Insurance Defense Attorney

Accountabilities: Independently manage complex insurance defense litigation matters, including high-value and high-exposure claims, from initial assessment through settlement, trial, or final resolution. Develop and execute comprehensive litigation strategies tailored to case-specific circumstances, client objectives, legal risks, and potential exposure. Draft, review, and file pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery requests, responses, and other legal documents with a high level of accuracy and professionalism. Conduct and defend depositions, prepare witnesses, manage discovery, and oversee relevant court proceedings and litigation deadlines. Represent clients throughout mediation, arbitration, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation, pursuing favorable outcomes while managing litigation costs and risks. Exercise sound independent legal judgment in significant matters, identifying potential challenges, evaluating case merits, and recommending appropriate courses of action with minimal supervision. Maintain strong working relationships with insurance carriers, claims professionals, self-insured organizations, corporate clients, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide clear, timely legal advice and case updates, communicating litigation strategies, exposure assessments, developments, and recommendations to clients. Collaborate with established attorneys and legal professionals in Western Pennsylvania to coordinate casework, share expertise, and support effective client service. Contribute to regional business growth by identifying prospective clients, cultivating professional relationships, participating in networking opportunities, and supporting the expansion of the insurance defense practice. Explore opportunities to develop a personal practice, grow an existing client portfolio, and assume broader leadership or practice-management responsibilities as appropriate. Requirements Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in Pennsylvania. Substantial professional experience in insurance defense litigation, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex cases independently. Proven experience handling high-value litigation and high-exposure claims, including the ability to assess legal risks, develop case strategies, and pursue effective resolutions. Strong legal research, writing, analytical reasoning, and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to prepare persuasive legal arguments and high-quality litigation documents. Significant experience managing discovery, conducting and defending depositions, handling procedural matters, and supporting trial preparation and court proceedings. Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, prioritize competing demands, meet critical deadlines, and manage litigation matters with limited oversight. Experience representing insurance carriers, self-insured entities, or corporate clients in insurance defense matters. Knowledge of relevant practice areas, including general liability, automobile liability, premises liability, and trucking or transportation litigation. Experience with large-loss claims or high-exposure insurance defense matters is strongly preferred. Established relationships with regional insurers, claims professionals, corporate clients, or other key stakeholders in the Western Pennsylvania legal market are advantageous. Business development experience, an established professional network, or an existing portable book of business is a significant advantage. Strong client relationship management and negotiation skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and build long-term professional trust. An entrepreneurial mindset, a proactive approach to practice development, and an interest in taking on broader leadership or business development responsibilities. High professional integrity, sound commercial judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering effective, client-focused legal services. Benefits Fully remote work: Flexibility to work remotely while handling litigation matters and maintaining client relationships within the Western Pennsylvania legal market. Full-time opportunity: A dedicated position offering the opportunity to take ownership of complex litigation and develop a long-term professional practice. High-impact legal work: Manage challenging, high-value, and high-exposure cases with meaningful responsibility for litigation strategy and outcomes. Professional autonomy: Exercise independent legal judgment and manage significant matters with minimal supervision. Practice development opportunities: Build regional client relationships, expand a professional network, and contribute to the growth of an established insurance defense practice. Career advancement potential: Opportunities to assume broader leadership, business development, and practice-management responsibilities. Collaborative professional environment: Work alongside established legal professionals while benefiting from professional collaboration and shared expertise. Client relationship development: Strengthen connections with insurers, claims professionals, self-insured organizations, and corporate clients. Compensation: Salary and additional compensation details were not specified in the original job posting and can be clarified during the recruitment process.