Litigation Counsel

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Davey Tree is seeking a Litigation Counsel in Kent, OH to join a collaborative, growth minded legal team and lead auto and general liability matters nationwide, supervising outside counsel and insurers, directing strategy, and advising internal partners on risk. The role is hybrid (minimum three days in office) with occasional travel up to 25 percent, and it comes with a market based salary, a generous annual bonus, and clear opportunities to expand responsibilities within an employee owned company of more than 11,000 people. The ideal candidate holds a JD and Ohio license, has at least three years of hands on litigation or litigation management experience, and demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and risk analysis skills, plus a proven ability to collaborate with cross functional teams. To apply, tailor your resume to highlight docket management, outside counsel oversight, successful settlements and trial work, and examples of reducing liability risk, and pair it with a cover letter that shows you understand Davey Tree’s business and values and why you want to grow there.

Company: The Davey Tree Expert Company  
Locations: Kent, OH  
Additional Locations: NA 
Work Site: Hybrid   
Req ID: 220307 

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

The Davey Tree Expert Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected class, including race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital or familial status, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as an Aboriginal or Indigenous person, or other classification protected by law.

The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. We care about our clients, each other and the world around us. We offer the resources, size and stability of a big company while maintaining the culture, entrepreneurial spirit and feel of a small one. We invest in our employees by offering industry-leading training, technology and benefits that lead to a rewarding and safe work experience at all levels. Wherever you want to grow your career, there’s a place for you at Davey. To learn more, visit Davey.com.

Accommodations: If requested by employee or otherwise as required by law, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

If you need assistance at any time, please contact us at 1-877-411-7601 or at [email protected].

Employment Type: Permanent 
Job Type: Full Time 
Travel Expectations: Up to 25%