Associate General Counsel

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Description

Emory’s Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”) seeks an experienced and highly motivated Associate General Counsel to support Emory Healthcare’s 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 nation’s 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 Emory’s 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 Healthcare’s insurance partners. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing, mission-driven in-house litigation team within one of the nation’s 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 Healthcare’s 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 Emory’s 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

Emory’s 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 nation’s 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 Georgia’s most comprehensive health system. With a workforce of more than 29,000 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.

Additional Details

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 Veteran's 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: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (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 [email protected] or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.