Zurich Insurance Group is undergoing a reorganization that will align the life and non-life business units geographically. The goal is to minimize the cost of sales within a region and facilitate the sale of additional coverage lines to business and individual clients. Zurich panel counsel members will want to take note. Management teams will be […]
How to Become EPLI Panel Counsel
EPLI coverage often represents a dilemma for employment defense attorneys that want to become EPLI panel counsel. When an employer client has a claim that becomes subject to an employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) policy, the law firm may discover that they are not able to represent their client in pre-suit or litigation matters. This […]
More GCs Use RFPs to Hire Law Firms
The Request for Proposal (RFP) process is gaining strength as a means for in-house corporate counsel to look for new law firms or procure routine legal services. As the corporate mentality of doing ‘more with less’ spills into the legal realm, the RFP has laid the groundwork for increasing competition in an already competitive legal […]
Wearable Tech & Workers’ Comp
Workers’ compensation insurers are applauding wearable tech initiatives as a potential way to monitor and reduce workplace accidents and injuries. But some observers are asking, at what cost to privacy? Insurance organization American International Group, Inc. (AIG) recently announced its strategic investment in tech startup Human Condition Safety (HCS). The firm, which is a spin-out […]
Request for Proposal (RFP) Tips
Law firm proposals are becoming an increasingly important means of obtaining new business in today’s competitive world. A “Request for Proposal” (RFP) is frequently the triggering event, and can be issued by a municipality, corporate general counsel, insurance carrier, or a self-insured entity like a retailer or big box store. While every law firm proposal […]
ACE Acquisition of Chubb Moves Forward
“The combination of ACE and Chubb will create a global leader in commercial and personal property and casualty (P&C) insurance with enhanced growth and earning power,” according to an ACE news release. ACE shareholders approved the $28.3 billion acquisition of Chubb in an October 22 shareholders meeting. Following the transaction, the combined entity will become […]
P&C Defense Costs Targeted by Claims Executives
The LexisNexis® Property & Casualty Claims and Litigation Cost Containment Survey, released this month, reports that the leading cost management initiatives being pursued by claims executives are: Early case assessment and litigation prevention Reducing legal defense costs Vendor management Bill review systems Litigation management spending on outside law firms is expected to remain steady among […]
How One GC Hires Outside Counsel
Law firms seeking to do business with Northwestern Mutual will want to note what GC Ray Manista considers to be three important qualities: Be a team player Be flexible during the representation Don’t surprise us with your legal bills In a recent BNA article titled, “What Northwestern Mutual’s GC Looks For in a Law Firm,” […]
EPLI Claims May Include Independent Contractor Status Disputes
Insurance defense law firms with a focus on employment practices and EPLI claims may find an increasing number of disputes relating to independent contractor status. According to a 2014 report written by the Freelancers Union and Elance-oDesk Inc., an online marketplace for freelance work, over one-third of the labor force, or almost 53 million Americans, […]
