Claims Counsel, ALIA

The Alberta Lawyers Indemnity Association (“ALIA”) is the member-funded, non-profit corporation that manages Alberta’s indemnity program for participating lawyers, providing economic and reputational protection to them and compensation to members of the public who have suffered certain financial losses due to the actions of participating lawyers, including professional errors and misappropriation. ALIA operates as a separate financial entity from the Law Society of Alberta (“LSA”), ALIA’s sole shareholder, which regulates Alberta’s legal profession in the public interest. ALIA is overseen by a board of directors selected for their skills and experience.

Reporting to the Manager, Claims, the Claims Counsel is expected to effectively and efficiently investigate, assess, manage and settle negligence and misappropriation claims made against participating lawyers.

As a member of the ALIA team, the Claims Counsel will:

• Honour and visibly support ALIA’s Vision, Mission, Values and Operating Principles.
• Work collaboratively with high performance individuals and make a positive contribution to a high performance, results-orientated culture.
• Function within defined authority limits.
• Retain and oversee independent claims investigators, adjusters and outside counsel, when appropriate.
• Maintain claim files in accordance with the Claims Manual and update claim data and statistics.
• Respond positively and incorporate improvements highlighted through internal audits and the File Management Reviews.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate coverage with reference to policy definitions, conditions and exclusions.
• Inform subscribers of claims process, management of their file and any coverage issues.
• Negotiate terms of coverage with subscribers and document agreement by letter, non-waiver agreement or reservation of rights letter.
• Provide advice and strategic support to subscribers to prevent and repair claims.
• Develop comprehensive strategies to efficiently resolve claims.
• Make informed and prudent decisions to retain and oversee outside experts and counsel.
• Independently conduct settlement negotiations and meetings, arrange and participate in mediations, arbitrations, mini-trials, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
• Conduct research of applicable statutes and common law precedents, as required.

Qualifications

• Member of the Law Society of Alberta (or eligible for membership)
• Law Degree
• Minimum 3 years of post-call practice experience.
• Related litigation/insurance defence practice experience and/or liability claims experience is an asset.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of executives, managers, staff, and subject matter experts.
• Superior analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to assess complex situations and recommend solutions.
• Excellent time management, prioritization, organizational, judgment and communication skills.
• Strong work ethic with attention to detail and a sharp focus on the quantity and quality of work produced.
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision.
• A desire and capability for growth to meet additional requirements added to this position over time.
• Flexible with work hours during peak periods.

Additional Information

ALIA is partnering with Caldwell on this search. Interested applicants should inquire directly with Meaghan Loughry at mloughry@caldwell.com and Dal Bhathal dbhathal@caldwell.com.