level. Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D and Disability Insurance
• 401(k), Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Education and Training Reimbursement
• Paid Leave: 3 weeks/year Vacation, 2 weeks/year Sick Leave
• 10 paid Company Holidays, 2 Personal Days, 2 Floating Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• For more information, review details on the Benefits page of our Career Site:

Zenith typically posts jobs for a minimum of 8 to 14 calendar days. Zenith Insurance Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. In compliance with California law, we are committed to fair hiring practices. Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act (AB 1008), we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the law. Additionally, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, we will not inquire about an applicant’s criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need assistance accessing our career center or applying for a position due to your disability, you are entitled to request an accommodation. To make a request, please contact a Human resources representative at Zenith Insurance Company.#LI-EF1#LI-Remote