AVP Litigation Counsel

The Litigation Counsel for the U.S. Segment (John Hancock) and Global Wealth and Asset Management works as a member of a highly experienced team of attorneys paralegals and administrative staff.

The Litigation Counsel reports to the Chief Litigation Counsel for John Hancock and Global Wealth and Asset Management (GWAM) and has responsibility for the management of litigation matters in which Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) John Hancock or an affiliated entity is a party.

Position Responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing strategy for defensive and affirmative litigation for the US Segment GWAM and other MFC legal entities and ensuring the smooth of that strategy internally and by outside counsel;
• Advising and assisting Manulife Investment Managements U.S. Retirement team as well as providing guidance regarding related legacy group annuity products. In this role Litigation Counsel provides analysis and advice regarding ERISA fiduciary duties prohibited transactions and retirement plan administration;
• Effectively managing litigation costs to achieve favorable litigation and alternative dispute resolution outcomes. Managing compliance with MFC policies and practices to reduce legal costs while increasing the scope of services that the US Litigation Function provides to the US Segment and GWAM;
• Providing ongoing consultation to business stakeholders and Law Department management on litigation strategies and emerging litigation risks;
• Representing the company in litigationrelated negotiations judicial proceedings mediation and arbitration;
• Supervising and having accountability for the of litigation strategy and work product generated by outside litigation counsel and inhouse US Litigation Function staff;
• Managing and coordinating thirdparty process responses in the U.S. including responding to Department of Labor audits and subpoenas;
• Actively working closely with the ediscovery team within Global Investigative & Forensics Services to implement best practices relating to the identification preservation and production of electronically stored information in litigation and regulatory matters; and
• Drafting reviewing and coordinating the submission of internal and external litigation reporting including segments of corporate financial statements boardofdirectors memoranda audit letters and other public reporting.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 7 years of relevant litigation experience from corporate law firm government or military roles;

• Juris Doctor Degree;

• Membership in good standing in the bars of at least one U.S. state and at least one federal court for the previous 6 years (or membership in good standing in the bar of at least one Canadian province) and continued future bar membership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Superior writing and communication skills;

• Thorough knowledge of ERISA and extensive experience with ERISA litigation is strongly preferred;

• Extensive experience with all phases of complex litigation.

When you join our team:

• Well empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

• Well recognize and support you in a flexible environment where wellbeing and inclusion are more than just words.

• As part of our global team well support you in shaping the future you want to see.

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About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us visit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment retention advancement and compensation and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race ancestry place of origin colour ethnic origin citizenship religion or religious beliefs creed sex (including pregnancy and pregnancyrelated conditions) sexual orientation genetic characteristics veteran status gender identity gender expression age marital status family status disability or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process contact .

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