The Role

Tesla is looking for an experienced litigation
attorney to join the product liability team within our fast-paced Legal
Department. The Senior or Corporate Counsel will represent and defend Tesla in
all aspects of product liability-related litigation matters, generally focused
on our vehicle products. This position will be located in Austin.

Specific responsibilities will include: 

• Represent
  and defend Tesla in all aspects of product liability-related litigation
  matters.
• Engage
  in factual investigation, analyze complex legal and factual issues,
  conduct extensive legal research, independently develop, recommend and
  present defense strategies within the legal team and to the business.
• Respond
  to complaints and other pleadings, respond to discovery requests, conduct interviews and document collection, and review and prepare responses to
  motions to compel and for protective orders, and represent Tesla at
  hearings, mediations, trials and arbitrations.
• Prepare
  witnesses for deposition and trial.

• Negotiate
  for the dismissal or resolution of cases at all stages in the litigation
  process.

• Analyze
  vehicle data, work with engineering to understand the same, and respond to
  attorney demand letters with a summary of same in effort to avoid
  litigation.
• Maintain
  knowledge of current and emerging laws, regulations and trends related to vehicle
  regulations and product liability.
• Work
  closely with regulatory counsel on investigations with an eye towards
  potential for litigation.
• Work
  with engineering teams to identify areas of improvement, and provide
  counsel on vague and challenging questions that balance risk and product
  development.
• Lead
  in management of outside counsel handling litigation.

Requirements:

• JD
  Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Member
  of a state bar.
• 6-10
  years of experience actively litigating personal injury/product liability matters.
  including initial case assessment, strategy development, responding to
  discovery, drafting motions, mediation, arbitration, and court trials.
• Experience
  in preparing company witnesses for depositions or other hearings.
• Ability
  to exercise business and legal judgment with strong problem-solving,
  research, and project management skills and ability to work closely with
  business (engineers and other non-lawyers).
• Clear
  and concise communication style, both in writing and verbally.
• Track
  record of working efficiently with a client-service focus in a fast-paced,
  dynamic environment.
• Willingness
  to travel to depositions, trials or other key litigation events.
• Pleasant
  attitude, sense of humor, ability to work well with others including
  non-lawyers, ability to prioritize your work to meet deadlines and get
  work done with minimal supervision.

Preferences:

• Litigation
  experience in product liability, specifically relating to the
  automotive/transportation sector, i.e., automobile accidents and crashes.
• Experience
  working for an automaker, auto supplier, or law firm supporting same.
• Preferably,
  having an engineering or technical background, and/or significant
  transportation or vehicle experience.
• First
  or second chair trial experience in catastrophic injury/wrongful death
  litigation.
• Aptitude
  for and interest in vehicle technology.
• Experience
  in e-discovery (Relativity).
• Responsibility
  for setting budgets and/or approving them, as well as responsibility for
  law firm billing and/or reviewing law firm billing.
• A
  quick and flexible learner: intellectually curious, open-minded,
  adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited
  by dynamic change.

• Adept
  at and comfortable making complex cost/benefit assessments.
• Inspire
  trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence
  and cooperation of your business partners.