Serve as legal advisor to the Claims Department. Provide feedback to Claims Department and Corporate Management on high risk claim exposures. Resolve technical coverage issues with appropriate feedback to the claims department and the insured as appropriate. Provide feedback to internal and external customers on claims related issues and coverages. Supervisor responsibilities to include staffing, training and development, performance management, and work force planning.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Legal advisor to the Claims Department.
- Provide coverage opinions to claims department staff on complex coverage matters utilizing outside coverage counsel when necessary. Prepare or review coverage denial letters or ROR letters on complex coverage matters.
- Perform research to provide legal advice to claims staff on interpretation of statutory or case law.
- Advise and mentor claims staff concerning the investigation, evaluation or negotiation of complex claim files.
- Provide input to management on high exposure claims.
- Provide input on training materials or programs for the claims department when requested.
- Supervisor/Manager responsibilities may include all the following:
Staffing needs, to include interviewing and onboarding for new employees.
Training and development, as well as coaching and motivation for staff.
Performance Management, goal setting, employee engagement, and salary administration.
Workforce Management to include; unit equipment, software, and space needs, approving time off and overtime usage, and budget recommendations.
- Maintain the outside panel counsel list, adding or removing firms as necessary for corporate needs and identifying firm specialty practices. Monitor and evaluate firm performance. Negotiate rates with the law firms and cause updated rates to be reflected in Legal Exchange.
- Manage such claim related litigation or direct corporate litigation including extra contractual claims, E&O claims, and other litigation as directed by Church Mutual General Counsel. Click here to enter text.
- Serve as a liaison for communication between outside counsel and in-house clients as required to resolve issues between counsel and staff or billing issues.
- Serve as a legal resource for input to other corporate departments such as Product and Underwriting regarding language of coverage forms.
- Communicate with internal business units such as Product and Underwriting concerning developing legal issues that could impact insurance exposures.Click here to enter text.
- Make recommendations on claims handling policy and procedures and drive claim initiatives related to the position's primary responsibilities.
- Stay current with key changes in the legal and regulatory environment.
- Monitor Legal Exchange regarding cost effectiveness of bill reviews and firm compliance with billing guidelines. Resolve bill appeal issues with law firms as needed. Click here to enter text.
- Such other matters as assigned by SVP and General Counsel. Click here to enter text.
Required Skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of insurance laws, regulations, and compliance standards.
- Strong knowledge of insurance products and services.
- Demonstrated leadership and team building skills.
- Demonstrated initiative and self-starter.
- Must have excellent communication skills (written and verbal), strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively and develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships at all levels throughout the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously.
- Must have demonstrated ability to function at varied levels including "hands-on" detail work and higher level strategic thinking.
- Effective prioritization skills and use time efficiently to develop realistic action plans.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and delegate.
- Some travel is required.
Required Experience
- 3+ years’ experience in a Claim Legal Department or equivalent environment required.
- 5+ years of litigation experience or management of litigation files, with a minimum 4+ years’ experience in insurance litigation preferably handling complex commercial litigation coverage matters preferred.
- 3+ years supervisory experience required.
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school required.
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.
- Experience with legal case management system desirable.
Church Mutual Insurance Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.