Claims Counsel - Coverage (Remote)

Description:

Overview:
A Property & Casualty Insurance Holding Company is a property and casualty insurance holding company formed in 2007. Based in Houston, Texas, and with staff throughout the country, A Property & Casualty Insurance Holding Company provides admitted and non-admitted solutions to retail and wholesale distributors, managing general agents and captive markets. We have built highly respected businesses in specialty lines including management professional liability, medical stop loss, surety, E&S property and liability, and large commercial property, as well as multi-line solutions for the energy, trucking and construction industries.

At A Property & Casualty Insurance Holding Company, we approach this business differently. In fact, we're different from most others in our industry in just about every way. We have the spirit of a start-up with the security of nearly $1.5 billion in Written Premium. We put immense brain power and energy into finding greater insights to uncover better opportunities for our clients, partners, and people. We think at a higher level, so they can succeed at a higher level.

We are committed to a Diverse Workforce
A Property & Casualty Insurance Holding Company is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nativity, neurodiversity, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. For more information about us please visit www.skywardinsurance.com

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will report to and assist Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Counsel on providing legal advice and assistance to the company's claims department and related groups on the handling, analysis and resolution of insurance coverage and extra-contractual issues; claims handling best practices; and disputes in claim related litigation.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Operate within responsibilities and authorities as set by the Executive Vice President and Chief Claims Counsel.
• Review and approve coverage position correspondence prior to issuance.
• Review settlement demands and provide advice on an appropriate response.
• Provide coverage advice or refer request to outside counsel as may be appropriate.
• Monitor and direct coverage litigation such as declaratory relief and rescission actions rather brought by or against the company.
• Oversee discovery requests and responses involving any claims-related litigation against the company.
• Follow established procedures, protocols and standards reflective of industry best practices, optimizing business results and driving continuous improvement.
• Participate in the evaluation of the company's claims-handling processes and guidelines, and initiate core process improvements.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance in claims core processes.
• Manage external coverage counsel and related resources including experts, attorneys, contractors, and independent claims adjusters etc., to effectuate best possible claim outcomes.
• Attend meditations, arbitrations and trials as needed and as appropriate (travel costs reimbursable), on coverage-related matters.
• Provide training to claims department staff, selected company staff, and TPAs in areas of good-faith claims handling, including providing lessons-learned from company coverage litigation experience and outcomes.
• Provide timely updates on any change in applicable state or federal insurance law, or the relevant legal environment.
• Assist in the creation or revision of claim related documents as may be necessary.
• Provide advanced approval of all assignments to outside coverage counsel before retention.
• Promote a culture of personal responsibility, accountability and open communication.
• Ensure fair and ethical policies and practices in all relationships and operations.
• Manage and control expenses incurred for outside counsel, experts, independent adjusters and other vendors retained to assist with coverage, bad faith, extra-contractual, or related matters.
• Other duties as may be assigned as appropriate.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must be able to perform each essential function and responsibility proficiently. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 to 7 years' experience in insurance coverage analysis or related litigation.
• Prior experience with a law firm or in-house at an insurance company in a coverage-related role is required.
• Prior experience in at least two of the following lines of business: Commercia General Liability, Business Auto, Commercial Property, Inland Marine, Cargo, Professional/E&O, Directors & Officers, and/or Reinsurance.

Skills:

• Expert verbal and written legal reasoning and analytical skills.
• Expert communication, listening and negotiation skills.
• Intermediate level PC and software applications and capabilities.
• A highly organized individual is required, in a fast-paced and multi-tasked environment.
• Able to prioritize effectively to accomplish objectives with creativity and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated increasing areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in providing leadership and management to a group of individuals with varying skill levels and experience.

Abilities:

• Exercises initiative;
• Demonstrates adaptability, service motivation.
• Respects the differences of others, and accepts personal responsibility.
• Able to secure, retain and affect the growth of top talent.
• Dissect complex issues and apply expert decision-making skills.
• Ability to work overtime or undesirable hours on short notice
• Available to travel on short notice, sometimes for an extended duration.
• Work cohesively in a team-oriented environment.

Education:

• Minimum Appropriate four-year degree from an accredited institution.
• Law Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one state, including maintaining a valid license.
  

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