Senior Assistant Counsel, Litigation

Overview

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.

The Senior Assistant Counsel-Litigation Services serves as in‑house legal counsel responsible for investigating, managing, evaluating, and resolving complex, high‑exposure 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 and Claims Management Responsibilities
  • Serve as in‑house counsel for high‑exposure medical liability and catastrophic injury 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.
  • 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, including preparing and delivering presentations to organization's claims committee.
  • Draft and/or review legal documents, settlement agreements, indemnification clauses, and risk related contract terms.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal compliance/reporting requirements, including NPDB and CMS reporting.
  • Identify and elevate 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
  • Provide oversight and accountability for at least one operational or administrative function.
  • Lead and prepare the team for litigation and captive audits; serve as the primary point of contact for auditors.
  • Act as catalyst for continuous improvement by enhancing litigation workflow, processes, and procedures.
  • Lead and manage significant projects within established timelines, minimal oversight, and provide timely updates to stakeholders 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.
• Supervise litigation personnel including junior attorneys, claim specialists, and administrative staff.
• Other projects and legal work as assigned.

• Education
  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Experience
  • Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in handling high‑exposure medical liability and catastrophic injury defense matters. 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
  • Deep understanding of healthcare tort litigation,…