Assistant Counsel, Litigation

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

In collaboration with senior attorneys, the Assistant Counsel-Litigation Services serves as in-house legal counsel responsible for investigating, managing, evaluating, and resolving medical liability and other litigation including, but not limited to, general liability, cyber liability, corporate litigation, cy pres actions, third party subpoenas, and investigations with extensive document productions. This role provides legal counsel to clinical, administrative, and executive leaders; supervises litigation, outside counsel and other litigation staff; and ensures compliance with captive claims management best practices. The attorney plays a critical role in safeguarding the organization's legal interests, minimizing financial risk, and advancing effective litigation strategy.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• Litigation & Claims Management
  • Serve as in-house counsel for medical liability and other litigation including, but not limited to, general liability, cyber liability, corporate litigation, cy pres actions, third party subpoenas, and investigations with extensive document productions.
  • Provide and assist senior attorneys to provide legal advice on all litigation related issues.
  • Oversee and direct the full lifecycle of claims: insurance reporting, investigation, case evaluation, litigation strategy, recovery and offsets, negotiation, mediation, and trial oversight.
  • Issue and manage legal holds.
  • Direct and manage outside defense counsel, ensuring cost effective and high-quality representation.
  • Assess liability exposure and damages; provide legal analysis and recommendation to organization?s stakeholders and executives.
  • Establish and maintain reserves within required best practices.
  • Obtain settlement authority as required.
  • Draft and/or review legal documents, settlement agreements, indemnification clauses, and risk related contract terms
  • Supervise litigation personnel including claim specialists and administrative staff.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal compliance/reporting requirements, including NPDB and CMS reporting.
  • Identify and escalate legal and defensibility risks to Risk Management, clinical leaders, and other stakeholders to reduce exposure to future claims.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, department chairs, physicians, and operational leaders in all assigned litigation matters.
• Operational Responsibilities
  • Collaborate and facilitate litigation and captive audits.
  • Collaborate and facilitate enhancements in litigation workflow, processes, and procedures.
  • Collaborate and facilitate projects within established timelines, minimal oversight, and provide timely updates senior attorneys on issues affecting deliverables.
  • Maintain subject matter expertise in assigned areas and deliver appropriate training for the litigation team.
  • Participate in captive program initiatives and projects.
  • Prepare reports, presentations, and analytics regarding trends in claims, litigation outcomes, and financial exposure.
  • Captive insurance administration duties as assigned.
• Other projects and legal work as assigned.

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of five years of experience in handling general and medical liability defense matters is preferred. Prior experience in a hospital, health system, medical liability insurer, or medical liability defense firm strongly preferred.

LICENSURE

Active license in good standing with the Connecticut state bar (or eligible for in-house counsel status). Licensure in New York and/or Rhode Island is a plus but not required.

SPECIAL SKILLS

• Strong understanding of healthcare tort litigation, medical standards of care, and healthcare operations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex medical and legal issues.
• Ability to collaborate with clinicians and communicate legal and medical concepts effectively to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation abilities.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, listening, and collaborative skills to serve as a trusted partner with department leaders and key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop strategy and manage complex matters with competing priorities.
• High emotional intelligence and capacity to manage sensitive, confidential issues in high-pressure situations.
• Strong issue-spotting skills and sound judgement regarding escalation.