Claims Counsel

Old Republic Professional Liability, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Republic Professional Liability, Inc. is seeking a mid-level Claims Counsel in downtown Chicago to handle low to high severity files from notice to conclusion, with mentoring and oversight from an ORPRO supervisor.

The role emphasizes collaboration with associates and maintaining professional relations across stakeholders. The position is hybrid (minimum 3 days in the office), full-time, with a salary range of $150,000–$200,000 base plus eligibility for a bonus incentive program.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in good standing.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant insurance, claims-related, or law firm experience preferred.
• Private practice litigation experience preferred.
• Experience in Professional Management Liability preferred.
• Willingness to travel for mediations, and client or account meetings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, interpretive, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and document activity for assigned claims with oversight by ORPRO supervisor.
• Develop knowledge of Old Republic policy forms and industry trends.
• Identify and address coverage issues with oversight.
• Draft insurance coverage correspondence and reports.
• Communicate claim activity with insureds, brokers, and ORPRO leadership.
• Maintain professional relationships with internal and external audiences.
• Escalate files requiring review to ORPRO supervisor or designated Counsel.
• Develop action plans to secure timely resolution and negotiate settlements with oversight.
• Review and audit invoices from attorneys and vendors per guidelines.

Skills

Legal analysis

Verbal communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Time management

Organizational skills

Independent work

Confidentiality

Job description

Claims Counsel

Job Type: Full Time

Location: Downtown-Chicago, IL

Remote Work: Hybrid, minimum 3 days in the office to promote collaboration and interaction with associates onsite.

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 base salary, plus eligibility for additional bonus incentive program.

Position Overview

Claims Counsel is a mid-level Old Republic Professional (ORPRO) Claims Counsel focused on handling low to high severity files from notice to conclusion with moderate training, mentorship, oversight, and management by an ORPRO supervisor.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage and document activity for assigned claims, including coverage evaluation, investigation, and consideration of multiple factors to assess potential liability and exposure, presented with oversight by ORPRO supervisor or designated ORPRO Claims Counsel.
• Develop working knowledge of Old Republic policy forms, industry trends, and issues common to particular lines of insurance.
• Regularly identify and appropriately address relevant coverage issues under appropriate oversight by an ORPRO supervisor or designated ORPRO Claims Counsel.
• Draft insurance coverage correspondence and reports.
• Communicate claim activity with insureds, brokers, ORPRO Underwriters, and ORPRO senior claims management with oversight by ORPRO supervisor or designated ORPRO Claims Counsel.
• Maintain professional relationships with internal and external audiences.
• Identify and refer files necessitating escalated review as appropriate to the ORPRO supervisor or designated ORPRO Claims Counsel.
• Regularly identify and appropriately address relevant coverage issues.
• Develop action plans on assigned files to secure appropriate and timely resolution.
• Negotiate and settle claims with appropriate oversight by the ORPRO supervisor.
• Review, evaluate, request, and assign timely and appropriate reserves from file inception to resolution with appropriate oversight by the ORPRO supervisor.
• Assign, coordinate, and manage outside counsel and vendors with appropriate oversight from the ORPRO supervisor.
• Review and audit attorney and vendor invoices consistent with Company guidelines.
• Participate in mediations and settlement negotiations to resolve claims with oversight or independently as directed by the ORPRO supervisor.
• Active and meaningful participation in achieving appropriate claim outcomes with oversight by the ORPRO supervisor.

Qualifications

• An active license to practice law in good standing.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant insurance, claims-related, or law firm experience preferred.
• Private practice litigation experience preferred.
• Experienced claims handler.
• Professional Management Liability experience preferred.
• Obtain adjuster license(s) or agree to obtain adjuster license(s) and additional training as necessary or required to complete claims handling responsibilities with moderate training, mentorship, oversight, and management by ORPRO supervisor or designated senior-level ORPRO Claims Counsel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, interpretive, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to make sound decisions.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Strong writing and presentation skills.
• Effective advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Detail-oriented, adaptable to a changing environment, and strategic in decision-making.
• Customer-service and relationship-oriented; strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and remain self-motivated in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to demonstrate awareness, personal commitment, and initiative to continuously improve in their role, welcome new challenges, and acquire new skills.
• Willingness to travel for mediations, and client or account meetings.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Old Republic Professional provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.