Litigation Counsel

Position Overview

Davey Tree has an exciting opportunity for a Litigation Counsel (“Counsel”) position in a dynamic, growing legal team. Davey Tree is looking for someone who is highly collaborative, focused on legal and business solutions, and has demonstrated leadership capabilities. This unique opportunity offers an attorney the chance to earn a competitive, market-based salary, receive a generous annual bonus, and progressively expand their role and responsibilities within the legal department.

The Counsel position will work closely with Senior Litigation Counsel and will be responsible for managing and assisting with all of Davey Tree’s auto liability and general liability (third-party property damage and personal injury) lawsuits.  Counsel will manage Davey Tree’s outside counsel and insurers to ensure the timely and appropriate handling of litigation to resolution.  

Hybrid (Minimum 3 days in office); occasional travel required

Job Duties

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Manage and assist with all aspects of auto and general liability litigation matters in state and federal courts across the country, including supervising outside counsel, collecting facts and evidence, directing case strategies, reviewing budgets and invoices, and advising internal stakeholders on case updates and liability risk.
• Assist with management of outside counsel in litigation matters (such as negotiating fee arrangements, cost-effective staffing of matters, and setting and executing a litigation strategy to achieve best possible outcomes).
• Review and advise on substantive work related to litigation, including retention of experts, editing legal briefs and discovery responses, and directing and participating in settlement negotiations.
• Participate in and provide direction and guidance to outside counsel in mediations, arbitrations, and trials. 
• Counsel internal stakeholders on claim/litigation trend analyses and risk reduction. 
• Advise internal stakeholders on risk management strategies and develop and implement preventative measures.
• Establish and maintain relationships and trust with business and support department partners.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance in business operations.
• Provide strategic legal advice and counsel to internal clients regarding legal and litigation risks.
• Learn and understand all aspects of Davey Tree’s business. 

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed (and in good standing) in Ohio.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in all aspects of litigation and/or litigation management, including preparing and arguing motions, conducting depositions, large case discovery and document productions, brief writing, pre-trial activities, and trials.
• Management of litigation docket and outside counsel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively with outside counsel, colleagues, internal stakeholders, and leadership.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Experience managing and working collaboratively with support staff.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and mitigate legal risks, assess complex legal issues, and devise practical strategies and solutions.
• Ability to address multiple priorities and set priorities independently with strong time management skills.
• Experience counseling clients on a wide variety of litigation and legal risk issues.
• Excellent analytical, practical, strategic, and advocacy skills.
• Interest in Davey Tree’s mission.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and high ethical, moral, and personal values that align with Davey Tree’s values.

Additional Information

What We Offer: *

• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Opportunities for advancement
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Employee-owned company & discounted stock purchase options
• Group Health Plan
• Employee referral bonus program
• Scholarship Program for Children of Employees
• Charitable matching gift program
• Attorney Bar Fees and Continuing Legal Education credits paid

*all listed benefits available to eligible employees

Company Overview

Davey Tree is an employee-owned company that provides tree, utility, lawn care, and environmental consulting services throughout the United States and Canada.  Davey Tree was founded in 1880 and has been employee-owned for more than 40 years and has more than 11,000 employees.  Davey Tree provides a wide range of arboriculture, horticulture, and environmental and consulting services to private companies, public utilities, local, state, and federal agencies, and various industrial, commercial, and residential customers. 

Divisional Overview