Legal Counsel, Litigation

Role Specific Information

Job Description

About the Role

In this role, you will manage general liability defense matters for Kohl’s, handling a wide range of litigation and pre-litigation issues, with a primary focus on premises liability, personal injury and related general liability claims. You will work closely with internal business partners, outside counsel, and insurers to develop effective defense strategies that minimize legal exposure and protect Kohl’s interests. 

What You’ll Do

• Manage and oversee general liability claims and litigation, including premises liability, customer incidents, product liability and related tort matters

• Partner with outside counsel on strategy, case assessment, discovery, depositions, mediation and trial preparation

• Evaluate and respond to pre-litigation demands, settlement negotiations and claims investigations

• Evaluate cases to ensure proper allocation of expense and liability reserves, supporting accurate financial forecasting

• Advise internal stakeholders on liability trends, risk mitigation and claim prevention

• Develop cost-effective litigation strategies while balancing business and reputational considerations

• Review and analyze insurance coverage, coordinate with insurers and ensure compliance with notice and reporting obligations

• Draft, review and revise pleadings, motions, discovery responses and settlement agreements as necessary

• Track and report on litigation trends, outcomes and exposure to senior leadership

• Assist in training store and field employees on liability avoidance and claims handling best practices

• Additional tasks may be assigned

What Skills You Have

Required

• 4-7 years of experience in private practice and/or corporate legal department, with a focus on litigation and general liability

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school

• Member of the state bar or licensed by the state bar

Preferred

• Prior in-house experience

• Experience handling general liability cases within the retail, merchandising or consumer-facing industry

• Familiarity with related areas of law, including employment, premises liability and product liability

• Broad-based knowledge on various legal issues

Essential Functions

The requirements listed below are representative of functions you will be required to perform, however you may be required to perform additional functions. Kohl’s may revise this job description from time to time. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, absent undue hardship.

• Ability to perform the accountabilities listed in the “What You’ll Do” Section

• Ability to maintain prompt and regular attendance as set by the company 

• Ability to work at least 8 hours per day, occasionally longer when necessary to meet business needs, 5 days per week

• Ability to comply with dress code requirements

• Ability to learn and comply with all company policies, procedures, standards and guidelines

• Ability to give direction and receive, understand and proactively respond to direction from leadership and other company personnel

• Ability to work as part of a team and interact effectively and appropriately with others

• Ability to maintain composure and work in a fast paced environment while accomplishing multiple tasks within established timeframes

• Ability to satisfactorily complete company training programs

• Perform work in accordance with the Physical/Cognitive Requirements section

Physical/Cognitive Requirements 

• Ability to use a personal computer for tasks such as communicating, preparing reports, etc.

• Ability to plan, prioritize and monitor activities across business units

• Ability to complete or oversee the completion of assigned projects in a timely manner

• Ability to comply with health and safety standards