Claims Counsel - Coverage

Skyward Specialty is a property and casualty insurance holding company formed in 2007. Based in Houston, Texas, and with staff throughout the country, Skyward Specialty provides admitted and non-admitted solutions to retail and wholesale distributors, managing general agents and captive markets. We have built highly respected businesses in specialty lines including management professional liability, medical stop loss, surety, E&S property and liability, and large commercial property, as well as multi-line solutions for the energy, trucking and construction industries.

At Skyward Specialty, we approach this business differently. In fact, we’re different from most others in our industry in just about every way. We have the spirit of a start-up with the security of over $1.7 billion in Written Premium. We put immense brain power and energy into finding greater insights to uncover better opportunities for our clients, partners, and people. We think at a higher level, so they can succeed at a higher level.

We are committed to a Diverse Workforce

Skyward Specialty is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nativity, neurodiversity, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. For more information about us please visit www.skywardinsurance.com

General Purpose of Position: To assist the General Counsel and Manager – Claims Legal in providing legal advice and assistance to the Company’s claims department and related groups for risk reduction/mitigation as to the handling, analysis and resolution of insurance coverage, bad faith and extra-contractual issues, Company litigation, policy limit/time limit demands, reinsurance issues, and disputes in claim related litigation.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Operate within responsibilities and authorities as set by the General Counsel and Manager – Claims Legal.
• Review and approve reservation-of-rights and coverage denial letters prior to issuance.
• Review policy-limit demands and provide advice on an appropriate response.
• Provide coverage advice or refer request to outside counsel as may be appropriate.
• Monitor and direct coverage litigation such as declaratory relief, rescission actions and other Company litigation.
• Oversee discovery requests and responses involving any claims-related litigation against the Company.
• Follow established procedures, protocols, and standards reflective of industry best practices, optimizing business results and driving continuous improvement.
• Participate in the evaluation of the company’s claims-handling processes and guidelines, and initiate core process improvements.
• Participate in Risk Mitigation Strategic reviews of various Claim Division business units.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance in claims core processes.
• Manage external coverage counsel and related resources including experts, attorneys, contractors, and independent claims adjusters etc., to effectuate best possible claim outcomes.
• Attend meditations, arbitrations and trials as needed and as appropriate (travel costs reimbursable), on coverage-related matters.
• Provide training to claims department staff, selected company staff, and TPAs in areas of good-faith claims handling, including providing lessons-learned from company coverage litigation experience and outcomes.
• Provide timely updates on any change in applicable state or federal insurance law, or the relevant legal environment.
• Assist in the creation or revision of claim related documents as may be necessary.
• Assist in maintaining and updating, as needed, a list of approved outside coverage counsel, and approve retention of coverage counsel not on the approved list.
• Provide advanced approval of all assignments to outside coverage counsel before retention.
• Promote a culture of personal responsibility, accountability, and open communication.
• Ensure fair and ethical policies and practices in all relationships and operations.
• Manage and control expenses incurred for outside counsel, experts, independent adjusters, and other vendors retained to assist with coverage, bad faith, extra-contractual, or related matters.
• Other duties as may be assigned as appropriate.

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential function and responsibility proficiently. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Experience  

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in insurance coverage analysis or related litigation.
• Strong management and professional lines and commercial property experience is preferred.
• Prior experience with a law firm or in-house at an insurance company in a coverage-related role is required.

Skills  

• Expert verbal and written legal reasoning and analytical skills.
• Expert communication, listening and negotiation skills.
• Intermediate level PC and software applications and capabilities.
• Highly organized with great attention to detail.
• Able to work in a fast-paced and multi-faceted environment.
• Able to prioritize effectively to accomplish objectives with creativity and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated increasing areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in providing leadership and management to a group of individuals with varying skill levels and experience.

Abilities

• Exercises initiative and decisiveness.
• Balances the law with practical business sense
• Demonstrates adaptability, service motivation.
• Respects the differences of others and accepts personal responsibility.
• Able to secure, retain and affect the growth of top talent.
• Dissect complex issues and apply expert decision-making skills.
• Work cohesively in a team-oriented environment.

Education

• Minimum Appropriate four-year degree from an accredited institution.
• Law Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one state, including maintaining a valid license.

Compensation & Benefits

The applicable base salary for this opportunity is $160,000 - $170,000.  The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, location, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements.  In addition to the base salary, this opportunity will be eligible for performance-based incentives.

We are excited to offer a competitive total rewards package which includes health and welfare benefits, tuition and professional certification assistance, 401k savings, elective participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Program, paid time off, paid holidays, and child bonding leave, as well as other employee assistance programs.

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