Claims Legal Services Manager na Canal Insurance

Claims Legal Services Manager

Department: Claims
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Reports To: VP, Chief Claims Officer

Position Overview: The Claims Legal Services Manager is responsible for overseeing the performance of external defense counsel who partner with claims staff on litigated commercial trucking matters. This role manages the panel program, supports litigation strategy, ensures compliance with legal and billing guidelines, and promotes cost-effective resolution of claims. Key responsibilities include counsel selection and oversight, legal invoice review, cross-functional collaboration to drive strong legal outcomes and vendor performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Panel Counsel Oversight

• Manage the performance, competitive fee structure, selection and termination of panel law firms handling trucking liability claims.
• Ensure panel counsel adhere to company guidelines, best practices, and jurisdictional expectations.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, audits, and feedback sessions with law firms.
• Update and enforce panel counsel guidelines to maintain high legal and ethical standards.

Litigation Strategy

• Partner with claims handlers and senior claims leaders on defense strategies for matters including but not limited to high-severity and complex trucking claims.
• Evaluate legal defenses, liability exposures, and settlement opportunities across jurisdictions.
• Monitor legal trends in transportation law, FMCSA regulations, and state-specific liability standards.
• Provide litigation support, including trial readiness reviews, case strategy assessments, and early resolution planning.

Legal Billing Management

• Review legal invoices for accuracy, compliance with billing guidelines, and cost-efficiency.
• Manage and improve legal billing audit processes using e-billing and review tools.
• Identify and resolve billing discrepancies with outside counsel.
• Report on legal spend trends and recommend cost-control strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate cross-functionally to provide legal oversight with broader business goals.
• Participate and facilitate expert resources in training initiatives for claims staff and other interested parties on litigation trends, legal process, and liability issues.
• Support litigation-related reporting to executive stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) and license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 5+ years of experience in insurance defense litigation or legal claims management, with a strong emphasis on commercial trucking or transportation law.
• In-depth knowledge of FMCSA regulations, vicarious liability, negligent hiring/retention, and cargo/property damage litigation.
• Experience managing outside counsel and reviewing legal billing.
• Proficiency in legal billing systems and litigation management platforms.

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with strong judgment in litigation resolution and defense.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively across departments in a fast-paced insurance environment.
• Strong data and analytics mindset; ability to interpret litigation metrics and billing trends.