Senior Claims Counsel - Insurance

Title: Senior Claims Counsel - Insurance

Location: Santa Ana, CA

Full time

job requisition id

R057098

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for eleven consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. 

What We Do

Tired of those billable hour requirements? Not interested in business development and would rather focus on providing solutions to your cases? Want to be the decision maker rather than just an advisor? Want better work-life balance? Ready for a change with an in-house opportunity?

The Senior Claims Counsel position with First American Title Insurance Company provides an excellent opportunity for counsel to engage in complex legal analysis, craft creative solutions to difficult problems, manage their own caseload, oversee outside litigation counsel, and engage in high-level problem solving, negotiation and legal analysis in a stimulating and collegial environment with an opportunity for long-term growth and advancement.

Senior Claims Counsel are responsible for managing all aspects of title insurance and escrow claims and claims against the company from initial investigation, coverage determination through final resolution.

The Senior Claims Counsel role offers a dynamic in-house opportunity for an experienced attorney seeking meaningful, complex work. This position requires someone who demonstrates strong initiative, exercises sound judgment, makes informed independent decisions, and thrives in a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate brings excellent analytical and legal skills, along with experience navigating complex legal matters.

What You'll Do:

• Investigate the facts and issues of the claim, determine whether coverage exists, evaluate loss under the title policy, assess defenses for the insured and/or the company, determine need to retain outside counsel, develop and carry out a plan to address the claim and manage the claim and/or litigation through to final resolution 
• Negotiate settlements and resolutions with claimant / opposing counsel / third parties
• Appear as company representative in court proceedings, mediations, settlement conferences and trials
• Manage claim budget, review and approve outside counsel invoices and other expenses and determine settlement and expense reserves
• Direct outside counsel on litigation strategy through the course of claim administration and litigation
• Identify and pursue sources for recovery

What You'll Bring:

• 12+ years of experience with emphasis on real estate matters (title/ownership of real property, liens/easements/encumbrances, escrow, etc.) insurance coverage, including some litigation, mediation, and arbitration experience
• Specific expertise with title insurance, escrow and lender matters highly desirable
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation and organizational skills
• Law Degree required
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in any state of the United States
• Ability to develop, evaluate and implement resolution strategies to fully conclude a claim
• Experience handling claims and insurance coverage
• Ability to work independently and to exhibit originality and ingenuity is required

This role is open to remote candidates across the U.S. However, employees who live within commuting distance of our Santa Ana office are expected to work in a hybrid capacity.

Pay Range: $129,300.00 - $172,300.00 Annually

This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

** Note that the following statements only apply to candidates who will be working from an unincorporated area within Los Angeles County. **

First American will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws (e.g., the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act).

First American intends to conduct a review of an applicant’s criminal history in connection with a conditional offer. First American reasonably believes that a criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following material job duties for this position potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: handling of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to First American or its customers, administrating or facilitating financial transactions, and the ability to meet customer-imposed criminal history requirements.

What We Offer

By choice, we don’t simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First culture is inclusive for all employees - not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.