Director, Associate General Counsel - Claims

What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it.

The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem-solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realize our potential, we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special! Director, Associate General Counsel, Claims (“AGC Claims Director”) is a resource within the Markel Claim Organization providing leadership to the Associate General Counsel Claims and Coverage teams and the claims professionals. AGC Claims Director assists with providing consistent interpretation and application of policy coverages across all business lines; manages claim matters involving allegations of bad faith or which seek extra-contractual damages against Markel companies; assists in reviewing pleadings, motions, releases and discovery in declaratory judgment actions filed on behalf of the Company or filed against the Company which do not allege bad faith; and coordinates with Corporate Legal on specified matters of regulatory compliance. AGC Claims Director also provides specialized legal advice for designated lines of business on a variety of coverage issues, which may include legal research and issuance of written coverage opinions.

AGC Claims Director is a critical thinker in case-management; engages in independent analysis and evaluation of coverage issues and claims involving allegations of bad faith, which seek extra-contractual damages, or in which such exposures are alleged or may be created by the handling or outcome of a non-extra-contractual matter; engages in independent analysis of cases handled by other product lines on an as requested basis; makes recommendations to the Sr. Director, Claims-Legal on cases requiring elevated review and approval. Acts in a consultant role as in in-house coverage counsel and in case conferences, including premediation and pretrial roundtables.

Responsibilities

AGC Claims Director manages claim matters involving allegations of bad faith or which seek extra-contractual damages against the Company. AGC Claims Director may be assigned the higher-exposure or “significant” E&O reportable cases.  AGC Claims Director assists in reviewing pleadings, motions, releases and discovery in declaratory judgment actions filed on behalf of the Company or filed against the Company which do not allege bad faith; coordinates with Corporate Legal and Claims Regulatory on specified matters of regulatory compliance; and consults with Claims Professionals on matters involving Consent Judgments, policy limit demands, subpoenas and responses to consumer complaints.  AGC Claims Director provides consultation on responding to deposition notices and preparing Company employees for deposition in litigation in which the Company is a party.  AGC Claims Director undertakes legacy projects aimed to reduce extra-contractual exposure, streamline the extra-contractual litigation process, and promotes efficiency and consistency in case results. 

AGC Claims Director also provides specialized legal advice for designated lines of business on a variety of coverage issues and legal trends.. AGC Claims Director participates in strategic discussions on coverage matters and coverage litigation.  AGC Claims Director will report quarterly to Claims Management communicating key performance metrics, identifying action plans for training as needed, and identifying trends relating to litigation and coverage issues.

AGC Claims Director identifies training opportunities and assists in providing training to the Claims Staff.  AGC Claims Director is accountable to contribute in every way possible to execute established initiatives.

Job Requirements

Education

• J.D. Degree and admission to practice law in at least one state

Work Experience

• Minimum 10 years of recent coverage practice and bad faith litigation in a law firm or with an insurer with an emphasis on casualty and professional liability lines of business
• First chair trial experience on coverage and bad faith cases preferred
• Understanding of coverage issues/law in multiple jurisdictions is a must (Knowledge of CA, TX, LA, SC, FL, NY, NJ is preferred)

Skill Sets

• J.D. Degree and admission to practice law in at least one state
• Extensive working knowledge of both admitted and surplus lines products in the designated line(s) of business
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with little oversight
• Ability to analyze and summarize complex