At Browne Jacobson, we’ve always worked across business and society, and this expertise sets us apart. Social and environmental impact are at the top of our business agenda. We champion fairness, make the complex simple and forge connections between clients to find creative solutions. This is how we improve outcomes for every person, community and business we serve.

With offices in Birmingham, Dublin, Exeter, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Cardiff, we’re a UK & I based law firm with an international reach. Our sectors include: health; real estate and construction; education; energy and infrastructure; financial services; government; insurance; manufacturing and industrials; and retail, consumer and logistics.

We nurture talent at all levels and from every background and celebrate what makes people individuals. Law needs all voices to reflect the society it serves and we’re working towards social mobility, diversity and inclusion in our firm - and our profession. We strive to create meaningful personal and professional development opportunities and offer flexible working in support of a good work-life balance. We focus on wellbeing and individuality, so that all our people can thrive.

Why is this role important and how does it fit into the team, department and wider firm?

The role is within the firm’s Financial & Professional Risks (FPR) team, which acts for insurers, brokers and other insurance sector clients. The team is ranked Tier 1 in the region and has a national profile for its defendant professional negligence practice.

There are two roles within FPR’s insurance policy drafting team, the delegated authority claims handling team and the wider FPR team. This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a successful and ambitious team which works on a range of insurance issues, including policy drafting, coverage disputes and the defence of insured professional indemnity claims.

The post requires the candidate to develop good working relationships across the FPR team and with colleagues from the firm's other practice areas.

What does the role actually involve?

• Investigating the nature of the professional liability or property damage claim, determining insurance policy coverage and setting strategy for resolution and insurer’s “reserves” based on the most likely outcome
• Liaising closely with policyholders and their insurance brokers in accordance with our insurer client’s brand values in order to forge strong commercial relationships
• Keeping the policyholder and broker informed both orally and in writing of the status of the claim
• Managing a caseload of claims (pre-litigated)

• Day-to-day monitoring of the wordings team e-mail accounts and telephone lines, actioning all incoming e-mails and calls as appropriate and in accordance with client SLAs
• Maintaining all management information in accordance with clients’ requirements
• Primary responsibility for first drafts of insurance policy endorsements referred to us under our outsourced endorsement drafting scheme (and any similar schemes)
• Drafting policy upgrades and amendments, including repeat amendments to multiple policies
• Reviewing and proof-reading policies to help maintain high levels of quality
• Drafting policy summaries, wording comparisons, and similar documents
• Assisting with the promotion of our policy drafting products and services, including drafting articles, promotional literature and arranging client events
• Liaising with underwriters and clients, as appropriate
• Undertaking legal research
• Undertaking any other duties as required, commensurate with the level of the post

What technical skills are required for someone to be successful and enjoy the role?

• Previous experience of defending insurance claims and/or handling pre-litigated matters would be an advantage but is not essential

• Good familiarity with Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and case management systems
• Familiarity with online and library research facilities

Who would be a good fit for this role?

As part of the FPR team, you would be expected to have the following skills and experience:

• The ability to work efficiently and methodically to effectively manage your workload
• Impeccable attention to deal
• Excellent organisational skills and be able to manage own time effectively
• A proactive, professional, and flexible approach to work