Assistant General Counsel, Litigation Counsel

Posted:
7/17/2024, 5:00:00 PM

Location(s):
New Jersey, United States ⋅ Ewing Township, New Jersey, United States

Experience Level(s):
Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Legal & Compliance

Workplace Type:
On-site

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

Hybrid: Princeton South, NJ

Role Summary

This position directs/supervises the defense and/or prosecution of assigned Company litigation and legal claims– e.g., commercial, product liability, personal injury and employment disputes—to optimal resolution, working in coordination with internal business clients and outside counsel as needed. This attorney also counsels in-house business clients on legal risk assessment and risk avoidance. The position reports directly to the Associate General Counsel—Litigation, but also requires close coordination with all Law Department attorneys in varying legal disciplines.

Role Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Manage outside counsel defending and prosecuting the Company’s diverse litigation portfolio—developing case strategies and tactics to best reach the optimal resolution for the Company. Oversee and participate with outside counsel in all aspects of pre-litigation and litigation.
Conduct in-person investigations in connection with factual investigations, and locate, review and analyze electronic and paper documents relevant to legal claims, subpoenas, and litigation in order to develop and defend company fact-based litigation positions and to prepare discovery responses (including assisting with witness preparation for deposition testimony).
Coordinate with Regulatory and R&D professionals to help outside counsel develop scientific-based defense strategies.
Compose and edit legal briefs, pleadings, affidavits, correspondence, position statements and other written materials to ensure strong and effective advocacy for the Company in its legal matters.
Ensure the issuance of Legal Holds for anticipated or pending litigation, investigations and claims. In addition, advise company personnel regarding the requirements of the Records Management Policy and document preservation rules.
Assist the Associate General Counsel (Litigation) in directing outside counsel in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts and in mediations and arbitrations involving the Company, as well as in responses to Government investigations and administrative charges.
Drive cost-effective methods for efficient case management through early case assessments, focused discovery and pretrial efforts, strategic settlements, etc. Develop case budgets and prepare information needed for forecasting with respect to legal fees in assigned cases.
Assist outside counsel with litigation due diligence for corporate transactions (e.g., acquisitions, divestitures, etc.)
Counsel internal business clients on best practices for legal risk avoidance with regard to a host of legal issues—e.g., product liability, commercial contracts, employment, etc. Advise Consumer Relations regarding consumer product complaints as needed.
Coordinate with the Insurance Department, outside insurance carriers, and the Company’s Auditors with respect to litigation and legal claims, providing legal risk assessments and assisting in the preparation of any necessary reports.
Serve as a member of the Litigation Team, cooperating with and assisting all to accomplish team objectives.

Education and Experience

BA/BS and JD degrees from accredited institutions.
Minimum of 4+ years of litigation/litigation management experience—combination of both law firm and in-house corporate litigation experience a plus.
Litigation experience should include at a minimum product liability, personal injury, employment and commercial contract disputes.
Admitted to at least one state bar (and qualified for NJ limited bar license if plenary license is in another state).

Skills and Competencies

Thorough knowledge of civil procedure, legal research, discovery (including electronic discovery), investigations, pleadings, alternative dispute resolution, and trial and appellate practice.
Excellent and creative analytical and advocacy skills, and superb oral and written communication skills.
Effective counselling skills, with experience advising clients in all stages of civil litigation, including strategy for pre-litigation dispute resolution and risk mitigation, discovery, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and trials.
Familiarity with insurance issues related to litigation, and experience dealing with insurance carriers.
Ability to balance necessary defense efforts with legal cost considerations and business needs. Client Focused.
Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work as a member of the team, able to engage effectively and collaboratively with litigation group members, all law department personnel, all levels of management and employees across the organization, and outside counsel and law firm personnel.
Strong work ethic and sense of professionalism and discretion, demonstrating accountability, integrity, good judgment, and respect for confidentiality. Self-motivated, highly organized, detail-oriented, efficient and resourceful.
Ability to prioritize and manage substantial workload, multiple case and client demands, and shifting priorities within a fast- paced, dynamic environment under tight deadlines, and to embrace changing needs and requirements.
Good technical skills, including the ability to learn new software and applications—e.g., e-billing, e-discovery, and matter management software as well as MS Office Suite (including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).
Occasional travel may be required.

#piq #LI-Hybrid

Church & Dwight is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.com/

Church & Dwight Co. Inc

Website: https://churchdwight.com/

Headquarter Location: Trenton, New Jersey, United States

Employee Count: 5001-10000

Year Founded: 1846

IPO Status: Public

Industries: Cleaning Products ⋅ Consumer ⋅ Consumer Goods ⋅ Home Services ⋅ Manufacturing ⋅ Personal Care and Hygiene

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Assistant General Counsel, Litigation Counsel

Hybrid: Princeton South, NJ

Role Summary

Role Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Manage outside counsel defending and prosecuting the Company’s diverse litigation portfolio—developing case strategies and tactics to best reach the optimal resolution for the Company. Oversee and participate with outside counsel in all aspects of pre-litigation and litigation.

Coordinate with Regulatory and R&D professionals to help outside counsel develop scientific-based defense strategies.

Compose and edit legal briefs, pleadings, affidavits, correspondence, position statements and other written materials to ensure strong and effective advocacy for the Company in its legal matters.

Ensure the issuance of Legal Holds for anticipated or pending litigation, investigations and claims. In addition, advise company personnel regarding the requirements of the Records Management Policy and document preservation rules.

Assist the Associate General Counsel (Litigation) in directing outside counsel in all phases of litigation in state and federal courts and in mediations and arbitrations involving the Company, as well as in responses to Government investigations and administrative charges.

Drive cost-effective methods for efficient case management through early case assessments, focused discovery and pretrial efforts, strategic settlements, etc. Develop case budgets and prepare information needed for forecasting with respect to legal fees in assigned cases.

Assist outside counsel with litigation due diligence for corporate transactions (e.g., acquisitions, divestitures, etc.)

Counsel internal business clients on best practices for legal risk avoidance with regard to a host of legal issues—e.g., product liability, commercial contracts, employment, etc. Advise Consumer Relations regarding consumer product complaints as needed.

Coordinate with the Insurance Department, outside insurance carriers, and the Company’s Auditors with respect to litigation and legal claims, providing legal risk assessments and assisting in the preparation of any necessary reports.

Serve as a member of the Litigation Team, cooperating with and assisting all to accomplish team objectives.

Education and Experience

BA/BS and JD degrees from accredited institutions.

Minimum of 4+ years of litigation/litigation management experience—combination of both law firm and in-house corporate litigation experience a plus.

Litigation experience should include at a minimum product liability, personal injury, employment and commercial contract disputes.

Admitted to at least one state bar (and qualified for NJ limited bar license if plenary license is in another state).

Skills and Competencies

Thorough knowledge of civil procedure, legal research, discovery (including electronic discovery), investigations, pleadings, alternative dispute resolution, and trial and appellate practice.

Excellent and creative analytical and advocacy skills, and superb oral and written communication skills.

Effective counselling skills, with experience advising clients in all stages of civil litigation, including strategy for pre-litigation dispute resolution and risk mitigation, discovery, motion practice, mediation, arbitration, and trials.

Familiarity with insurance issues related to litigation, and experience dealing with insurance carriers.

Ability to balance necessary defense efforts with legal cost considerations and business needs. Client Focused.

Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work as a member of the team, able to engage effectively and collaboratively with litigation group members, all law department personnel, all levels of management and employees across the organization, and outside counsel and law firm personnel.

Strong work ethic and sense of professionalism and discretion, demonstrating accountability, integrity, good judgment, and respect for confidentiality. Self-motivated, highly organized, detail-oriented, efficient and resourceful.

Ability to prioritize and manage substantial workload, multiple case and client demands, and shifting priorities within a fast- paced, dynamic environment under tight deadlines, and to embrace changing needs and requirements.

Good technical skills, including the ability to learn new software and applications—e.g., e-billing, e-discovery, and matter management software as well as MS Office Suite (including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint).

Occasional travel may be required.