From middle market to Fortune 500 companies, Berkley Custom’s team is committed to providing excellent service and a consistent approach to meet the needs of their brokers and their customers, bringing specific expertise in excess casualty as well as a variety of targeted primary and excess programs.  

They seek to outperform competitors with focus and deep understanding of their client’s priorities and by developing creative risk solutions to meet their long-term needs. Their key differentiators include the following:

EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIPS – Berkley Custom works exclusively the wholesale brokerage community as well as their program partners, and continually builds upon long established relationships with a passion for superior service for their appointed producers.

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS – Berkley Custom attracts and retains professionals with significant experience in their field, many with over 25 years in the business. Their culture values and promotes deep industry knowledge, integrity, excellence, and respect.

LONG-TERM APPROACH TO ACCOUNTS – Berkley Custom continually seeks partners for the long term who share their values and risk management discipline.

Long-term relationships have been their management’s trademark in over 30 years of serving customers in the E&S and Program marketplace. Their team is dedicated to serving the varied casualty exposure needs of their brokers and their customers. By truly understanding risk exposures in a constantly changing global environment, they can better work with you to keep risk placement recommendations current and responsive.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

The AVP, Claims Coverage Counsel is responsible for analyzing claim facts and policy provisions to advise claim adjusters and management regarding applicability of coverage under CGL, CPL, PL (E&O) and Environmental Impairment Policies.  Key functions include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring thorough coverage investigations and timely issuance of coverage positions letters, as appropriate.
• Collaborating with claim adjusters and provide advice regarding coverage investigations.
• Providing guidance to claim adjusters and management regarding coverage obligations involving complex claims and multiple coverages.
• Drafting coverage position letters, coverage disclaimers, and responses to tenders.
• Advising underwriting manager and program manager regarding policy language and emerging trends.
• Investigating instances wherein insureds have potentially misstated or misrepresented information in insurance applications, review underwriting files as necessary, and advise management accordingly.
• Coordinating with outside coverage counsel to ensure effective coverage litigation; review opinions and research provided by counsel, and advise management accordingly.
• Preparing memorandums advising of significant coverage issues and concerns pertaining to specific claims and emerging trends.
• Participating in regular calls, roundtables and conferences on the program.

• Juris Doctorate degree required
• 10+ years of experience as coverage attorney or claims coverage counsel, including experience performing legal research, analyzing applicable law and policy provisions.
• Experience dealing with primary claims under CGL policies; experience on environmental coverages including environmental impairment, contractors pollution liability and professional liability coverage strongly preferred; experience on excess coverage preferred.
• Must demonstrate in- depth knowledge of coverage, including coverage investigation and evaluation, with a focus on developing/executing resolution strategies.
• Litigation experience preferred
• Must demonstrate excellent reasoning, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proper attorney and/or adjuster licensing preferred.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.