Lead Counsel, Product Claims

Job ID: 70784
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Category: Office of General Counsel

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At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move.

Job Type: Full time
Work Type: Hybrid

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As a global leader in advanced mobility solutions, our outstanding team of legal professionals helps us navigate the continually changing legal and regulatory landscape. In our Office of General Counsel, you’ll be part of an organization that collaborates with outside counsel to operate as a global team and deliver world-class legal, tax and audit services to client groups throughout the company.

In this position…

Ford Motor Company’s Office of the General Counsel is seeking an outstanding attorney to join our Product Claims Team in the Controversies Practice Group. A successful candidate for this position will demonstrate strong litigation capability, persuasive written and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams of business clients, internal legal colleagues, and outside counsel to effectively and strategically manage complex litigation matters.

Client counseling is also an essential part of this position. A successful candidate will demonstrate both business acumen and sound legal judgment to support and counsel Ford’s customer experience and field service organizations, and other business teams. The ability to align goals of the business and legal department, while managing tactical and day-to-day requirements in time-sensitive situations and challenging environments is key, as well as the ability to provide legal advice and training to company leaders in a business-friendly manner.

To keep pace with the changing industry and legal landscape, we are also seeking a candidate that can identify and execute creative strategies to do our work more efficiently and effectively. This will include helping to design and implement new technology solutions and AI tools to our practice.

What you’ll do…

You will provide strategic oversight of a portfolio of pre-suit customer-direct and subrogation product liability matters nationwide, which will include: evaluating and assessing subrogation claims; retaining and managing outside counsel (when necessary); driving the assessment of litigation risk; optimizing Ford’s strategic and defensive posture in anticipation of litigation; leading settlement negotiations; implementing new technology solutions and workflow automations to efficiently manage matters and reduce costs; and providing support, counseling, and training to business teams on legal risks, lessons learned, and risk mitigation strategies. Additionally, you will direct a team of analysts responsible for investigating and resolving pre-suit, consumer direct product liability claims.

You will also regularly collaborate with other legal teams, including product litigation, class actions, consumer finance, regulatory, and more. Additionally, you will serve as a strategic legal partner to Ford and Ford Pro’s customer service and experience operations to guide early dispute resolution and mitigate litigation risk. In addition, you will support the regulatory team in monitoring trends; and assist with internal and third-party-driven investigations.

You'll have...

Juris Doctorate from an 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)
A minimum of 4-8 years of experience practicing as a litigation attorney in a law firm, corporation, or government agency
Strong litigation background
Excellent analytical, critical, and strategic thinking skills
Exceptional written and oral communication skills
Skilled and confident in negotiation
Proficient in applying AI tools to daily work
An interest in optimizing and automating legal operations by analyzing data and leveraging legal technology
A continuous improvement mindset
Ability to work with a diverse team
Experience managing a team

Even better, you may have…

Experience with the automotive industry or other consumer manufacturing
Product liability and insurance subrogation experience
Live in or willing to relocate to the Detroit area, but remote candidates are welcome to apply

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is leadership level 5 and ranges in Dearborn from $141,700-$268,300.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.

Internal applicants: moving into this role may result in an adjustment to your current compensation based on the posted pay range for this role, taking into consideration your qualifications and other relevant factors.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL5

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid or remote. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-Remote

#LI-DA1

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Change the world with your ideas.

Speak up. We’re listening. At Ford, we believe the right ideas, and the people behind them, can move an entire industry. Here, you'll work with teams who value your voice, push bold ideas forward, and leave a mark that lasts.

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Support designed to go the distance.

From day one, Ford invests in you with medical benefits built to help you plan for what’s next. You’ll also get support for you and your family that meets you at every step, so you can move forward with confidence.

Health and Wellness

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and unique wellness perks keep you and your family supported every step of the way.
Financial and Retirement Programs

Build a strong financial future with robust retirement contributions, savings programs, and free personalized financial planning tools.
Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Enjoy your time away from work with generous vacation, holidays, and flexible family leave designed to help you balance life and work with ease.
Vehicle Discount Program

The best thing about building great products is driving them! The second-best thing: sharing your discount with family and friends so they can drive them, too.
Family Growth and Support

Grow your family confidently with fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance, paid parental leave, and a supportive new-parent ramp-up program.
Additional Programs

Enjoy unexpected extras like pet insurance, legal services, identity protection, and access to convenient health and wellness services.

Ford gives me the space to innovate, to lead, and to serve — all while staying true to who I am as an engineer, educator, and parent. It’s not just a career; it’s a community that drives change.

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Lead Counsel, Product Claims

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Looking for jobs tailored to you?

Change the world with your ideas.

Support designed to go the distance.

Health and Wellness

Financial and Retirement Programs

Flexible Vacation and Holidays

Vehicle Discount Program

Family Growth and Support

Additional Programs

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