LISA M. JENNINGS
Aurora
Summary
Solution focused legal professional with expertise in surety, construction contracts and insurance law. Leader of high-performance claim teams and claim operations including development of policies and procedures and conversion to new claim systems. Direct claim handler of complex contract & commercial surety claims.
Dedicated executive committed to accepting and addressing challenges by embracing change and implementing improvements. Proven history of developing strategic initiatives, providing project management and offering results-focused interactions to foster growth. Adept at monitoring actions plans and initiatives to ensure alignment with corporate objectives. Offering several years of expertise in the field settings to fulfill a professional role.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Vice President - Surety Claims
Old Republic Surety Company
2024.11 - 2026.04
- Direct claim handling of performance and payment bond claims including SBA, credit-risk bonds and large, complex performance bond defaults.
- Provides mentorship and support to entire department including commercial claim supervisor and new employees.
- Provide guidance to employees on the use of electronic claim file systems as ORS is in the midst of a claim file and claim system conversion.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across departments.
Assistant Vice President - Surety Claims
Argonaut Insurance Company
2023.06 - 2024.11
- Direct claim handling of contract and commercial surety bond claims.
- Provide legal support to Underwriting ad hoc basis.
- Drafted Collateral Security Documents, Retention, Subordination and similar agreements for Underwriting.
- Reviewed and approved changes to General Indemnity Agreement; Review and approve release of collateral.
- Resigned due to Argonaut leaving the surety bond market.
Assistant Vice President - Surety Claims
Sompo International
2019.09 - 2023.05
- Performance/operation management of the Mt. Juliet Surety claim team consisting of 5 claim handlers and 2 claim assistants.
- Oversee claim triage - new claim set up and assignment to claim handler.
- Prepare Large Loss Reports to ensure timely reporting of claim development and reserves.
- Oversee compliance with claim procedures, audit, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and implement improvements in claim handling best practices.
- Manage the salvage recovery process and vendors.
- Manage the US Custom bond program with Key Business Partner.
- Provide claim legal support to claim staff and underwriting.
- Draft/review takeover, completion, tender and settlement agreements, releases.
- Create and maintain an online law resource library for SBU.
- Draft/modify bond forms to support business need.
- Review Non-Disclosure Agreements and make changes thereto.
- Track/submit to Sompo Legal proposed changes to General Agreements of Indemnity.
- Assist in the training/development of new underwriters and underwriter trainees.
Consultant/Account Manager
The Fedeli Group
2017.02 - 2019.09
- Issue bid/final bonds on a $12,000,000 surety book of business.
- Handle all new and existing commercial bond needs of agency P&C accounts.
- Conduct general and legal research as requested.
- Manuscript special bonds.
- Handle SBA Bond Accounts.
Development Contract Manager
Associated Estates Realty Corporation
2012.11 - 2015.05
- Manage the design contract process for architectural, professional service, early start, and other pre-construction agreements for regional development projects. Negotiate key terms and conditions and ensure boilerplate and special conditions are included. Manage contractual insurance specifications requirements.
- Assist General Counsel in the placement of adequate Builder's Risk, OCIP, and CPL coverage for development projects. Provide legal support to Associate General Counsel of Development.
- Perform diverse legal research for AGC Operations relating to the ownership and operation of Class-A Multi-family housing. Collaborate with property managers on a variety of local permits and business license compliance.
- Provide legal services to regional service managers on contract language, lien waivers and dispute resolution. Approve variances to boilerplate COI requirements for accounting. Draft statutory lien releases. Draft specialized contracts and provide legal commentary on vendor required contract documents (cable, utility).
- Oversee TPA handling of self-retained premises liability claims. Perform quarterly updates for financial reporting. Draft appropriate Releases and Settlement Agreements.
Assistant Vice President
CNA Surety Claims
Sioux Falls
2003.10 - 2010.07
- Provided operational, technical and strategic leadership to a national high-volume commercial surety claim operation. Hired, trained, cross-trained and developed a claim staff of 14 including 2 claim attorneys and 2 claim managers.
- Reduced regulatory and audit exposure by standardization, performance management, and creation of an on-line legal library.
- Introduced new paperless workflow and implementation of a new front-end claim system during a material increase (2007-2010) in claim activity without disruption in customer service and claim handling guidelines.
- Directly handled severe, fraudulent and bad faith claims.
- Provide ad hoc claim/legal support to Underwriting and participated in enterprise new employee training presentations.
- Ensure Audit, Sox and Claim Regulation Compliance; Oversight of panel counsel including negotiation of rates and major terms and conditions.
- Sioux Falls, SD
Director of Claims
CNA Surety
Chicago
1998.01 - 2003.10
- Provided leadership to a national claim team on performance & payment, commercial and small/specialty contract bond claims. Directly handed large and complex surety claims.
- Delivered claim operation solutions to issues raised by the acquisition and spin-off of CNA Surety. Developed workflow initiatives that increased efficiency and productivity.
- Promoted to lead the transition of the small commercial surety unit from Chicago back to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Relocated to Sioux Falls in April of 2004.
- Chicago, Il
Senior Claims Counsel
CNA Insurance Cos.
Chicago
1993.06 - 1998.01
- National surety claim counsel that handled performance and payment bond claims for many distinguished construction firms. Established successful relationships with Contractors and Agents to ensure prompt claim resolution.
- Conducted factual investigation of all claims. Draft takeover, third party and completion agreements in accordance with a performing surety under federal and state bonds. Pursue claims against indemnitor(s), Owners and third parties to reduce loss.
- Ensured timely reporting of reserves to Senior Claim Management. Discussed trends and complex claim issues with HO and Branch Underwriting Teams. Provided legal review of construction contracts and related documents.
- Developed new claim workflow procedures to ensure integration of claims resulting from the acquisition of the Continental Insurance Company.
- Chicago, Il
Education
Licensed Attorney - Ohio and Illinois
J.D. - Law
Case Western Reserve School of Law
B. A - Political Science
University of Dayton
AFSB -
Insurance Institute of America
CPCU -
Insurance Institute of America
Continuing Education
Licensed Claim Adjuster -
Skills
- Legal research
- Contract negotiation
- Claim management
- Regulatory compliance
- Team leadership
- Communication skills
- Risk assessment
- Problem resolution
- Hiring and coaching
- Risk management
- Staff management
- Process management oversight
- Recruiting and hiring
- Operations management
- Contract management
- Effective relationship building
- Reporting, meeting minutes, records management
- Decision making & judgment
- Department policies & procedure implementation
- Negotiation
- Corporate presentations
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Public speaking
- Financial analysis and planning
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Talent development
- Innovation management
- Documentation and reporting
- Written communication
- Problem-solving
- Self motivation
Certification
- AFSB - Insurance Institute of America
- 8 of 10 CPCU - Insurance Institute of America
- CLE/CE Continuing Education
- Licensed Claim Adjuster
- Licensed Ohio and Illinois Attorney (presently inactive status)
Timeline
Assistant Vice President - Surety Claims
Old Republic Surety Company
2024.11 - 2026.04
Assistant Vice President - Surety Claims
Argonaut Insurance Company
2023.06 - 2024.11
Assistant Vice President - Surety Claims
Sompo International
2019.09 - 2023.05
Consultant/Account Manager
The Fedeli Group
2017.02 - 2019.09
Development Contract Manager
Associated Estates Realty Corporation
2012.11 - 2015.05
Assistant Vice President
CNA Surety Claims
2003.10 - 2010.07
Director of Claims
CNA Surety
1998.01 - 2003.10
Senior Claims Counsel
CNA Insurance Cos.
1993.06 - 1998.01
Licensed Attorney - Ohio and Illinois
J.D. - Law
Case Western Reserve School of Law
B. A - Political Science
University of Dayton
AFSB -
Insurance Institute of America
CPCU -
Insurance Institute of America