Legal Associate Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Company Details
"Our Company provides a state of predictability which allows brokers and agents to act with confidence."
Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation has grown from a small investment management firm into one of the largest commercial lines property and casualty insurers in the United States.
Along the way, we've been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, become a Fortune 500 Company, joined the S&P 500, and seen our gross written premiums exceed $10 billion.
Today the Berkley brand comprises more than 60+ businesses worldwide and is divided into two segments: Insurance and Reinsurance and Monoline Excess. Led by our Executive Chairman, founder and largest shareholder, William. R. Berkley and our President and Chief Executive Officer, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., W.R. Berkley Corporation is well-positioned to respond to opportunities for future growth.
Join our dynamic Legal Management Services department as a Legal Audit Counsel. In this role, you'll focus on validating legal bill charges using attorney guidelines and industry standards through an electronic billing system. Your responsibilities will include resolving billing disputes, handling legal bill review appeals, educating law firms and staff on the bill review process, and analyzing billing discrepancies to assess law firm performance and billing trends. This unique position reports to the AVP of Litigation Management Services at W. R. Berkley Support Services as part of a new team established to provide centralized legal bill review and outside counsel guidance to multiple independent operating units within the W.R. Berkley Corporation.
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Responsibilities
The Legal Audit Counsel is a key member of the Legal Management Services department responsible for validating legal bill charges using attorney guidelines and industry standards through an electronic billing system. The role includes resolving billing disputes, handling legal bill review appeals, educating law firms and staff on the bill review process, and analyzing billing discrepancies to assess law firm performance and billing trends while supporting multiple independent operating units within W. R. Berkley Corporation.
• Ensure prompt, accurate and efficient auditing of submitted legal fee and expense invoices pursuant to applicable litigation and billing guideline.
• Conduct line by line review of invoices to determine accuracy, reasonableness and compliance with agreed upon fee structure between company and law firm.
• Identify and group tasks to evaluate the progression of activities from start of case to closure.
• Collect information needed via contact with law firm and claims staff to determine the reasonableness of time spent on tasks for completion of bill review process.
• Identify billing discrepancies based on knowledge of litigation and billing guidelines, industry standards and litigation history, and reduce invoices accordingly.
• Discuss, explain and educate attorneys and claims staff on reasons for invoice reductions, bill review process and compliance with litigation and billing guidelines.
• Advise and work closely with claim managers, adjusters, and attorneys on billing discrepancies to determine the reasonableness of time spent and best course of action for resolution.
• Develop and maintain extensive knowledge related to determining the likely legal necessity for specific insurance defense and coverage related law firm work.
• Make quick, sound decisions and negotiate resolution of billing issues or disputes.
• Utilize claim file and document review to obtain claim strategy information and apply during review process.
• Ensure prompt, accurate and efficient auditing of submitted legal fee and expense invoices and amend as appropriate.
• Engage in written and/or verbal communications with law firms and/or the Berkley operating unit employees managing the claim, serving as the technical resource for appeal oversight and/or discretionary reviews.
• Participate in calibration and consultation with the Litigation Management Services team.
• Collaborate with claims department for more effective litigation cost control.
• Serve as a technical resource to other claim professionals and various stakeholders, providing consultation and training regarding legal bill review and related best practices where appropriate.
• Drive and influence compliance with partnering law firms based on W.R. Berkley Corporation's retention and billing policies and philosophy through building a trusted and strategic business partnerships.
• Assist and provide input to identify improvement or innovative opportunities and aid in the understanding, assessment and removal of barriers to success of this newly formed team.
Qualifications
Skills and Competencies:
• Five (5) years of experience working with litigation and legal billing practices, including civil court rules and procedures and state and federal court systems
• Three (3) years of legal bill review experience with exposure to multiple lines of business and varying levels of billing complexity
• Proficient in the use of eBilling platforms, including Bottomline's LegalX and Legal Exchange
• Experience utilizing AI-enabled legal billing and analytics tools to support accurate bill review, identify billing irregularities, and ensure compliance with outside counsel billing guidelines
• Ability to analyze AI-generated insights and apply legal judgment to validate billing exceptions, cost trends, and efficiency opportunities
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Adobe PDF
• Excellent computer and technical aptitude, with the ability to adapt quickly to new systems and technologies
• Ability to function independently and successfully multi-task in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Exceptional organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong legal judgment with the ability to make sound, well-reasoned decisions
• Strategic thinker with the ability to leverage data and technology to optimize legal spend
• Professional demeanor with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity
• Team-oriented, collaborative, and able to work effectively with minimal supervision
Berkley Core Competencies:
• Accountability
• Communication
• Customer Focus and Teamwork
• Innovation and Initiative
• Flexibility
Education Requirement
• JD in good standing
Additional Requirements
Location and Travel:
• Primary location Urbandale, IA.
• Additional locations: Jacksonville, FL; Irving, TX; Glen Allen, VA; West Hartford, CT; Atlanta, GA; Chesterfield, MO; Scottsdale, AZ.
• Travel: Minimal travel.
• Remote opportunity available.
Sponsorship Details
Sponsorship not Offered for this Role