Associate General Counsel Medical Malpractice Litigation

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

Emorys Office of the General Counsel (OGC) seeks an experienced and highly motivated Associate General Counsel to support Emory Healthcares defense of medical malpractice and general liability claims and related litigation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Healthcare Litigation Counsel (CHLC) the Associate General Counsel will join an outstanding group of teammates and will play a key role in managing the medical and general liability caseload at one of the nations leading academic health systems and the largest healthcare provider in the state of Georgia. Additionally this individual will partner with clinical and administrative leaders and ensure that litigation matters are handled efficiently strategically and in alignment with Emorys mission and values.

The Associate General Counsel will assist in all phases of professional and general liability litigation including claim evaluation discovery motion practice hearings mediations and trial preparation. This individual will work closely with outside counsel Emory Healthcare leadership Risk Management and Emory Healthcares insurance partners. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing mission-driven in-house litigation team within one of the nations top academic health systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the CHLC the Associate Counsel will

Litigation Management & Case Handling:

• Assist in managing and resolving medical malpractice and general liability claims and lawsuits involving Emory Healthcare.
• Handle assigned litigation matters directly including factual investigation legal research drafting pleadings discovery motions and trial preparation.
• Participate in depositions mediations arbitrations and court proceedings as needed.
• Develop case assessments liability analyses and damages evaluations to inform litigation strategy.
• Assist in identifying recommending and implementing strategies to reduce risk exposure.
• Maintain accurate up-to-date information on all claims and litigation matters within Emory Healthcares claims management system.

Working With Outside Counsel:

• Serve as a key liaison between the Office of the General Counsel and outside counsel.
• Support the CHLC in supervising evaluating and managing outside counsel performance and litigation budgets.
• Review drafts of pleadings motions reports and settlement recommendations prepared by outside counsel.

Client Counseling & Internal Collaboration:

• Provide timely practical legal advice to clinicians administrators and leadership regarding liability exposures litigation developments and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with the Office of Quality Risk Management Insurance various committees and clinical and operational leadership to facilitate responsive informed litigation management.
• Assist with preparation of litigation reports and updates for Emory Healthcare leadership including senior executives and board committees.

Insurance & Claims Activities:

• Support insurance-related functions including reviewing coverage issues assisting with communications with insurance carriers and participating in claims reviews.

Education & Compliance:

• Conduct or participate in educational sessions for physicians residents nurses and staff on risk management documentation and litigation avoidance.
• Stay informed of developments in relevant healthcare laws medical malpractice trends and legislative changes affecting litigation.

Professional Engagement:

• Maintain positive working relationships with internal stakeholders opposing counsel insurers and court personnel.
• Represent Emory Healthcare in professional associations or relevant bar groups as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an ABA accredited law school. Four years of related experience. Member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia or the ability to become a member within one year.
• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• License in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8 years of litigation experience preferably with significant exposure to medical malpractice healthcare litigation or professional liability claims.
• Experience conducting and managing discovery depositions motion practice and negotiation in complex litigation matters.
• Strong analytical research writing and advocacy skills.
• Admission to the Georgia Bar or eligibility to obtain Georgia licensure promptly upon hire.
• Experience representing hospitals healthcare providers or health systems.
• Familiarity with insurance coverage issues and defense-side litigation budgeting.
• Prior in-house government or firm experience involving medical malpractice defense.
• Trial experience (first- or second-chair) or substantial evidentiary hearing experience.

Key Competencies & Attributes:

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in high stakes matters and convey complex information clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to inspire trust and collaborate effectively with teammates clinicians and executives.
• A proactive solution-oriented mindset with a commitment to service and professionalism.
• High integrity discretion and commitment to Emorys mission and values.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a coordinated litigation team.
• Work well on a team and bring a spirit of engagement enthusiasm and innovation.

Work Location & Travel:

• This position is based in Atlanta Georgia; candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to Atlanta Georgia.
• In-office attendance required at least two days per week subject to change at the discretion of the organization.
• Travel may be required for depositions hearings mediations and meetings

Other benefits

Emorys compensation is competitive with similar universities and comes with outstanding benefits including:

• A generous contribution from the university in an amount up to an additional 9% of your salary to your 403(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan.
• Comprehensive medical dental and vision insurance including a three-tier plan that lowers your deductibles and out of pocket maximums even more.
• Eleven paid holidays and two paid floating holidays.
• Three additional paid days off during the Winter Recess (Christmas to New Years.
• Four weeks of paid vacation per year which increases with length of service.
• FMLA and six weeks of paid parental leave.
• A Courtesy Scholarship program that covers between 50% and 100% of tuition for your children who apply and are admitted for enrollment in Emory University.
• An exceptional gym which employees can join for $360 annually.

Help us make the world healthier

Emory Healthcare part of Emory University is one of the nations premier academic health systems. At the forefront of medicine and research both nationally and locally Emory Healthcare puts innovative research and technology into lifesaving action. Emory Healthcare is comprised of 11 hospitals more than 580 provider locations over 6 million patient visits annually and the largest clinically integrated network in the state and is Georgias most comprehensive health system. With a workforce of more than 29000 employees and the #1 and #2 ranked hospitals in Georgia and Atlanta for each of the past 10 years Emory Healthcare is #33 on Forbes list of Dream Employers.

Emory University includes highly ranked Schools of Medicine Nursing and Public Health. Emory University and Emory Healthcare are home to a global health institute that supports initiatives in nearly 100 countries and a leading research enterprise that receives more than one billion dollars in annual sponsored research funding and is responsible for the development of lifesaving treatments such as angioplasty drug-eluting stents and the most successful and commonly used HIV/AIDS drugs in the world.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions educational programs or employment including recruitment hiring promotions transfers discipline terminations wage and salary administration benefits and training. Students faculty and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act and applicable executive orders federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination equal opportunity and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance 201 Dowman Drive Administration Building Atlanta GA 30322. Telephone: (V) (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at or call (Voice) (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.