Litigation Counsel

Role Summary: 

In the role of Litigation Counsel, you will be part of the Corporate Legal team, reporting to the Executive Vice President and General Counsel. The Litigation Counsel will set the strategy and advise Manitowoc on matters involving all forms of litigation, pre-dispute resolution and product safety matters (e.g., commercial, intellectual property, labor and employment, product liability, asbestos). This attorney will direct litigation strategy and manage litigation workflows, which will require significant interaction with external counsel and Manitowoc engineering, sales, product safety and technical staff. As Manitowoc develops new products and functionalities that raise product liability and/or safety issues, this attorney will work closely with the team to advise regarding legal and product safety requirements. The Litigation Counsel will also coordinate with the business teams and advise Manitowoc on the company’s intellectual property strategy, including patents and trademark filings. This attorney will supervise a paralegal and product safety staff. The attorney will require substantive expertise in product liability litigation combined with excellent project management skills and sound judgment in managing cases and interacting with internal business clients.

Role Responsibilities: 

• Advise Manitowoc on matters involving all forms of litigation, pre-dispute resolution and product safety matters (e.g., commercial, intellectual property, labor and employment, product liability, asbestos) and manage litigation workflows, interacting with external counsel on strategy and execution of litigation in various jurisdictions in the Americas.
• Coordinate responses to governmental investigations, proceedings and enforcement actions.
• Oversee claims resolution while liaising with outside insurance carriers.
• Review and comment on litigation documents prepared by counsel, attend hearings, mediations and trials. 
• Responsible for developing and assessing case strategies, conducting and managing interviews of fact and expert witnesses, handling discovery requests, reviewing court filings and managing external counsel.
• Review Manitowoc publications, manuals and advertising materials from a product liability and safety standpoint. 
• Coordinate and oversee technical input to product liability litigation and related research tasks.
• Provide feedback of information gained from product liability to departments responsible for design and development activities. 
• Manage litigation budgets and work to minimize outside counsel expense levels.
• Responsible to coordinate with the business teams and advise on the company’s intellectual property strategy, including patents and trademark filings.
• Provide support on regulatory matters.
• Supervise outside lawyers, product safety staff and a paralegal.
• Provide support to business groups responsible for handling customer complaints and claims.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as directed by senior management.

Position Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate from a top tier law school.
• Minimum of 7-8 years of prior litigation experience, preferably with product liability litigation and exposure across multiple areas of litigation and adversary proceedings (e.g., commercial, intellectual property, asbestos among others).
• Fully licensed to practice law in the United States and able to practice in-house in Wisconsin.
• Possess sound business and legal judgment with the ability to manage a litigation portfolio and a variety of claims and projects.
• Strong teambuilding and leadership skills with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders and guide decision making.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively at all levels within the organization.
• Exhibit initiative and credibility as a trusted advisor to the business teams.
• Manage litigation issues in a manner that protects the best interests of Manitowoc, as well as Manitowoc’s integrity, reputation and assets while ensuring Manitowoc operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Experience with intellectual property matters, including patents and trademark filings. 
• Effective supervisory management skills with the ability to oversee projects delegated to subordinates and outside counsel.
• Team and customer focused approach to work - responds promptly, solicits feedback, while seeking a path forward that balances company risk and customer needs.
• Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Effectively navigates a decentralized and complex global organization and is considerate of circumstance, culture and audience.
• Able to exercise sound business judgment on key decisions, including recognizing circumstances that require escalation.
• Maintains the highest standards of ethics and professional integrity.
• Willing to handle new areas of responsibility.
• Must be willing to travel (20% ).
• Experience in the heavy construction or manufacturing industry preferred.

What we offer you:

• Competitive total rewards package including benefits beginning on day one of employment
• Continuing education & training – tuition reimbursement and scholarship program for those who qualify
• Onsite fitness center, golf simulator, employee lounge and beautiful walking path
• Onsite café offering variety of breakfast and lunch items
• Monthly team building, engagement events and community involvement
• Work from home every Wednesday
• 11 paid holidays 3 weeks of vacation that we encourage everyone to use!
• Paid maternity (12 weeks) paternity (4 weeks) leave