Litigation Specialist

New Haven, Connecticut

Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA)
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You belong at CIRMA.

We are seeking a Litigation Specialist-Public Entity Claims to join our Liability Claims team. You will provide best-in-class municipal claims handling to Connecticut's cities and towns, boards of education, and local public agencies.

Diversity in thought and opportunity. Collaborative culture. Camaraderie and shared responsibility. That's CIRMA. Our delivery of innovative, industry-leading insurance products and services has made CIRMA Connecticut's number one choice for municipal insurance coverage. For almost half a century, CIRMA has provided an unmatched alternative to the commercial insurance market by focusing on our members' satisfaction and loss reduction through deep experience in claim and risk management. Our employees' commitment to excellence drives CIRMA's success. We, in turn, are committed to theirs.

CIRMA aims to empower our municipalities to manage risk better in an ever-changing environment. We deliver on our promise by empowering our employees to thrive in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where integrity and excellence are valued, providing the freedom to contribute to the Connecticut communities we serve. We remain dedicated to cultivating and promoting an inclusive and diverse environment where all employees feel fully engaged and included in our business and purpose: building safer, stronger communities where we all live, learn, and work.


What you're applying for:

CIRMA seeks a Claim Litigation Specialist to obtain and document material facts on assigned litigated claims consistent with CIRMA's in-house liability claims handling procedures. Establish an action plan based on case facts, best practices, protocols, regulatory issues and available resources. With detail orientation and analysis skills, you will interpret coverage, make timely coverage assessments, and prepare detailed coverage letters to CIRMA policyholders. You will conduct thorough, detailed first and third-party claim investigations and make liability determinations. The person selected for this role will effectively manage a claim pending caseload of varying complexity across several lines of business, including auto liability, general liability, and professional lines liability, which includes law enforcement, school leaders, and public officials' liability. You will determine liability by applying municipal statutory legal defenses and immunities. This position requires advanced industry knowledge, solid claims-handling acumen, and a thorough understanding of Connecticut state and federal laws and requirements.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU'LL NEED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING SKILLS TO THE TABLE:

  • Strong litigation management skills and ability to provide direction to defense counsel during the litigation process in order to ensure favorable cost-effective resolution
  • Advanced knowledge of auto and general liability, property damage, bodily injury, and professional lines insurance coverages
  • Superior customer service skills and ability to work collaboratively within the organization
  • Establish indemnity and legal reserves up to designated authority levels and recommend reserving above such levels to senior management as needed
  • Analyze and draft reservation of rights letters as appropriate and communicates complex coverage positions effectively
  • Ability to effectively manage a senior claims desk comprising complex litigated state and federal claims
  • Independently investigate each claim through prompt and strategic contact with appropriate parties including insureds, claimants, counsel and technical experts to determine opportunity for risk transfer and potential exposure
  • Working knowledge of federal and state court processes and procedures
  • Proven ability to effectively negotiate claims, resulting in cost-effective resolutions
  • Participation in virtual and in-person claim reviews, settlement conferences, and mediations
  • Excellent oral and written communication and sound decision-making skills
  • Ability to present claims at internal roundtable discussions and Advisory Committee meetings
  • Strong time management skills and timely responses to external communications

YOU'LL ALSO NEED THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES:

  • 10+ years experience handling high-exposure, complex liability claims
  • JD degree preferred
  • Public entity claims handling experience is a plus
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Analyzing claim documentation and legal filings
  • Drafting coverage letters
  • Strategizing early settlement opportunities
  • Strong litigation management skills and ability to direct defense counsel
  • Virtual and in-person attendance at mediations and settlement conferences
  • Proven track record of negotiation and cost-effective settlements
  • Assessing exposures and adequacy of claim reserves
  • Reporting severe, high-exposure claims to CIRMA's reinsurer based on applicable Reinsurer Reportable Guidelines

CIRMA'S PHILOSOPHY IS TO PROVIDE EXEMPLARY COMPENSATION PACKAGES TO ITS EMPLOYEES. WE OFFER COMPETITIVE SALARIES AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT PACKAGES, INCLUDING:

Diverse and inclusive culture.

Paid health, dental, life, vision and long-term disability insurance plans-some of the most competitive plans in the market.

Flexible schedules and healthy work/life balance-these are not just trendy buzz words at CIRMA.

Generous 401 pension plan without employee contributions-we invest in you and your future.

Paid vacation and holiday time / Tuition reimbursement / Employer-paid staff develop & training programs-again, we care for and invest in one of our most valuable assets-our employees.


Please send your resume and cover letter to . EOE.

Date Posted: 02 May 2025
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