Senior Claims Attorney

Job Summary

The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide policy coverage advice, manage coverage litigation and litigation brought against West Bend and West Bend insureds, work with product development and underwriting to create and manage forms and develop new products, and provide general legal advice and service to the Claims Organization and other West Bend Business partners.  This position will also have responsibility to provide training to claims professionals and other business partners as necessary, conduct legal research and provide state specific legal updates.

This position offers both remote and hybrid work locations.  Candidates who reside within 50 miles of an office location (West Bend, Madison, Appleton) will be offered a hybrid work schedule.  Candidates who are fully remote (beyond 50 miles) may occasionally be asked to travel to an office location for in-person engagement activities such as team meetings, training and corporate events.  

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Core Responsibilities:

• Actively manage assigned litigation cases brought against West Bend’s Insureds and West Bend and actively oversee and direct outside defense counsel in the defense of the action.  
• Actively manage assigned coverage litigation cases brought by or against West Bend and actively oversee and direct outside defense counsel in the handing of the action.  
• Follow established Litigation Management Best Practices and related requirements in managing all litigated matters.
• Actively document all litigated case progress in claim file notes and provide timely updates, liability and damage analysis and reserve recommendations.  
• Create and execute action plans for all managed litigation.  
• Be a part of the Legal team that provides both excellent coverage and legal advice to all West Bend Claims and business partners. 
• Review and draft reservation of rights and denial letters. Review tender requests and respond to same.
• Assist in providing training to Claims and other business partners as identified and needed. 
• Establishes and maintains ongoing client and business relationships. 
• Prepare and present case reports to committee to establish reserves and settlement authority. 

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

● 8 or more years of experience performing insurance coverage analysis, providing coverage opinions, and litigating coverage issues.

● Knowledge of insurance coverage forms and construction of forms and policies.

● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.  

● Ability to analyze and evaluate a broad range of complex coverage issues and legal questions.

● Trial and litigation experience.

● Legal research. 

● Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, both written and oral along with presentational skills. 

● Strong organizational and motivational skills are a must and working knowledge of Word, Xcel, PP and other applications.   

● Law degree and actively licensed and in good standing in any state.  

● Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people at all levels and functions of the organization. 

The salary range for this position is  $135,000-$170,000.   

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity.  Compensation decisions are made by West Bend and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  

West Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including:   

• Medical & Prescription Insurance  

• Health Savings Account  

• Dental Insurance  

• Vision Insurance  

• Short and Long Term Disability  

• Flexible Spending Accounts  

• Life and Accidental Death & Disability   

• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance  

• Employee Assistance Program  

• 401(k) Plan with Company Match  

• Pet Insurance  

• Paid Time Off  

• Bonus eligible based on performance  

• West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.    

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