Coverage Counsel

Company Details

 

A constellation in the southern hemisphere, Vela means "sails of a ship" in Latin. In 1996, Vela Insurance Services began operations writing excess and surplus lines casualty business. In the beginning, the primary focus was on construction and manufacturing risks but expanded to write a variety of general casualty and professional liability classes. Today, we offer both national service and local knowledge to our exclusive wholesale broker network and the businesses they serve.

 

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

 

https://www.vela-ins.com/ 

Responsibilities

This is an ideal opportunity for a legal professional seeking an in-house role.  Vela offers an incredible company culture and team atmosphere in its claims department.  While the role is desired in Atlanta, consideration will be given to other locations for the right candidate.  Vela’s In-house Coverage Counsel is a key member of its claims organization.  As a primary decision-maker, guide, mentor and consultant on strategy and analysis of complex coverage matters, legal issues and trends, you will be a critical part of Vela’s success.

 

Vela’s in-house Coverage Counsel provides legal advice and recommendations on coverage-related matters.  Overall, the role involves working with stakeholders to develop and address coverage positions, documentation, and processes for the Best Practices administration of claims from a coverage perspective. 

 

The In-house Coverage Counsel’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

 

• Provides comprehensive coverage interpretation, prepares opinions, and provides advice to claims team members.
• Possesses the requisite knowledge and experience to make coverage decisions on complex coverage matters.
• Reflects expertise in excess and surplus lines, its corresponding coverage forms, and particularly in liability, professional lines, construction defect and others.
• Participates in round tables, collaborates with the claims team and others on coverage matters and provides training. 
• Maintains focus and drives results from a coverage perspective while ensuring a Best Practices claims environment.
• Stays up to date on industry trends and legal developments to provide the highest level of advice.
• Assists with the assignment of outside coverage counsel and in a consultative way, establishes approach and strategy.  Monitors and provides oversight and guidance in the defense of coverage matters.
• Research, drafts and edits coverage letters, coverage actions and responds to subpoenas directed to the Company.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders and external counsel to develop innovative solutions.
• Addresses insureds’ demands for independent defense counsel and reviews conflict waivers.
• Reviews settlement agreements to which the Company is a party or signatory. 
• Directs, maintains and/or prepares periodic reporting on class actions, coverage litigation, certain demands, and response to those demands.
• Provides analysis and advice on applicable coverage considerations, changes in law, conflicts, or trends.
• Has an understanding and grasp of regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Collaborates with other internal stakeholders on legal solutions, policies, forms, etc.
• Creates and proposes efficient solutions or processes to improve organizational metrics.
• Occasional travel as required.

Education Requirement:

• Juris doctorate degree required. 
• Active law license in good standing.
• Adjuster licenses are helpful, but not required.

Qualifications

To be most successful in this role, the ideal candidate will:

(May include all or the majority of the following, but not limited to the following attributes:)

 

• Possess 5 - 7 years insurance coverage and coverage litigation work.
• Have an ability to succinctly and accurately articulate a legal argument or coverage position.
• Reflect experience on coverage matters involving multiple commercial lines of business including General Liability (including NYLL,) Professional Liability, Products, Construction Defect, and others.
• Reflect experience and understanding of claim investigation, negotiation, trials, verdicts, appeals, etc.
• Have multi-jurisdictional experience in the coverage space.
• Keep a close report and corresponding diary to maintain records of matters addressed to ensure controls around a dynamic workload.
• Prioritize matters with a sense of urgency to ensure efficient and timely responses to internal and external partners.
• Embrace a collaborative claim environment where your efforts and those of others are valued.
• Build strong internal and external relationships.
• Be motivated to find and create innovative solutions to complex coverage matters.
• Possess an inquisitive nature with strong research and coverage skills.
• Demonstrate excellent negotiation, communication, and writing skills, resulting in professional and high-quality legal work.
• Reflect strong legal acumen, decision making and dispute resolution abilities.
• Have an affable nature and willingness to ensure the organization and others succeed through your daily interactions, training, and mentorship in the coverage space.

Additional Company Details

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role