Senior Litigation Specialist

The Senior Litigation Specialist efficiently and effectively handles advanced-level, primarily litigated, commercial first-party property and/or third-party general liability losses in a paperless environment, requiring prompt, courteous and professional verbal and written communication.

• Review and set up new loss assignments in a timely manner in compliance with Department guidelines and best practices.• Establish appropriate initial loss and expense reserves and regularly evaluate the file for adequacy, accuracy and adherence to reserving guidelines.• Analyze and interpret policy language in conjunction with specific loss facts to reach appropriate coverage decisions.• Draft frequent and complex coverage correspondence, including reservation of rights and coverage disclaimers in compliance with various state statutes and regulations.• Compose a variety of detailed correspondence to insureds, claimants, attorneys, agents and regulatory agencies.• Proactively manage primarily litigated claim files from inception to closure, including identification and investigation of coverage, liability and damage issues, determination and efficient execution of an appropriate plan of action, and prompt, economical file resolution, in compliance with Department guidelines and best practices.• Appropriately and clearly document all claim file activity, including current strategy, plan of action and exit plan in file notes.• Consistently demonstrate comprehensive coverage analysis, investigation, evaluation and negotiation skills at an advanced level.• Direct and control the activities and costs of numerous outside vendors including defense counsel and coverage counsel, experts and independent adjusters.• Effectively present and discuss loss facts and issues in roundtable discussions to peers and members of management at all levels.• Compose and transmit on a regular and timely basis frequent Large Loss Reports and other detailed reporting documents as appropriate.• Manage and monitor file caseload through the use of various resources.• Obtain all required state adjuster licenses and maintain them as required via compliance with mandatory continuing education requirements.• Perform other duties as may be assigned.• Serve as a technical resource within the Department through mentoring and knowledge-sharing, whether one-on-one, in small groups, or presentations to larger groups.• Meet with intern personnel and others as needed to provide job function overview and/or specific subject-matter training.• Participate occasionally in projects and initiatives led by other departments and/or W. R. Berkley companies, including audits, workshops, focus groups, task forces, etc.• Initiate appropriate communication with members of management and other Departments.• Attend internal and external seminars and other training events and provide feedback to peers and/or members of management.

Qualifications:

• At least twenty (20) years of insurance experience.• Intermediate knowledge of computer programs in a Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and e-mail.• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.• Ability to effectively communicate on the telephone.• Coverage analysis, investigation, evaluation and negotiation skills.• Litigation claim management and reserve management skills.• Policy interpretation skills.• Strong written and verbal communication skills.• Ability in technical mentoring and knowledge-sharing.• Reporting and documentation skills.• Vendor management and regulatory compliance skills.• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, e-mail and telephone communication.

Education Requirement

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.• Some college preferred.• CPCU, AIC, AEI or completion of other insurance-related classes is preferred.• Certificates as required by states.