Insurance Claims Counsel (Chicago)

Insurance Claims Counsel Complex Loss

(Property and Casualty), Chicago, IL

Producers National Corporation

Full-time, hybrid work schedule (3 days in-office per week), equal opportunity employer, resumes from search or staffing firms will be considered.

Direct line reporting to the General Counsel and supporting our Claims department we are seeking an experienced attorney to lead program-level large or complex loss management and, where warranted, directly work in partnership with Claims to successfully administer our most complex or visible claims. The preferred applicant will have experience in an insurance company general counsel environment or as a legal advisor to a Claims function handling a high-volume, low policy limit inventory. All candidates must demonstrate sound legal expertise coupled with capable business judgment, along with success in a highly regulated corporate environment that often requires responding to urgent requests for legal advice from senior management and key business partners, while proactively advising business risks and opportunities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Strategically partner with Claims leadership to review and manage large or unique risk matters. Assess carrier risk and Company exposure. Conduct and oversee thorough investigations at case inception to determine liability, causation and damages. Select, retain and manage outside counsel for litigated cases, and actively manage their activities and costs on large loss and routine matters. Attend and negotiate high-value claims at mediations, settlement conferences and trials. Advise Claims and senior management on best practices and improved strategies for claims administration, mitigation and reporting. Provide coaching, technical direction, and performance feedback on large loss claims to complex claims unit. Evaluate policy language to determine the scope of coverage, draft complex coverage letters, and communicate positions clearly. Ensure Company compliance with laws and industry standards in complex claims management.

Partner with other internal departments, such as underwriting, to manage risk, track changes in the law, and provide regular updates to executive management regarding industry trends and their impacts on the Company. Train and support adjusters on law updates in each operating jurisdiction. Provide corporate compliance support, legal support of strategic business initiatives, and other matters as may be assigned. Provide legal advice on varied corporate and transactional matters and negotiation of commercial contracts and dispute resolution on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including with reference to the implementation of reinsurance agreements and claims administration agreements.

Identify and mitigate legal risk in challenging Claims issues and opportunities.

Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with senior management, the board of directors, shareholders and external stakeholders including clients, insurance producers and agents, outside counsel and other strategic partners.

Other duties as assigned including participation in special projects and support to other company teams and strategic third-party partners.

Minimum Job Requirements

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from ABA-accredited institution and member in good standing of a Bar (or equivalent).

10 years or more years of combined law firm, government, and / or in-house legal experience with increasing levels of responsibility involving the insurance industry, litigation, or commercial matters. First chair trial experience required.

Experience in transactional matters or litigation, preferably in the insurance or reinsurance industry. Superior oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, comfortable in a fast-paced environment, and a positive attitude.