Vice President & Corporate Counsel, Dispute Resolution

Bethesda, MD, United States

Marriott International, Inc. is the world's largest hotel company and is based in Bethesda, Maryland. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts and branded residential properties. Marriott’s Law Department supports the Company’s lodging and hospitality business and provides legal advice and counsel to Marriott’s internal clients. The Dispute Resolution practice group oversees the majority of Marriott’s litigation matters, except for labor and employment matters, tax litigation, and personal injury/insured claims. The group’s docket includes a wide variety of matters including contractual disputes, international arbitrations, consumer class actions, IP litigation, antitrust matters, ADA claims, tort claims, government investigations, and other matters.

The Vice President & Corporate Counsel for Dispute Resolution is responsible for managing litigation and conflict resolution strategy in court, arbitration proceedings and non-judicial forums, as well as assessing litigation risk situations in collaboration with other practice groups in the Law Department. The attorney in this position provides legal assistance and advice to business colleagues within Marriott and partners with outside counsel, vendors, and consultants. The attorney is also responsible for managing the litigation tenders for both Managed and Franchise properties. Together with the SVP and Associate General Counsel, this attorney will manage litigation matters, disputes, and risk mitigation strategies.

The VP & Corporate Counsel position is located in Bethesda and reports directly to the SVP & Associate General Counsel – Dispute Resolution.

Expected Contributions

The primary responsibilities of the VP & Corporate Counsel include providing legal assistance and support as outlined below:

Dispute Resolution Matters:

Managing litigation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution matters in the United States and abroad;

Investigating and evaluating factual circumstances in disputes, engaging in early case assessment, and achieving resolution of disputes prior to litigation when appropriate;

Providing litigation risk assessments, including advising clients on estimated costs of litigation, possibilities of success, scope and nature of risks, valuation of various potential outcomes, and alternative solutions available, including settlement options;

Providing business clients with guidance regarding litigation and other disputes;

Developing and managing case budgets;

Supporting all aspects of company policies and practices as they relate to litigation, arbitration, electronic discovery, document review, production, and retention;

Managing outside counsel, vendors, experts, and consultants to support litigation matters; and

Overseeing and participating with outside counsel in all aspects of pre-litigation and litigation, including developing strategy, drafting and editing pleadings, briefs, and memos, engaging in discovery and factual investigation, coordinating settlement negotiations, and supporting depositions, hearings, and trials.

Managed Hotel and Franchise Hotel Litigation Tenders:

Overseeing litigation tendered to managed and franchised properties, and advising the franchise transaction team with pre-litigation matters in connection with franchised properties;

Working with various Marriott business partners to collect and review documents related to litigation; reviewing and drafting correspondence, affidavits, and certifications; interviewing witnesses for deposition subpoenas; preparing discovery responses;

Coordinating with insurance carriers and insurance defense counsel;

Preparing correspondence to franchisees and owners of managed properties and their respective insurance carriers and assigned insurance defense counsel;

Conducting risk analysis and assessing potential liability to the company in connection with franchise and managed out litigation matters; and

Providing oversight and guidance to a dedicated paralegal for franchise and managed out litigation matters.

Other Responsibilities:

Managing outside counsel relationships, including budgeting, staffing, case management, and conflict waiver requests;

Traveling, as appropriate, domestically and internationally, to attend relevant court hearings, trials, arbitration proceedings, and depositions; and

Performing other duties as appropriate.

Candidate Profile

Successful candidates should possess knowledge and experience and demonstrate strong leadership and relationship skills as follows:

Excellent academic records in college and law school, with a J.D. from a well-respected law school;

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a law firm or corporate law department of national reputation, with a focus on complex commercial litigation; experience with the hospitality industry and international arbitration is a plus, but not required;

Business-oriented approach to practicing law;

Proven project management experience leading teams, strong problem-solving and organizational skills;

Experience with electronic discovery, including litigation holds, record management, and document preservation;

Ability to work with poise under pressure;

Outstanding analytical, writing, and oral presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex legal issues into concise guidance for business partners;

Intellectual curiosity about the law and Marriott’s business;

Ability to work independently, take ownership of, and effectively resolve problems;

Team player with strong interpersonal skills who can work diplomatically and foster relationships with individuals at all levels;

Admission to the bar of any state; and

Flexibility for travel domestically and abroad.

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

#J-18808-Ljbffr