Senior Claims Counsel, Surety

Job Description

Job Description

Who are we?

A strategic and trusted insurance partner, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), provides a broad range of commercial property, casualty and specialty insurance coverages and outstanding service to customers and brokers around the world.

Part of Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance operations, we bring our solutions to market with our stellar brand name, top-rated balance sheet, and the expertise of our global team of professionals, who exude excellent capabilities and strong character.

We are a values-based organization where respect, integrity, excellence, collaboration, and passion define who we are and how we do business.

We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, and perspectives and strive to foster an inclusive environment that enables all our team members to bring their best selves to work.

We are one team committed to building a culture where every teammate has the opportunity to contribute and be recognized.

Want to be part of the team building the finest property, casualty and specialty lines insurance company in the world?

Learn more about our unique culture and history.

Job Opportunity :

At Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance our claims professionals are an integral part of our business. The Surety claims professionals interact with the entire Surety team supporting the business goals and as well as contributing on a strategic level.

We are seeking an experienced professional to be part of our surety leadership team supporting our growing business. Preferred locations for this role are Boston, Chicago, or Atlanta but we are open to considering candidates anywhere in the U.

S. within the BHSI footprint.

In this role, the Senior Claims Counsel, Surety will report directly to the Global Head of Surety Claims and have an opportunity to handle all facets of Surety claims and underwriting support for both contract and commercial surety in a highly collaborative team environment dedicated to best in class service.

Duties & Responsibilities :

Claims :

• Assist in developing and refining policies, procedures, and protocols for BHSI surety claims inclusive of compliance, resourcing, internal reporting, and IT systems development.
• Manage varied caseload including payment, performance, miscellaneous contract, and commercial claims that may involve bankruptcy, tax, contract, corporate, commercial, federal, state, and international law issues.
• Ensure use of proper surety claim handling procedures and reserving practices.
• Engage in proactive exposure recognition, conduct due diligence with respect to claim or potential claim matters and employ hands-on strategies to mitigate exposure with an early focus on indemnity issues and recovery.
• Effectively collaborate with outside professional disciplines such as attorneys, accountants, and surety consultants to achieve quality deliverables and outcomes.
• Monitor and report Major Case updates to Underwriting Management and Claims leadership.
• Develop and maintain BHSI participation with industry associations, advisory committees, and forums.
• Assist in the development of international claim procedures and expertise in various jurisdictions including Canada, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
• Assist in training and talent development.

Underwriting Support :

• Provide support of HO and Field underwriting involving risk analysis, contract and bond form review and address surety, construction, and contract legal questions for both domestic and international customers.
• Draft letters to Obligees and interact with surety associations on important surety industry issues.
• Review and draft underwriting documents, including modifications to General Indemnity Agreements, Subordination Agreements, Capital Retention Agreements, and Intercreditor Agreements.
• Work with international outside counsel in preparing International Deeds of Indemnity and other related documents.
• Assist in the review, approval and drafting of Co-Surety agreements, fronting agreements, claim and other risk sharing agreements.

Assist with underwriting audit and compliance reviews.

• Review requested changes to Agency agreements and coordinate with corporate legal for approval.
• Update and maintain form libraries.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience :

• Law degree required. Business, engineering, or finance undergraduate degree a plus.
• 10+ years’ experience in surety claims or related fields preferred, including experience in complex surety cases, winds-downs, financing, bankruptcy, ADR, and litigation management.
• Prior experience with providing underwriting support. National account experience is a plus.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and to delegate effectively.
• Ability to function in ambiguous situations without significant oversight.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work extended hours when occasions demand.
• Ability to travel, nationally, up to 30% of the time.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work within a team environment.

BHSI Offers :

• A competitive package and exciting growth opportunities for career-oriented teammates
• A dynamic, action oriented, and thoughtful environment centered on always doing the right thing for our customers, teammates and our other stakeholders
• A purposely non-bureaucratic organization that embraces simplicity over complexity and emphasizes individual excellence in a team framework

NOTE : Compensation will be commensurate with experience. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Team Member may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization