Description:

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

Possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, be licensed to practice law within the State of Missouri and must be in good standing with the Missouri Bar.
Preferably possess a minimum of three years' work experience in insurance regulation with an insurer, state insurance department, or trade association; or three years' experience in private practice in the area of insurance defense or insurance coverage work.

Job Qualifications:

Experience preferably in property and casualty insurance law.
Ability to communicate clearly with insureds and claims personnel.
Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to function in adversarial or confrontational situations.
Excellent negotiation skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong analytic and reasoning abilities.
Highly motivated with ability to work independently.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Strong claims technical knowledge.
Legal climate background in multiple jurisdictions across Missouri.
Possesses high ethical standards.

Summary: The Claims Litigation Counsel provides legal advice and counsel regarding Farm Bureau policy language, and property and casualty litigated and non-litigated claims. Also supervises outside defense or coverage counsel, and oversees compliance with Farm Bureau's Case Handling Guidelines. Manages an active case load of litigated claims to include defense attorney budgets, claim reserves, department legal bill review program, network of defense counsel, and assists with regulatory compliance. Works closely with the Director of Claims, Claims Supervisors, defense attorneys, other departments, as well as reinsurance partners.

Essential Duties:

Provides professional legal advice to the Director of Claims regarding the adjudication of claims, claims handling practices, compliance, contract review, and associated activities in the operation of the Claims Department.
Actively manages a case load of litigation handled by outside defense counsel and supervises first party suits against the Company, which includes, hiring outside legal counsel, developing legal strategies and directing the insured's defense, coordinating communication with outside counsel, internal associates and reinsurance partners, and participating in mediations and settlement discussions.
Conducts and communicates research and provides legal opinions of an interpretive and/or advisory nature, as well as preparation of other legal documents related to coverage analysis, loss counseling, liability assessment, claims handling, policy drafting, insurance case law updates, and defense of claims.
Makes appropriate contacts and completes investigations in a timely manner to make determination of coverage, liability and exposure.
Assists claims personnel in determining exposure to establish appropriate reserves and makes timely adjustments as needed.
Manages risk and pro-actively postures claims for resolution. Determines settlement value of losses and negotiates proper settlement of claims within authority, or presents valuation evidence to the Director of Claims for additional authority, as needed. Makes recommendations for settlement and disposition of claims.
Ensures compliance with Farm Bureau's Case Handling Guidelines, including proper file documentation and review of outside defense firms' performance.
Manages a Legal Bill Review Program to assist with ensuring efficient handling of legal assignments and expense management.
Documents clearly and concisely all relevant activity on assigned files and makes recommendations for additional activity as appropriate. Articulates claims resolution strategy.
Provides appropriate coaching and training to internal personnel on legal issues as needed, guidance to avoid bad faith judgments, vexatious penalties and other extra contractual damages.
Assists with subrogation opportunities.
Assist with drafting responses relative to allegations of violations of the state regulations and laws such as the “Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act” and the “Unfair Trade Practices Act.”
Prepare a variety of legal documents including briefs, pleadings, special releases, affidavits, responses, Reservation of Rights (ROR) letters, and other legal correspondence.