Senior Claims Counsel

Description:

An Insurance Company is a Bermuda-based holding company (collectively with its subsidiaries, "An Insurance Company") which serves the housing finance industry by offering private mortgage insurance, reinsurance, risk management products and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors to support homeownership. We are focused on managing risk and dedicated to serving as a strong and fair counterparty. As a company, we bring strong private capital and a commitment to risk management to the mortgage insurance industry.

Title: Senior Claims Counsel

Location: Columbia, MO

This is a management position which works under limited supervision. Provides leadership and general legal support for both the Title underwriter and title agent subsidiaries of Essent Title with an emphasis on title insurance claims investigation and administration, management of claims budgets and reserves, management and oversight of claims litigation, identification and pursuit of salvage opportunities, and negotiation with insureds, opposing counsel, and third parties.

As a dynamic and resourceful professional, we will rely on you to perform the following duties:

• Leadership in claims administration (including individual claim load responsibilities) e.g. claim intake and investigation, determination, reserving, and retention and management of outside counsel and other vendors) involving all manner of real estate law (e.g. title litigation, mechanics' lien and other subcontractor issues, disputes between lenders and borrowers and among neighboring landowners, etc.) and reviews and interprets real property documents (e.g. leases, deeds, easements, etc.), and including direct oversight of support personnel and associate claims counsel.
• Counsels management regarding compliance with insurance laws and regulations, internal and external audits and examinations, developments in guidelines from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and issues with risk management and market conduct.
• Provides support and advice to all stakeholders regarding property management and day-to-day operational issues.
• Develops, negotiates, and maintains vendor relationships and monitors performance against service level agreements; resolves or escalates highly complex issues as they arise.
• Reviews and responds to regulatory complaints.
• Remains abreast of industry trends, products, technologies, best practices, standards of conduct, ethics, competitive landscape, and legal and regulatory changes to recommend updates to strategic and operational plans for leadership decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

• JD - Juris Doctor
• Minimum seven (7) years' work experience in either a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Prior experience in title insurance required as well as real estate transactions, and insurance law regulation.
• Experience in litigation management, insurance claims management, and/or real estate/title law is preferred.
• Requires admission to state bar in the state where practicing.
• Requires experience with legal research methods, rules of evidence, and the conduct of court proceedings.
• Interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Sound judgement with a high degree of integrity and discretion.
• Requires proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Bar License - single state
• Proficient with Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with conflicting deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge in contract drafting and negotiations.
• Ability to form and maintain professional relationships with clients, colleagues, vendors, and management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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