Description:
An Insurance Company is looking for Litigation Managment Counsel who will be responsible for oversight and maintenance of all records and performance expectations required of outside counsel. Participate in the vetting, onboarding and oversight of all outside defense firms and, in particular, the ongoing design, modification, and implementation of the Litigation Management Quality Assurance program. Manage scheduled litigation file handling reviews, calibrate and report results, address areas needing improvement. All job duties and responsibilities must be carried out in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. This role can be located at any of our offices within the Selective footprint or remote for the right candidate.Job Responsibilities:
- Evaluates and maintains the current vendor partnership portfolio and identifies areas of opportunity. Contributes to the review of new vendor requests, analyze need for same and make appropriate recommendations. Ensures that all approved vendors are in compliance with all Selective published guidelines with respect to requirements, including but not limited to jurisdictional and line of business expertise and carrying appropriate levels of insurance.
- Researches alternative or new vendor options at the direction of AVP, Litigation Management.
- Monitors compliance with existing vendor management strategy to the claims organization by creating clear and concise instructions on vendor requests, monitoring and control. Develop tailored strategies with key service providers and vendors to maximize savings, mitigate cost increases and optimize operational levels.
- When required, is the liaison between firm relationship partners and Selective Insurance regarding all aspects of the relationship (approved timekeepers, billing issues, guideline compliance, performance management, etc.).
- Contact resource between the Claim department and Litigation Management Unit. Solicits feedback from line of business staff to ensure best in class legal services are procured/provided as required.
- Assists in the development and maintenance of a viable and competitive vendor base. Develop knowledge of industry suppliers, seeking opportunities for new relationships to meet business needs.
- Develops and collaborates amongst the Claims department on training materials, Litigation File Handling
- Guidelines, Claims Handling Guidelines, Legal Services Agreements and Quality Assurance Review protocols.
- Conducts/participates in various quality assurance and other audits/reviews to ensure alignment with Key
- Performance Indicators (KPI) and compliance with litigation file handling guidelines to ensure that legal service providers deliver best in class legal services. Facilitates audit calibration sessions; provides analysis as well as development and implementation of corrective action planning (including requirements and specifications development) to address deficiencies following Quality Assurance reviews.
- Provides effective and timely communications, information, advice, and other services to internal and external stakeholders. When required, presents to internal business units and external providers in 1:1 and group settings.
- Collaborates with Litigation Management Unit staff and leadership to discuss strategy, best practices, vendor trends and areas for improvement.
- Engages in other activity as directed by the AVP, Litigation Management and VP, Claims General Counsel.
Job Qualifications:
- 10+ years of active litigation experience preferred, including first-chair trial to verdict.
- Private practice experience strongly preferred.
- Experience with coaching, counseling, and professional development of legal staff preferred.
- Experience and detailed knowledge of Property & Casualty insurance for all P&C lines of business in Standard and Excess & Surplus Lines.
- Excellent customer service, strong verbal, and written communication skills, as well as negotiation skills to effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and obtain the best possible pricing and services from vendors.
- Superior organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to demonstrate independent judgment, research, litigation, and analytical skills.
- In-house Property & Casualty experience required.
- Legal case management software experience required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and Edge or Chrome required.
- Able to process information quickly and propose workable solutions.
- Ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines.
- Excellent typing skills required.
- Knowledge of State laws, local court procedures and policies required.
- Detailed knowledge of the business unit and industry preferred.
