Complex Claims Legal Consultant

Rated Best Places to Work 2020, 2022 and 2024 by Business Insurance, Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. CWG provides unique value through the service provided by our experienced group of employees and independent agents. Since 1886 - Strong, Local and Trusted.

As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions.  W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).  

This role is based in one of our locations listed below where we offer a hybrid work schedule with four days in the office; and one day remote where it makes sense to do so.  

• Urbandale, IA
• Lincoln, NE

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.  #LI-Hybrid

As a Complex Claims Legal Consultant, you will serve as the organization’s senior technical expert for high-severity and high-complexity casualty claims, providing advanced legal, coverage, and strategic guidance. You will function as a subject-matter authority on extra-contractual exposures, complex liability matters, emerging legal trends, coverage interpretation, and litigation management. The consultant partners closely with leadership, outside counsel, and front-line claim professionals to mitigate exposure, ensure legal and regulatory compliance, and drive best-in-class technical performance.

What you can expect:

• Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues and leaders willing to invest in talent
• Internal mobility opportunities. 
• Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams.
• Opportunity to impact change.
• Benefits – competitive compensation, paid time off, comprehensive wellness benefits and programs, employer funded health savings account, profit sharing, 401k, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance and professional continuing education.  

We'll count on you to:

• Monitor and direct strategy for complex, high-exposure, and legally sensitive claim files, including matters involving significant bodily injury, wrongful death, multi-party litigation, complex coverage questions, contractual risk transfer, potential bad-faith allegations, toxic tort, public entity liability, and employer's practices liability.
• Provide advanced legal and technical advice to claims staff, leaders, and cross-functional partners, including interpretation of policy language, coverage opinions, exposure analysis, and litigation strategy.
• Conduct detailed case evaluations, participate in pre-trial/roundtable discussions, and guide reserve recommendations ensuring accuracy, consistency, and defensibility.
• Lead oversight and management of extra-contractual and bad-faith exposure files, collaborating with panel counsel and internal stakeholders to mitigate risk.
• Assist in claim file and law firm audits, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory, and company compliance expectations.
• Partner with leadership on emerging legal trends affecting casualty claims; develop recommendations for process, governance, and policy improvements.
• Lead and deliver advanced technical training for casualty claims staff, including coverage analysis, jurisdictional updates, litigation strategy, and contractual risk transfer.
• Participate in special projects requiring legal insight, including policy language review, litigation management initiatives, and cross-departmental risk mitigation efforts.

What you need to have:

• Juris Doctor (JD) required.
• 10+ years of experience with complex casualty claims, litigation, or insurance defense.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Possess strong customer orientation skills to respond quickly and professionally to customer inquiries.
• Effective project management skills.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrate problem-analysis and problem-resolution skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex liability evaluation, litigation management, and advanced coverage analysis.
• Ability to interpret policy language and complex legal documents with a high degree of accuracy.
• Proven ability to mentor and elevate technical skill of claims staff.
• Strong critical thinking, negotiation, and strategic problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle multiple complex matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

What makes you stand out:

• Active law license preferred but not required.
• Advanced industry designations (CPCU, SCLA, AIC) preferred.