A mandatory arbitration clause in a Waffle House employment contract prevented a New Orleans employee from pursuing claims against her employer for discrimination and harassment, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. The employee’s contract prevented her from filing claims in civil court, and, instead, required her to settle any employment-related claims through arbitration. […]
AIG to Acquire Validus
AIG plans to acquire Validus in a $5.56 billion transaction. AIG foresees benefits from an expanded reinsurance platform, a significant presence in the Lloyd’s market, as well as market share in the U.S. crop and excess and surplus (E&S) markets. Validus Holdings, Ltd. offers reinsurance, insurance, and asset management services. Validus maintains a worldwide presence […]
10 Steps to 2018 Legal Marketing Success
Here are 10 steps to help a managing partner or practice area chair connect with litigation panel managers at insurance companies and self-insured entities in 2018. Legal marketing for insurance defense law firms is a process, not an event. Slow but steady wins the race for new business development. 1. Have a Marketing Plan Think […]
General Counsel Seek Innovative Solutions
Law firms should be more proactive in pitching for work, according to corporate general counsel interviewed for an October 30, 2017 article in The American Lawyer. GCs would like to see their outside law firms show more initiative when it comes to adopting innovative solutions, including proposals for adding value to the legal process. Outside […]
Hurricane Irma Claims as of October 20
Policyholders have filed a total of 772,934 Hurricane Irma claims as of October 20, six weeks after the storm left millions in the Sunshine State with a major clean-up and restoration effort. Areas such as the Florida Keys, where the structural damage was extensive, are likely to have the longest road to recovery. According to […]
Trucking Panel Counsel Campaigns
Motor carriers, shippers, and logistics companies often maintain a self-insured retention (SIR) program to cover a certain level of losses prior to coverage by a primary or excess insurance policy. Many of these self-insured entities maintain their own panel counsel program of defense law firms that are experienced in the area of trucking and transportation […]
AIG Panel Counsel Impact of CEO Change
AIG is under new leadership following Brian Duperreault’s appointment as president, CEO and director on May 14, 2017. Peter D. Hancock, who formerly held the positions, resigned concurrently. AIG panel counsel members will want to stay tuned to news from the global P&C insurer, as it continues to streamline operations and improve profitability. Mr. Duperreault […]
Meet Your Robotics Claims Adjuster
Zurich is testing robots to speed up claims processing, according to a Reuters news story. The global insurer is applying artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate personal injury claims, the bread and butter business for many Zurich panel counsel law firms. Pilot tests of AI software systems have reduced the processing time for personal injury claims […]
Trucking Giants Knight & Swift to Merge
Knight Transportation, Inc. and Swift Transportation Company plan to merge, according to an April 10 announcement by the two publicly held companies. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., the name of the new entity, will represent the industry’s largest full truckload company. The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter of 2017, and is likely […]
Restaurant Liability & Meal Delivery
Panera recently announced that it expects to add more than 10,000 new in-cafe and delivery driver jobs system-wide as it expands delivery service to 35-40 percent of its cafes by year end 2017. Panera is hiring its own drivers in company-owned and franchised markets across the country. These in-house drivers will have daytime hours and […]
