Overview
A well-established commercial lines property and casualty insurer is seeking a Legal Audit Counsel to join their Legal Management Services department. This role focuses on validating legal bill charges using attorney guidelines and industry standards through an electronic billing system. The position supports multiple independent operating units within the organization.
Responsibilities
- Audit submitted legal fee and expense invoices promptly and accurately according to litigation and billing guidelines.
- Conduct detailed line-by-line invoice reviews to ensure accuracy, reasonableness, and compliance with agreed fee structures.
- Identify and group tasks to evaluate case progression from start to closure.
- Communicate with law firms and claims staff to assess the reasonableness of time spent on tasks.
- Detect billing discrepancies based on litigation guidelines, industry standards, and litigation history; reduce invoices accordingly.
- Educate attorneys and claims staff on invoice reductions, bill review processes, and compliance requirements.
- Collaborate with claim managers, adjusters, and attorneys to resolve billing discrepancies and determine appropriate actions.
- Develop and maintain expertise in legal necessity for insurance defense and coverage-related law firm work.
- Make sound decisions and negotiate resolutions for billing issues or disputes.
- Review claim files and documents to understand claim strategies and apply insights during bill review.
- Serve as a technical resource for appeal oversight and discretionary reviews.
- Participate in team calibration and consultation sessions.
- Work closely with claims departments to enhance litigation cost control.
- Provide consultation and training on legal bill review best practices to claim professionals and stakeholders.
- Foster compliance with retention and billing policies by building trusted partnerships with law firms.
- Contribute to identifying improvements and innovative opportunities within the team.
Qualifications
Skills and Competencies
- Minimum of 5 years' experience with litigation and legal billing practices, including knowledge of civil court rules, procedures, and state and federal court systems.
- At least 3 years of legal bill review experience across multiple lines of business and varying billing complexities.
- Proficiency with eBilling platforms such as Bottomline’s LegalX and Legal Exchange.
- Experience using AI-enabled legal billing and analytics tools to support accurate bill review and identify irregularities.
- Ability to analyze AI-generated insights and apply legal judgment to validate billing exceptions and cost trends.
- Strong skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe PDF.
- Excellent technical aptitude and adaptability to new systems.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional organizational skills with high accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong legal judgment and decision-making capabilities.
- Strategic thinker leveraging data and technology to optimize legal spend.
- Professional demeanor with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity.
- Collaborative team player able to work with minimal supervision.
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree in good standing.
Location and Travel
- Primary location: Urbandale, IA.
- Additional locations include Jacksonville, FL; Irving, TX; Glen Allen, VA; West Hartford, CT; Atlanta, GA; Chesterfield, MO; Scottsdale, AZ.
- Minimal travel required.
- Remote work opportunity available.
Additional Information
- Sponsorship is not offered for this role.