Claims Managing Attorney

About the role

This senior management position is responsible for the overall management of all in-house claims' legal offices. The role involves managing attorneys and paralegals in multiple offices who provide legal representation of insureds as well as the Exchange. It also includes managing the Subrogation section, which files and serves subrogation actions on behalf of the Exchange. The position ensures that legal representation is properly carried out within policy terms, in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and in adherence with legal defense Best Practices.

The primary functions include leadership, coaching, performance counseling, and training of attorneys and paralegals, as well as regular communication, advice, and legal support to the Claims Business Unit.

Responsibilities

• Manage attorney/paralegal file quality by ensuring proper staffing, training, communication, audits, and customer feedback.
• Ensure employees' compliance with Club policy and federal and state labor and employment laws; approve necessary forms and reports in compliance with these laws.
• Interview, screen, and hire employees as replacements or additions to staff.
• Maintain regular engagement with the legal operations team on operational matters.
• Manage and oversee the department budget to operate within it and reduce unnecessary expenses.
• Coach employees regularly to reinforce behavior that promotes accomplishment of performance expectations and ensures adherence to department requirements, metrics, goals, and legal defense Best Practices.
• Conduct performance reviews and recommend salary increases and variable pay to upper management.
• Detect and address client concerns about attorney work product, attitude, responsiveness, and maintain high levels of client satisfaction.
• Identify and submit promotions, terminations, and disciplinary actions of employees to upper management for approval.
• Assign and direct work to attorneys, coordinate their activities, and regularly review work product to ensure compliance with department requirements, acceptable quality of legal representation, and cost control.
• Coordinate and lead attorney file reviews to discuss cases and direct attorneys regarding investigation, discovery, evaluation, ADR, and trial.
• Participate in claims conferences such as homeowners and subrogation.
• Participate in Casualty Solutions meetings, including presentation of legal topics pertinent to the Claims Business Units.
• Identify issues, problems, and opportunities; facilitate problem-solving; make decisions; and handle customer complaints/issues expeditiously.
• Respond to complaints from the Department of Insurance, members, insureds, claimants, or Club employees.
• Provide legal opinions on issues arising from specific files as well as on policy interpretation, legislative and judicial decisions, and any other legal issues that may impact the Claims Business Unit.
• Provide legal advice in the development of forms, letters, and procedure manuals.
• Prepare and present training programs for attorneys and claims staff.
• Prepare reports on files, metrics, and goals for upper management and the Claims Business Unit.
• Review and evaluate attorney work products and quality of legal representation to assess performance and develop appropriate coaching plans.
• Track overall office performance and create strategies to ensure proper handling of cases with the highest level of legal service.
• Provide legal guidance to handling attorneys for all files within an office.
• Handle most decisions in the day-to-day operations of individual offices and direct the activities of attorneys and secretaries.

Requirements

• JD Required
• 7-9 years of Insurance defense law experience
• 1-3 years of Management experience (Preferred)
• Advanced leadership abilities
• Advanced interpersonal skills
• Advanced organizational and planning skills
• Advanced communication skills
• Must be a member of the state bar within the state of practice
• Certified Legal Professional - National Association of Legal Assistants (Required)

Benefits

• Health coverage for medical, dental, and vision
• 401(K) savings plans with company match and Pension
• Tuition assistance
• Floating holidays and PTO for community volunteer programs
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness programs
• Employee discounts (membership, insurance, travel, entertainment, services, and more)