Senior Director, Associate Staff Counsel at GEICO in Bethesda

Senior Director, Associate Staff Counsel

Location: Bethesda, MD

Why Join GEICO?

At GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.

Every day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.

Founded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.

The Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) is a private American auto insurance company with headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland. GEICO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and is the third largest auto insurer in the United States. In 2024, GEICO reported a record pretax underwriting profit of $7.8 billion against $43 billion in revenue.

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Director to lead and inspire our Staff Counsel teams. This role demands a seasoned legal executive with a strong track record of managing large, diverse legal teams and balancing multiple high priority responsibilities simultaneously. The ideal candidate will combine deep legal expertise, strategic leadership, and exceptional management capabilities to drive operational excellence. A successful candidate will also cultivate a high performing, positive, and proactive team culture that promotes growth and accountability.

Location: This is a remote position, with the expectation to go into the office on an as needed basis.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy:

•Lead, manage, and develop Staff Counsel offices, ensuring high performance, clear accountability and strong alignment with GEICO’s mission and values.

• Develop and implement litigation strategies aligned with departmental goals and objectives.

• Provide mentorship and professional development for team members, ensuring continuous growth and success.

• Collaborate with senior leaders to shape department policy and ensure legal compliance across all areas.

Case Management:

• Oversee the efficient management of litigation cases from initiation to resolution, including trial, settlement, or appeal.

• Monitor case performance, ensuring deadlines are met and adjusting strategies to optimize outcomes.

• Demonstrate strong organization skills to balance competing demands and manage multiple legal and operational priorities simultaneously.

Budget and Resource Oversight:

• Manage office budgets, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and cost-effective litigation strategies.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Act as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders regarding litigation policies and case handling.

Legal Risk Assessment:

• Evaluate legal risks, assess exposure, and provide strategic recommendations to mitigate potential impacts.

Policy and Compliance Oversight:

• Ensure adherence to legal and internal policy standards, while staying up-to-date with evolving legislation that impacts litigation.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement best practices, tools, and technologies to enhance litigation effectiveness.

• Facilitate ongoing training and development for both management and non-management associates.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Must be actively licensed to practice law in at least one state and maintain all necessary continuing legal education (CLE) requirements.

• Minimum of twelve years of litigation experience, with a focus on insurance defense or personal injury; relevant experience in other legal fields will be considered.

• Senior-level management experience required.

• Experience managing teams of attorneys and legal support professionals in a multi-office or high-volume environment.

• Experience in commercial litigation is preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple teams, priorities, and high-stakes legal matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data analytics for strategic decision-making.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

• High ethical standards and a commitment to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

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Annual Salary

$210,000.00 - $350,000.00

The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.

At this time, GEICO will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

The GEICO Pledge:

Great Company: Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.

Great Careers: Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.

Great Culture: Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.

Great Rewards: Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.

The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.