Staff Counsel Liability Claims

The Staff Counsel - Liability Claims leads all aspects of liability claims management for a large commercial transportation and logistics company with a fleet primarily leased from independent contractors. They are responsible for the strategic direction financial oversight and operational execution of the companys liability claims program encompassing commercial auto liability cargo claims general liability and catastrophic loss events. They serve as the primary liaison between operations external legal counsel insurers and senior leadership on all claims-related matters. As part of claims management they are responsible for managing complex trucking and transportation-related litigation on behalf of the organization. They serve as a legal subject matter expert guiding claims from inception through resolution while balancing litigation risk cost containment and business objectives. They partner closely with the Companys Chief Legal Officer and Deputy General Counsel claims professionals business leaders and external stakeholders and external counsel to drive efficient defensible outcomes. They bring strong litigation judgment deep knowledge of trucking accident law and the ability to independently manage a diverse caseload. This is an opportunity to leverage trial and litigation experience in a collaborative growth and transformation-oriented business.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end management of all liability claims including first-party and third-party commercial auto bodily injury property damage cargo loss and general liability matters.
• Lead and coach a team of Claims Adjusters in the daily investigation and evaluation of claims involving accidents freight/cargo loss property damage etc.
• Develop and implement claims handling protocols reserving philosophies and litigation management strategies.
• Establish and enforce timely investigation standards ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal regulations (FMCSA DOT).
• Identify trends in claims frequency and severity and present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership.
• Manage trucking and transportation-related claims from initial assignment through final resolution.
• Evaluate liability damages causation and exposure in complex truck accident claims including catastrophic injury and fatality matters.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies aligned with organizational risk tolerance and financial objectives and work with outside counsel in all phases of litigation including pleadings discovery depositions motion practice hearings mediations and trials.
• Represent the organization in settlement negotiations mediations arbitrations and court proceedings.
• Provide legal analysis and strategic recommendations to claims professionals regarding claim valuation reserving and resolution strategy.
• Identify early resolution opportunities and recommend costeffective settlement strategies where appropriate.
• Retain manage and oversee outside counsel experts and vendors including budgeting performance and outcome evaluation.

• Own the claims budget including reserve adequacy allocated loss adjustment expenses (ALAE) and vendor spend

• Collaborate with actuaries and underwriters at renewal to support accurate loss projections and program structuring

• Drive outcomes that reduce total cost of risk (TCOR) year-over-year.

• Monitor and interpret legal regulatory and case law developments impacting trucking and transportation claims.
• Collaborate crossfunctionally with claims risk management and leadership teams to support overall business goals.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws regulations ethical standards and internal policies.
• Maintain accurate timely documentation within claims and legal management systems.
• Support internal training knowledge sharing and process improvement initiatives related to transportation claims.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Certification/Licensure: Board Certification in Truck Accident Law approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and offered through the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) preferred
• Active license to practice law in good standing (or ability to obtain licensure as required for the role).
• Significant experience working with trucking/transportation claims; experience at a transportation or trucking accident law firm with direct responsibility for litigating truck accident claims preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in trucking and transportation law including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) regulations liability analysis and complex injury claims.
• Proven litigation experience handling matters from presuit investigation through trial or resolution.
• Strong analytical negotiation and legal judgment skills with the ability to balance legal risk and business considerations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while meeting deadlines in a fastpaced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain legal concepts to nonlegal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies including Windows PCs Microsoft O365 (Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint etc.) and web conferencing (Teams Zoom Webex etc.).
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% onsite setting (listed in this posting) with travel for related meetings/events.

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