Claims Counsel - Surety
Skyward Specialty Insurance
Houston, TX
Description
Overview
Skyward Specialty is a property and casualty insurance holding company formed in 2007. Based in Houston, Texas, and with staff throughout the country, Skyward Specialty provides admitted and non-admitted solutions to retail and wholesale distributors, managing general agents and captive markets. We have built highly respected businesses in specialty lines including management liability, professional liability, medical stop loss, surety, E&S property and liability, and large commercial property, as well as multi-line solutions for the energy, trucking, and construction industries.
At Skyward Specialty, we approach this business differently. In fact, we’re different from most others in our industry in just about every way. We have the spirit of a start-up with the security of over $1.7 billion in Written Premium. We put immense brain power and energy into finding greater insights to uncover better opportunities for our clients, partners, and people. We think at a higher level, so they can succeed at a higher level.
We are committed to a Diverse Workforce
Skyward Specialty is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nativity, neurodiversity, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. For more information about us please visit www.skywardinsurance.com
Responsibilities
- Independently adjust claims on complex contract and commercial surety bonds in multiple jurisdictions in a timely, thorough, and professional manner.
- Select, retain, and manage outside surety claims counsel and related resources (including consultants, accountants, expert witnesses, etc.) to effectuate best possible claim outcomes.
- Set well-reasoned reserves and control claims-handling costs and expenses
- Attend meditations, arbitrations and trials as needed and appropriate.
- Draft claim reports for UW & management.
- Assist in the creation or revision of surety claim and/or underwriting forms and documents as may be necessary.
- Assist underwriters with the “front end” of surety transactions, for example by drafting indemnity, collateral, and related agreements, and/or reviewing or manuscripting bond forms, in a fast-paced environment with short turn-around times.
- Develop legal resource and training materials for Skyward Surety.
- Provide education and training to surety underwriting (and other selected company staff) on key legal issues involving surety bonds and claims, including “lessons learned” from past surety claim experiences and outcomes.
- Research, analyze, and provide timely updates on legal developments in the surety field.
- Promote a culture of personal responsibility, accountability and open communication.
- Ensure fair and ethical policies and practices in all relationships and operations.
- Other duties that may be assigned as appropriate.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5+ years’ experience in surety bond claims handling.
- Prior experience "in-house" in the surety claims department of an insurance company, is required.
- J.D. from an ABA accredited law school required
- State Claims Adjuster license strongly preferred
- Past or present membership in ABA/TIPS/FSLC a plus.