Associate General Counsel - Coverage

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Associate General Counsel, Coverage (“AGC Coverage Counsel”) is a legal resource within the Markel Claims Department, providing legal coverage support to the Casualty claims professionals. AGC Coverage Counsel provides specialized legal advice for multiple casualty lines of business (including products, general liability, construction, and environmental) on a variety of coverage issues. AGC Coverage Counsel assists with providing detailed analysis and rendering legal coverage opinions and guidance that support good-faith claims handling practices; provides advice on coverage litigation involving the Company and assists in reviewing declaratory judgment actions filed on behalf of the Company; and works on policy form review and drafting. AGC Coverage Counsel is a critical thinker in coverage and claims handling matters; engages in independent analysis and evaluation of coverage issues; works collaboratively with the AGC Coverage Counsel team, Casualty Claims leadership, Claims professionals, and outside coverage counsel, to provide consistent interpretation and application of the policy coverages in line with up-to-date laws; and makes recommendations to the Casualty Claims Leadership on cases requiring elevated review.

The primary role of Associate General Counsel, Coverage (“AGC Coverage Counsel”) is to provide coverage advice and act as a strategic partner to claims professionals in regard to coverage issues arising out of third-party liability coverages handled by various lines of business, research coverage issues, provide opinions on coverage issues as necessary, and assist in reviewing coverage position letters. The ideal candidate must be an excellent writer and communicator, a strategic thinker, have strong analytical skills and the ability to proactively manage multiple tasks and priorities.   

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Providing support to Associate General Counsel assigned as manager
• Providing legal advice on a variety of coverage issues arising out of claims being handled by the claim professionals
• Providing legal coverage support to Casualty Claims units
• Conducting legal research
• Issuing of written coverage opinions
• Providing assistance with the issuance of coverage position letters on an as needed basis
• Providing advice on response to tenders of coverage from potential additional insureds or indemnities
• Managing and directing the handling of high-exposure policy limits demands in conjunction with claims professionals
• Reviewing outside counsel’s coverage opinions
• Reviewing draft declaratory judgment actions being filed on coverage issues
• Participating in strategic discussions on coverage matters and coverage litigation on an as requested basis
• Monitoring case law on a variety of coverage issues and notify interested stakeholders of new developments
• Providing training on coverage issues to the Claims Department
• Reviewing proposed policy wording on an as requested basis
• Communicating with our Underwriting partners regarding coverage issues and risk assessment
• Preparing white papers on topics of interest (coverage related) as requested
• Preparing quarterly reports to Claims Management  communicating key performance metrics, identifying action plans for training as needed, and identifying trends relating to coverage issues
• Attending mediations or settlement conferences on behalf of the Company

Education

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

Work Experience

• 8 to 10 years of recent coverage practice in a law firm or with an insurer with an emphasis on general liability coverages or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with commercial general liability policies required
• 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 General Liability policies, including Excess/Umbrella policies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with little oversight
• Ability to analyze and summarize complex issues; r