Insurance Defense Associate (3-5 Years’ Experience) – Chicago, IL
Premier Midwest litigation boutique with a national insurance defense practice. We represent TPAs, and self-insured entities in high-exposure coverage, bad-faith, and liability matters. Our Chicago office seeks a mid-level associate to join our growing team.
Position Overview
- Title: Associate Attorney
- Practice Area: Insurance Coverage & Defense Litigation
- Experience Level: 3–5 years
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Billable Expectation: 1,950 hours (bonus eligible)
- Start Date: Immediate
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of 40–60 active files from inception through trial/arbitration.
- Draft and argue complex motions
- Take and defend fact/expert depositions in multi-million-dollar bodily injury, construction defect, and extra-contractual claims.
- Provide day-to-day coverage opinions under CGL, professional liability, D&O, and surplus lines policies.
- Supervise junior associates and paralegals on discovery and trial prep.
- Participate in mock trials, mediations, and client underwriting presentations.
Qualifications
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active Illinois bar admission (Wisconsin or Indiana a plus).
- 3–5 years of insurance defense experience at a peer firm or in-house counsel for a carrier.
- Proven track record of first-chair depositions and court appearances.
- Strong academic and writing credentials (published notes or moot court a plus).
- Ability to distill dense coverage issues into concise, client-ready opinions.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $140,000 – $175,000 (commensurate with big-law class year & portable book).
- Bonus: Discretionary year-end + hours-based tier (up to $25k).
- Benefits: 100% premium coverage (medical/dental/vision); 401(k) with 5% match; bar dues; CLE; wellness stipend; paid parental leave; on-site gym; CTA Ventra reimbursement.
- Partnership Track: 7–8 years; non-competitive, merit-based.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.
GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.
