Litigation Specialist

JOB OBJECTIVE:

The Senior Litigation Specialist serves Litigation Services, the Claim organization and Encova through efficient and effective handling of litigated claims throughout the country. The Senior Litigation Specialist will demonstrate exceptional skill, ability, and judgment in the independent handling of litigated claims at all levels of complexity and exposure , in any field of law, and possess qualities of leadership, innovation, and collaboration that will lead defense counsel in an integrated effort to deliver superior service to policyholders. Litigation Services is committed to earning the loyalty and satisfaction of its key stakeholders through a culture of superior customer service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Direct, control and resolve primarily complex commercial lawsuits against policyholders and the company.
• Analyze, evaluate, and negotiate lawsuit claims against policyholders and supervise outside counsel in negotiation and resolution, where necessary.
• Monitor and control legal fees and loss adjustment expenses; supervise payment of same.
• Prepare necessary reports including Legal Claim Evaluation, Large Loss, , and other reports as needed.
• Provide management with feedback regarding suit files to further improve claims handling.
• Generate case evaluations and participate in round table reviews regarding coverage, liability, and damages with specific attention to legal implications, financial implications, and relevant case law.
• Attend pretrials, mediations, arbitrations, and settlement conferences, as needed, to effectively manage and settle claims.
• Attend trials involving policyholders as the company's representative, when necessary.
• Pursue appropriate continuing education to remain knowledgeable of changes and trends in insurance and tort law.
• Commit to personal growth through education, company and community engagement.
• Advise of and propose modifications to current policies and procedures based upon changes in the legal environment to the AVP Litigation Services.
• Engage in the relationship management culture of the company and litigation services department with specific attention to a selection of core outside defense firms as a relationship team member.
• Continuously monitor, evaluate and manage the performance of outside defense counsel, to promote continuous improvement and deliver desired outcomes to all key stakeholders. Provide feedback on performance and maintain business relationships with firm, act as intermediary as necessary.
• Support every associate and department in the company as needed or requested.
• Perform legal research, where needed, in support of case defense as well as Claims and other business units.
• Actively serve as a member of claims and other organizational integrated teams as assigned; lead those teams as requested. Actively participate in project work, providing the perspective of Claims and Litigation Services.
• Provide exemplary customer service and resolve problems with solutions that are fair to customers and right for the company.
• Target continuous improvement in processes and operations that will enhance service and boost overall performance.
• Achieve high standards of individual performance that support company objectives and maximize resources.
• Accept personal accountability for quality results, for treating others professionally and respectfully, and for using productive communication that fosters teamwork and collaboration.
• Travel will be required.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Create and propose objectives to department manager.
• Assume duties of department manager in the manager's absence.
• Directly represent and defend the company or its policyholders as requested.
• Develop or lead educational presentations for the company, insurance industry, public, or other audience as requested.
• Support company policies and create an atmosphere of cooperation.
• Act as resource to other team members and the company at large with respect to coverage, legal subject matters, company policies, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree is required. Juris Doctorate with active licensure in geographic footprint preferred.
• CPCU designation or coursework in insurance or Risk Management is desirable. Demonstrated knowledge of commercial insurance coverage, claims, tort, civil procedure, contract and insurance law.
• At least five years' experience and expertise in commercial litigation, coverage evaluation, trial practice, and/or commercial insurance required.
• Proven ability to evaluate all types of bodily injury and property damage claims and negotiate them to a successful resolution.
• Limited in state and out of state travel may be required.
• Prior claim handling or insurance experience preferred.
• All U.S. state and federal jurisdictions; in addition to experience in complex case handling across all standard lines the position will prefer specific knowledge, skills and experience to include: a) analysis of coverage with emphasis on CGL, CA, BOP and related commercial endorsements; b) familiarity with additional insured endorsements and commercial tenders; c) familiarity with construction defect, risk transfer, commercial auto, employer's liability, employment, and consumer law; d) familiarity with and analysis of serious or complex injury and financial loss claims.