Karen Hilton
Utica,NY
Summary
Dedicated Litigation Management professional with history of meeting company goals utilizing consistent and organized legal bill review practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational brand.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Staff Attorney
Utica National Insurance
Utica, United States
03.2001 - Current
- Internal Oversight: Reviews and audits examiner compliance with established litigation management protocols and procedures. Provides direction and feedback to examiners and leadership.
- Screen and Appoint New Defense Counsel: Consult with various resources to locate potential counsel for Company approved list. Screen possible counsel and research firm expertise to determine if they are a suitable business partner.
- Evaluate Defense Firms: Evaluate current firms through firm visits, file audits, bill audits, and soliciting feedback from examiners and leaders. Focus on quality, cost-effectiveness, and goal-oriented strategy communication.
- Communication with Defense Firms: Maintain open lines of communication with defense firms and provide feedback on their performance. Negotiate billing rates and approach firms for billing issues as appropriate.
- Address Issues With Billing: Conduct review of 7200 legal bills each year to ensure compliance with Company Defense Guidelines to ensure that expense authority and next steps are in place. Any billing concerns are discussed directly with counsel.
- Internal Communication with Claims Leadership: Identify and address areas for individual coaching or company training needs within claims, focusing on sound litigation management and attorney direction. Recommend procedures to support good litigation management and examiner/counsel partnership.
- Review and approve rate increase requests for panel counsel
Claims Specialist
Utica National Insurance
Utica, United States
09.2000 - 03.2001
- Followed up with insured on unresolved issues.
- Conducted full claim investigations and reported updates and legal actions.
- Reviewed new files to determine current status of claim and to develop plan of action.
- Escalated files with significant indemnity exposure to claim's supervisor for further investigation.
- Utilized appropriate cost containment techniques to reduce overall claim costs.
- Conducted full claim investigations and reported updates and legal actions
Education
J.D. - Law
Albany Law School
Albany, NY05.1988
Skills
- Establishing Effective Relationships
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Training Programs
- Billing Dispute Resolution
- Billing Systems and Software
- Cost Tracking
- Audit Procedures
- Productivity Benchmarks
- Compliance Requirements
Timeline
Senior Staff Attorney
Utica National Insurance
03.2001 - Current
Claims Specialist
Utica National Insurance
09.2000 - 03.2001
J.D. - Law
Albany Law School
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