Litigation Counsel - Product Liability

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Date: Apr 11, 2024

Location: Irvine, California, US

Company: Kia America, Inc.

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and time off starting at 14 days per year. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

Summary

Primarily responsible for providing in-house legal advice and services relating to product liability and warranty law (lemon law).  This includes early warning issues, product liability claims and class actions, and subrogation claims.  Also responsible for supervising litigation attorneys and paralegals in providing in-house legal services on warranty laws (lemon law claims, lawsuits, subrogation matters) and related consumer affairs and customer service issues and handling these issues directly. This role is also responsible for coordinating with legal department management, regulatory compliance group, outside legal counsel, and Kia America’s parent company to manage the foregoing matters.  Ability to adjust to changing circumstances and willingness to cross-train into other practice areas within the Legal Department preferred.

Major Responsibilities

  • 1st Priority - 60%   

    Manage and provide legal advice and legal services relating to product liability (including but not limited to early warning matters, product liability claims and lawsuits, class actions, and subrogation matters)

     

    2nd Priority - 25%

    Manage and provide legal advice and legal services relating to government/regulatory litigation, patent litigation, warranty (lemon law) and other types of litigation, as needed                   

     

    3rd Priority - 10%

    Provide reporting to the legal dept. and executives.

     

    4th Priority - 5%

    Other projects within the legal department as needed.

 

Education/Certification

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • California State Bar Admission

Overall Experience

  • 10-12 years top tier law firm and/or in-house experience

  • Technical or engineering background and training helpful

  • Product liability, warranty, and/or automotive experience helpful

Directly Related Experience

N/A

Skills

Ability to create timely and insightful executive reports and analysis
Ability to quickly adapt to various systems and processes
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite – Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint
Requires prior demonstrated managerial, organizational and interpersonal communications (verbal and written) skills.

Competencies

Care for People
Chase Excellence, Every Day
Dare to Push Boundaries
Empower People to Act
Move Further, Together

Pay Range

$171,402.00 -  $248,497.92

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

 

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices.  The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

 

Disclaimer:  The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


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