Crisis and Emergency Response Attorney

Wilson Elser is a leading defense litigation law firm with more than 1300 attorneys in 43 offices throughout the United States. Founded in 1978, we rank among the top 100 law firms identified by The American Lawyer and 36 in the National Law Journal’s survey of the nation’s largest law firms. We’re also Mansfield Certified Plus.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Crisis and Emergency Response Attorney position in our Washington, D.C. Office.

This position offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement.

The Position

We are seeking an experienced attorney to join our Crisis Response & Management team, representing a large logistics services provider, facing high-stakes liability matters involving catastrophic incidents, fatalities, transportation accidents, and significant reputational exposure. This role requires a lawyer who is comfortable operating in fast-moving, high-pressure environments and who can partner closely with clients, insurers, and multidisciplinary response teams from the earliest stages of an incident through litigation.

The ideal candidate brings strong investigative instincts, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to develop proactive legal strategies in matters involving substantial legal, financial, and reputational risk.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide rapid, on-site and remote legal response following catastrophic incidents, fatalities, violent acts, or other high-exposure events

• Conduct and oversee early-stage investigations, including fact development, witness coordination, evidence preservation, and engagement of third-party experts

• Develop and execute proactive legal strategies designed to mitigate liability, and minimize business disruption

• Collaborate with internal attorneys across offices and practice areas to deliver coordinated, firmwide client service

• Work closely with external professionals such as investigators, accident reconstructionist, forensic experts, and engineers

• Advise insurance carriers, self-insured clients, and corporate stakeholders on risk management and claim strategy

• Participate in a rotating on-call structure supporting Wilson Elser’s 24/7 emergency response system, including client access through a dedicated answering service and on-alert deployment

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school

• Admission to practice in the state you reside in

• 7+ years of relevant legal experience, preferably including litigation, investigations, transportation incident, catastrophic loss and other high-exposure matters

• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters involving fatalities, violent acts, or significant public scrutiny

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams

• Willingness and ability to respond quickly to urgent matters, including occasional travel and on-site response

Why Should You Apply?

• Flexibility: Hybrid work arrangements to support work-life blend

• Benefits: Outstanding benefits package, including 401k match and generous PTO plan

• Career Growth: Ample opportunities for professional development and advancement

• Employee Perks: Access to corporate discount plans and other benefits

Wilson Elser welcomes submissions of candidates for our open positions exclusively from recruitment agencies with an active, signed fee agreement who have been granted access to a position through our dedicated Recruitment Agency Portal. We are unable to consider submissions from recruitment agencies without a current (dated as of 7/1/2024) agreement in place. We appreciate your understanding. For collaboration inquiries or to establish an agreement, please contact us at [email protected].

Wilson Elser is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. It is the Firm's policy that employment will be based on merit, qualifications, and competence. Further, employment decisions will be made without regard to an applicants race, color, age, sex, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking, past or present service in the uniformed services or application or obligation to serve in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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