Associate Litigation Counsel

This role is part of an in-house litigation team that provides support to all of Stryker’s divisions and functions. Associate Litigation Counsel will focus on providing in-house defense of product liability claims and lawsuits in the United States relating to the entirety of Stryker’s portfolio of products and services. The Associate Litigation Counsel will defend and manage claims independently as well as through the management of external counsel. Associate Legal Counsel will have responsibility for providing proactive advice regarding litigation matters and risk mitigation to the Stryker businesses. Applicants must be able to demonstrate an ability to gain a proficient level of understanding of Stryker’s business and its various functions.

This position can be based out of a remote office in the US.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Engaging in all aspects of product liability pre-litigation claims and lawsuits, including intake, claim analysis, communication with legal and business colleagues and clients, development and implementation of strategy, management of outside counsel, negotiations, and finalization and closure of matters.
• Providing results driven legal advice in a fast-moving business environment while coordinating and collaborating with other in-house counsel.
• Providing timely advice and counsel to business clients regarding significant litigation and other matters that mitigate risk.
• Communicating (verbal and written) with all areas of the organization including Company leadership and other functions (regulatory, finance, human resources, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, R&D, sales, and marketing, among others), and divisions.
• Collaborating and communicating with colleagues, management, and outside counsel, as well as external groups including patients, opposing counsel, customers, and health care professionals.
• Supporting Senior Litigation Counsel in implementing strong defense to product liability matters, as well as the broad range of complex issues and challenges associated with defending a large company.
• Working both independently as well as part of a team overseeing and executing on multiple projects and assigned cases and claims simultaneously.
• Providing strong organizational and coordination skills to numerous projects and conflicting demands in a fast-paced environment.
• This role involves the potential for significant travel.

What you need

Basic Qualifications:

• Juris doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school
• Admitted to practice law and in good standing with the bar of at least one U.S. State or the District of Columbia
• Minimum 3 years of relevant legal experience gained by working in an in-house setting, a law firm, or both

Preferred Qualifications:

• Litigation experience relating to product liability defense, medical device, pharmaceutical, and life sciences strongly preferred
• Demonstrates strong judgment, professional demeanor and business acumen
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with colleagues in a global organization, with ability to quickly gain trust and confidence of colleagues, stakeholders, and management
• Embraces and supports change in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work well independently and in a team
• Possesses excellent judgment and strong analytical skills
• Experience providing timely and strategic legal advice
• Demonstrates a commitment to integrity and accountability
• Possesses strong communication skills and ability to convey complex legal principles clearly and concisely
• Possesses strong organizational skills and can manage numerous projects and conflicting demands in a fast-paced environment
• Possesses excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels of corporate organization
• Demonstrates an ability to efficiently and effectively work with outside counsel
• Maintains confidential and other sensitive proprietary information
• Demonstrates proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and ability to learn Stryker-specific systems

Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Generally involves sitting most of the time
• Must be able to operate common office equipment (e.g. computer, printer, copy machine, calculator, telephone, etc.)
• Must be able to review printed and handwritten materials
• Must be able to communicate telephonically and with large groups of people
• Must be able to travel domestically or internationally