Head of In-House Litigation Team

(EXCLUSIVE) HEAD OF IN-HOUSE LITIGATION TEAM FOR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURER (Fully Remote or Hybrid Atlanta) - Our client is seeking a senior legal leader to oversee the performance and growth of its in-house defense law function while ensuring full alignment across all external counsel partners. This role is responsible for building a unified, high-performing defense system where internal attorneys and outside counsel operate under shared expectations, standards, and operating rhythms.

This is both a leadership and integration role—focused on strengthening in-house capabilities, driving consistency in litigation strategy execution, and ensuring external law firms deliver cost-effective, high-quality outcomes aligned with enterprise objectives. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in litigation leadership, legal operations, and counsel management, with the ability to drive accountability across a distributed legal ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop litigation service delivery, ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes and a strong policyholder experience

• Own growth strategy, including staffing models, jurisdictional expansion, and readiness for complex matters

• Establish and maintain operating standards, workflows, and playbooks for litigated cases

• Oversee performance of internal legal teams, including outcomes, efficiency, and file quality

• Define and manage external counsel strategy, including selection, onboarding, and performance expectations

• Ensure external firms operate in alignment with internal standards, strategy, and operating cadence

• Drive execution discipline through governance routines, reporting, and trial readiness practices

• Oversee legal spend management, including billing practices, rate strategy, and alternative fee arrangements

• Lead vendor and expert strategy to ensure cost efficiency and consistency across matters

• Use performance data and insights to drive continuous improvement and accountability across all counsel

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) required; active bar membership preferred

• 15 years of experience in litigation, insurance defense, and/or legal operations environments

• Proven experience leading in-house legal teams and managing external counsel relationships

• Strong background in litigation strategy execution and legal operations management

• Demonstrated ability to design and scale legal operating models

• Experience driving consistency and accountability across distributed legal teams

• Strong financial acumen with experience managing legal spend, billing, and vendor relationships

• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a legal operations or litigation executive who excels at building aligned systems, driving performance across both internal and external teams, and ensuring consistent, cost-effective defense outcomes at scale.

The role can be fully remote or follow a hybrid schedule for candidates based in Atlanta. A competitive compensation package is offered, including base salary, annual bonus, and long-term incentive opportunities.

For consideration, please submit your resume to jobs@partners-group.com.