Vice President of Legal, Litigation

What you will do

Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) seek an experienced attorney to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for litigation and claims primarily arising from the companies’ operations and products. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, this role provides strategic legal counsel driving risk-mitigation strategies, directs dispute resolution, manages internal and outside counsel, and defends and advances Mack’s and VTNA’s legal interests while supporting their business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide advice and counsel to the companies’ executive management, business partners, and insurers in connection with litigation, legal risks, laws, and regulations.
• Formulate and execute the companies’ legal strategy relating to product liability, asbestos liability, breach of warranty, supplier warranty recovery, complex commercial litigation, class-action litigation, and other business interests.
• Lead and supervise a team of legal, paralegal and engineering professionals responsible for defending Mack Trucks and VTNA in litigation, specifically including product liability, asbestos liability, and warranty litigation.
• Lead the response to subpoenas, government investigations, and regulatory inquiries across applicable jurisdictions.
• Direct e-discovery processes, litigation holds, and internal investigations.
• Minimize product related and other legal claims against the companies through full compliance, timely reporting, and complete and accurate record keeping.
• Select and manage outside counsel, experts, and vendors to achieve strong outcomes with disciplined cost control.
• Partner with and train engineering, manufacturing, product safety, sales, marketing, and compliance teams to avoid claims and support sound business decisions.
• Draft and/or revise indemnity agreements and related contract documents.
• Manage the legal litigation budget, accurately forecast reserves, and track department metrics and spend.
• Participate in industry and/or commercial legal organizations, on behalf of Mack and VTNA.
• Foster an environment where everyone in the Mack and VTNA Legal function recognizes his or her responsibilities and contributes to the overall business and strategic goals of Mack and VTNA.
• Promote the development of, and participate in, a committed department that works together to achieve excellence.

Who are you?

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active license to practice law in at least one
• U.S. state. At least 10 years of relevant legal experience, with substantial experience litigating civil and product liability matters in private practice at a law firm, ideally supplemented by relevant in-house experience.
• Experience in the transportation, automotive, or heavy-truck industry is preferred. Demonstrated success managing professionals, complex matters, outside counsel, and legal spend is required.

To be the perfect match for this role, your preferred skills and competencies include:

• Exceptional litigation, arbitration, and negotiation skills, particularly with respect to product liability and warranty cases
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• The ability to work with, and manage, other professional staff
• The capability to balance aggressive legal protection with commercial business objectives
• Excellent judgment
• Organization and planning
• Strong financial acumen for budget management and reserve forecasting
• Self-sufficiency

Location: The position is office-based in Greensboro, North Carolina (not a remote position), with occasional domestic and international travel.

Ready for the next move?