Surety Claims Counsel

Company: Liberty Mutual Insurance
Location: Hoffman Estates
Posted on: May 16, 2022

Job Description:

Liberty Mutual Surety --- is seeking an experienced Surety Claims Counsel supporting in our Global Risks claims team, which is responsible for claims brought in the U.S. Specialty, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe/Middle East/Africa, and Canada regions. This is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneurial, and analytical-minded Attorney with prior Surety experience, preferably 5+ years, that has managed highly complex global claims involving multiple bonds in excess of $5-10MM in losses, with a primary focus on claims in the United States.As Surety Claims Counsel, you will be responsible for contributing to technical processes that optimize planned business results by working independently and within a team. In this role, you will apply advanced level knowledge of Surety Contract Claims to a portfolio of cases varying in size and scope, with a significant focus on the largest and most complex claims in the region and world. You will investigate, evaluate and settle claims in a fair and efficient manner. You will also negotiate, analyze, resolve and manage Surety claims, ensuring customer satisfaction and loss ratio goals.Liberty Mutual Surety, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Insurance, is the #1 Surety in the United States and the largest globally. Conducting business worldwide through fronting relationships and Liberty- owned subsidiaries, we provide bonds in over 60 countries for construction firms, manufacturers and suppliers, and commercial enterprises on an account and transactional basis. We are committed to building mutually profitable relationships by providing smart business solutions, ease of doing business, and consistent, responsive service. Liberty Mutual Surety is dedicated to the communities we serve and highly values a diverse workforce in more than 16 countries.Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and exercise an understanding of Surety bonds and industry, including the structure, terms, and conditions of Liberty Mutual's liabilities under bonds and applicable laws and regulations, by investigating and negotiating claims; analyzing financial data and contractual obligations; making a reserve recommendation; determining an appropriate course of action and managing the case to successful resolution.
• Investigate, negotiate, analyze, resolve, and manage Surety claims cases to ensure customer satisfaction and loss ratio goals.
• Directs the claims and recovery efforts, both directly and through the assignment to outside consultants, accountants, financial advisors, construction engineers and legal counsel.
• Claim duties may include some or all of the following:
  • investigating defaults and making recommendations in determining which strategy would be appropriate for Surety to implement.
  • setting accurate reserves and recommending adjustments as warranted.
  • implementing the default strategies.
  • investigating difficult claim issues, including bid protests, payment surety claims, defective specifications, contract modifications, terminations, liens and fraud questions.
  • and analyzing recovery prospects from indemnitors, principals, owners and third parties and then recommends and implements appropriate action and then pursues vigorously until close out.
  • Evaluate and settles complex contract Surety claims within delegated authority and aligned
  • Draft and review legal documents (e.g., contracts, insurance policies, leases) involving Surety Claims; Manage outside counsel in connection with litigation; Represent the Company before regulatory and administrative bodies; Provide advice regarding the implications of new laws substantially impacting the Company's business; and anticipate legal issues and encourage practices to prevent problems from arising.
  • Identify and escalate potential high exposure claims and provide recommendations as
  • Identify and make recommendations to assigned outside counsel as
  • Stay abreast of state statutes and regulations regarding surety claims. Maintain current knowledge of legal issues and developments in the law.
  • Maintain appropriate communication with key internal stakeholders, including underwriting and legal.
  • Participate in operational, development, training projects, initiatives, and presentations as requested or assigned.
  • Responsible for other duties as assigned.
    • Bachelor's degree required. Juris Doctorate degree required and a member of bar in at least one
    • Minimum of 5 years as a practicing attorney with a diverse caseload required, with an emphasis in Contract Surety Claims strongly preferred.
    • Experience managing the most complex surety claims involving multiple bonds with losses in excess of $5 million with a preference of $10 million or more highly preferred.
    • In-depth knowledge and experience working at a Surety Company or Surety Law Firm representing Surety Companies specifically highly preferred.
    • Knowledge of private, state, and federal laws that are applicable to surety claims and transactional matters.
    • Essential to success in the role is strong written and verbal communication as well as research
    • Fluency in written and spoken English required and knowledge of additional languages, especially Spanish, Portuguese, and/or French is highly desirable.
    • Experience handling complex litigation, claims, and general liability work, and research skills are also desired.
    • Displays entrepreneurial instinct and gets satisfaction in self-directing, willing to ask questions, works best in a fast-paced environment, and creatively applying resources.
    • Comfortable with technical
    • Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and meet
    • Able to travel internationally (holds or can obtain valid passport)
    • Holds current claims adjuster license in Texas and Florida (or can obtain requisite license)At Liberty Mutual, our purpose is to help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. That's why we provide an environment focused on openness, inclusion, trust and respect. Here, you'll discover our expansive range of roles, and a workplace where we aim to help turn your passion into a rewarding profession. We value your hard work, integrity and commitment to make things better, and we put people first by offering you benefits that support your life and well-being. To learn more, please visit https://www.libertymutualgroup.com/about-lm/careers/benefitsLiberty Mutual has proudly been recognized as a "Great Place to Work" by Great Place to Work - US for the past several years. We were also selected as one of the "100 Best Places to Work in IT" on IDG's Insider Pro and Computerworld's 2020 list. We have been named by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers for New Graduates-as well as one of America's Best Employers for Diversity. To learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion please visit: https://jobs.libertymutualgroup.com/diversity-inclusionLiberty Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
      Juris Doctor
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Keywords: Liberty Mutual Insurance, Hoffman Estates , Surety Claims Counsel, Legal , Hoffman Estates, Illinois