Product Litigation Counsel

Dearborn, MI

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. Ford is continuing to transform its global automotive business, accelerating the development and scaling of breakthrough electric, connected vehicles, while using our iconic nameplates to strengthen operating performance and take full advantage of engineering and industrial capabilities. Ford is undergoing its biggest opportunity for growth and value creation since Henry Ford scaled production of the Model T.

With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career potential as you help us define tomorrow’s transportation.

Ford Motor Company’s Office of the General Counsel is seeking an outstanding lawyer to join our world class Litigation & Regulatory Practice Group in the Product Litigation team. The Product Litigation Counsel will be responsible for handling complex legal matters and projects including advisement, direction, and training to outside counsel and in-house business partners. You will have an opportunity for enterprise-wide exposure to our ground-breaking products and work closely with our innovative product creators.

Responsibilities:

A successful candidate for the Product Litigation position will demonstrate strong litigation capability, persuasive written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively across teams of business clients, internal legal colleagues, and outside counsel to strategically manage complex litigation. Further, the candidate must demonstrate strategic capability and an ability to align long term goals of the business and legal office while managing tactical day-to-day requirements in time-sensitive situations and fast-paced environments.

Provide strategic oversight of a portfolio of complex Product litigation matters, including:

Retain and manage outside counsel; help drive innovative cost management initiatives
Lead development of legal defenses
Drive assessment of risk, case strategies, and trial readiness
Lead settlement negotiations and participate in mediations when required in various states
Support regulatory team in monitoring trends
Work with OGC colleagues to counsel business partners with respect to lessons learned
Support legal and litigation reforms as needed
Implement AI and other technology solutions
Counsel and advise global business leaders as to litigation risk and risk mitigation strategies

Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school
Membership in good standing of the Michigan Bar (or member in good standing of another state bar and eligible for RIHC status in Michigan)
10-15 years defense-based litigation experience in a law firm or corporation setting
5+ years product litigation experience, automotive industry experience preferred
Exhibits strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information in simple ways
Ability to work seamlessly across functions, leading cross-functional teams and leveraging agile team construct
Understanding and appreciation for business, and ability to apply systems thinking to identify, develop and execute solutions to support business performance

What We Can Offer

As part of the Ford family, you’ll enjoy excellent compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation, and much more. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Ford Motor Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status.

At Ford, the health and safety of our employees is our top priority. Vaccination has been proven to play a critical role in combatting COVID-19. As a result, Ford has made the decision to require U.S. salaried employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless employees require an accommodation for religious or medical reasons. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exemption.