Litigation Manager

Litigation Manager

Hybrid Work Schedule

Buffalo, NY

Merchants Insurance Group, is a leading Property and Casualty Insurer in the Northeast, and is looking for a Litigation Manager to join our growing Claims Legal Team in our Corporate Headquarters located in Buffalo, New York.

The Litigation Manager will become part of dedicated management team focusing on leading and mentoring a team of talented claims professionals handling a portfolio of complex and high exposure litigated claims involving complex liability and damage issues. The Litigation Manager provides direction and training to the Claims Department’s Litigation Unit with the objectives of minimizing the indemnity and expense impact to the Company in accordance with the Claim Department and Corporate goals.

Merchants Insurance Group, rated A- (Excellent) with a positive outlook by the A.M. Best Company, is proud to be one of Buffalo Business First’s Best Places to Work in Western New York (2023, 2024), a Fast Track company (2019-2024), and a Top Private Company (2019-2024). Merchants has been granted Ward’s 50 designation as a top-performing property-casualty insurance company for four consecutive years. In October 2024, Newsweek and Statista included Merchants Insurance Group on their first-ever America’s Most Reliable Companies list, which highlights organizations that other companies can feel confident doing business with in 2025. Of 1,500 B2B companies evaluated, Merchants was one of only 300 companies to make the list.

Merchants offers its colleagues a Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule requires 8 days per month in the office, with the option to work the remaining days at home or in the office. This exciting Hybrid Work benefit offers colleagues a flexible work schedule with the ability to remain connected with their Merchants team and colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supervision of adjusters’ claim handling activities on litigated claims through disposition, extending appropriate settlement authority, engaging in settlement negotiations, providing instruction and guidance on liability and damages analysis as well as coverage analysis.
• Responsible for the continued training and development of the litigation team through informal knowledge transfer and formal training activities.
• Responsible for assisting in the direction of the Claims Department's Litigation Unit with the objectives of minimizing the indemnity and expense impact to the Company in accordance with the Claim Department and Corporate goals. This includes ensuring accurate case reserve levels, equitable claim settlements, expense control and discharge of policy-holders liabilities in a timely and efficient fashion.
• Responsible for staying current in case law development as well as statutory and regulatory changes impacting liability claims or coverage interpretation and serving as a training and information resource for casualty and litigation claim representatives.
• Oversees and manages outside panel defense counsel across multiple states and lines of business. This includes evaluation of law firm performance, establishing rates and metric goals, and conducting law firm audits.

Qualifications & Skills

• Qualified candidates will have a 4 year degree or equivalent work related experience.
• 5 years’ casualty and litigation claims management experience as well as experience handling high exposure multi-line claims and including direct management of claim professionals.
• Prior experience handling commercial auto claims is required.
• New York Labor Law, construction defect and/or third-party property damage claims experience a plus.
• Candidates with a JD and insurance defense experience looking for a new career path are encouraged to apply.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Strong knowledge of casualty claims, litigation and State regulations.
• Ability to oversee and manage defense counsel, select and retain appropriate experts and develop appropriate resolution strategies.
• Professional designations or working towards industry specific designations are a plus.
• Exceptional organization, negotiation, verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office to include Excel and Word.

Merchants Insurance Group Pay information:

Merchants Insurance Group offers a competitive pay scale. The actual compensation will be determined based upon experience and other factors permitted by law. The pay range for this position is $100,000 – $130,000.

Merchants Insurance Group Benefits:

• Welcoming and positive work environment.
• Colleague Appreciation events.
• Flexible work arrangements, including flex scheduling and summer hours.
• Hybrid work schedule. The Hybrid work schedule will require 8 full days per month in the office, with the option to work the remaining days per month at home or in the office.
• Competitive pay scale.
• Generous paid time off package.
• Full Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, 401(k) employer match amount is 100% up to 6% of your annual contributions. You are immediately 100% vested in the employer match dollars.
• Outstanding company bonus program.
• Tuition Reimbursement.

And many more exciting company benefits!! EOE

Experience

• 5 year(s): 5 years’ casualty and litigation claims management experience as well as experience handling high exposure multi-line claims and including direct management of claim professionals.