Senior Surety Counsel

Description

Liberty Mutual Surety is seeking an experienced Sr. Surety Claims Counsel to support our Core Commercial and Commercial Transactional Claims team. This position is primarily responsible for managing domestic commercial surety claims across the United States. This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial and analytically minded attorney with significant surety experience. In this role, you will be responsible for managing some highly complex commercial surety claims involving multiple bonds as well as insolvency issues.

As Sr. Surety Claims Counsel, you will be responsible for contributing to technical processes that optimize planned business results by working independently and within a team. In this role, you will apply advanced level knowledge of commercial surety claims to a portfolio of cases varying in size and scope, with a focus on the largest and most complex claims in the region. You will investigate, evaluate, and respond to higher complexity Commercial Surety and Fidelity claims in a fair and efficient manner. You will also manage, analyze, negotiate, and resolve surety claims, manage outside consultants and attorneys to assist in the investigation, evaluation and resolution of bond and indemnity disputes. You will communicate with all related parties to the claim, including, but not limited to, principal, indemnitors, attorneys, obligees, claimants, courts and any internal and external professionals ensuring customer satisfaction and loss mitigation.

Liberty Mutual Surety, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Insurance, is the world’s largest global Surety, including in the United States. Conducting business worldwide through fronting relationships and Liberty-owned subsidiaries, we provide bonds in over 60 countries for construction firms, manufacturers and suppliers, and commercial enterprises on an account and transactional basis. We are committed to building mutually profitable relationships by providing smart business solutions, ease of doing business, and consistent, responsive service. Liberty Mutual Surety is dedicated to the communities we serve and highly values a diverse workforce.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and exercise an understanding of surety bonds and the surety industry, including the structure, terms, and conditions of Liberty Mutual's obligations under bonds and applicable laws and regulations, by investigating and negotiating claims; analyzing financial data and contractual obligations; making reserve recommendations; determining an appropriate course of action and managing the case to successful resolution.
• Utilizes expert analytical skills, experience and interdisciplinary knowledge of Surety, financial operations, statutory interpretations, and insolvency laws to Investigate, negotiate, analyze, resolve, and manage surety claims cases to ensure customer satisfaction and loss mitigation. Work may include attending and participating in legal proceedings, as appropriate.
• Direct claims and recovery efforts, both directly and through assignment to outside vendors and legal counsel.
• Claim duties may include some or all of the following:
• investigating defaults and making strategy recommendations,setting accurate reserves and recommending adjustments as warranted,implementing default strategies,handling all financial aspects of the claim, including, but not limited to, recommending adjusting and maintaining reserves, issuing payments, and identifying and collecting salvage recovery; andanalyzing recovery prospects and implementing appropriate action.
• Review legal documents (., contracts, insurance policies, leases) and sometimes draft documents involving surety claims; manage outside counsel in connection with litigation; represent the Company before regulatory and administrative bodies; provide advice regarding the implications of new laws substantially impacting the company's business; and anticipate legal issues and encourage practices to prevent problems from arising.
• Identify and escalate potential high exposure claims and provide recommendations.
• Stay abreast of state statutes and regulations regarding surety claims. Maintain current knowledge of legal issues and developments in the law.
• Maintain appropriate communication with key internal stakeholders, including underwriting and legal.
• Works collaboratively and builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders/parties.
• Independently analyzes technical and legal related issues, as needed for fact gathering, investigating, researching, drafting and resolving claim situations.
• Identify the need for, create and analyze reports to provide to management for business purposes, and participation on special projects, as directed. May mentor others.
• Participate in operational, development, training projects, initiatives, and presentations as requested or assigned.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Juris Doctorate degree and active membership of bar in at least one state required.
• Minimum of 5 years, preferably 10 years, working for a surety or as a practicing attorney (or a combination thereof) with a diverse caseload required, with an emphasis in commercial surety matters strongly preferred.
• Experience managing the most complex surety claims involving multiple bonds with losses in excess of $5 million with a preference of $10 million or more highly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge and experience working at a surety company or surety law firm representing surety companies specifically highly preferred.
• Knowledge of private, state, and federal laws that are applicable to surety claims and transactional matters.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and meet applicable deadlines.
• Willingness to travel on short notice.
• Current claims adjuster license in Texas and Florida (or ability to obtain requisite license) along with the ability to secure and maintain all required state adjuster licenses.

About Us

Pay Philosophy: The typical starting salary range for this role is determined by a number of factors including skills, experience, education, certifications and location. The full salary range for this role reflects the competitive labor market value for all employees in these positions across the national market and provides an opportunity to progress as employees grow and develop within the role. Some roles at Liberty Mutual have a corresponding compensation plan which may include commission and/or bonus earnings at rates that vary based on multiple factors set forth in the compensation plan for the role.

At Liberty Mutual, our goal is to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and can thrive. We build an environment that welcomes a wide range of perspectives and experiences, with inclusion embedded in every aspect of our culture and reflected in everyday interactions. This comes to life through comprehensive benefits, workplace flexibility, professional development opportunities, and a host of opportunities provided through our Employee Resource Groups. Each employee plays a role in creating our inclusive culture, which supports every individual to do their best work. Together, we cultivate a community where everyone can make a meaningful impact for our business, our customers, and the communities we serve.

We value your hard work, integrity and commitment to make things better, and we put people first by offering you benefits that support your life and well-being. To learn more about our benefit offerings please visit:

Liberty Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Fair Chance Notices

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