Ana Cothren
Summary
Senior Litigation Manager for the past 14 years with significant experience in mentoring new Litigation Managers, negotiating large value losses, reducing expenses and meeting the company's goals. I assisted in onboarding Addison Mugo, the new outside Director of Litigation in 2019. I assisted in training of the systems and the company's processes. I often acted as his back up in his absence, providing feedback and monetary authority for the other people in the unit.
I am currently called upon to provide similar guidance to my existing unit.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Litigation Manager
USAA Insurance
San Antonio, TX
03.2014 - Current
- Manage a pending of high value files along with managing internal and external expenses, providing guidance to less experienced Sr. Lit Managers and Lit Managers within the existing unit or sister units.
- Facilitated settlement conferences effectively whether with assistance of defense counsel or direct handling.
- Increased success rates of the companies goals whether it was by accomplishing a closing ratio, reduction of cycle time, file audits, member contact and satisfaction, and building relationships with staff counsel.
- Routinely assist coworkers that are out of the office by evaluating files and granting settlement authority to bring files to conclusion.
- Work with both panel counsel and staff counsel on protocol, training, presentation and developing process to have all parties succeed and minimizing the risk to protect the member and the Association.
- Negotiated settlements with opposing counsel.
- Mentored Litigation Managers in file documentation, strategy, evaluations and negotiating.
- Review news cases coming to the unit and providing guidance to the assigned Lit Manager.
- Provide a safe haven to team members to express their concerns or how to deal with specific situations.
- Improved Home Office team relations by making a presence in the office every few months to assist the Home Office Lit Manager with any issues they may have.
- Provide effective member relationships through providing updates every 4 - 5 months, rather than the 6 month standard.
- Managed complex caseloads efficiently even when I worked another Sr. Desk for 4 months; all while still being in the rotation for news cases.
Litigation Manager
USAA
San Antonio, TX
06.2008 - 03.2014
- Handled all 12 NE states including MI for both Auto liability and Homeowners Section II.
- Attended MI trial, as company expert.
Examiner
USAA
San Antonio, TX
08.2005 - 06.2008
- Developed a house call for both New Jersey and Michigan junior examiners and bodily injury adjusters to provide a base line on how to effectively investigate claims.
- Managed to efficiently meet the company's requirements and obtained high performance evaluations.
Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster
USAA
San Antonio, TX
06.2000 - 08.2005
- Negotiated cases and handled settlements with attorneys, claimants and third party vendors.
- Interviewed policyholders, witnesses and third parties to gather information and details regarding accident facts and injuries.
- Managed high call volumes on the phone rotary system while managing an active pending.
- Routinely assisted coworkers with Spanish speaking parties.
Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster
Hartford Insurance Group
San Antonio, TX
11.1997 - 06.2000
- Handled both attorney represented and non-represented parties for auto accidents.
Education
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TXSkills
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Settlement Negotiations
- Creative and Critical Thinking
- Policy Knowledge
- Team Supervision
- Building Trust and Relationships
- Settlement Negotiation
- Mentoring and Coaching
- File Management
Timeline
Senior Litigation Manager
USAA Insurance
03.2014 - Current
Litigation Manager
USAA
06.2008 - 03.2014
Examiner
USAA
08.2005 - 06.2008
Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster
USAA
06.2000 - 08.2005
Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster
Hartford Insurance Group
11.1997 - 06.2000
University of Texas At Austin