Claims Manager, Complex Liability (JD Required)

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies•Scottsdale, AZ

2d•$115,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Good Things Start Here. Good things are happening at Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies—an A+ (Superior) rated, nationwide Property & Casualty insurer backed by Berkshire Hathaway. With supportive leadership, collaborative teams, and opportunities to grow, GUARD is a place where people build meaningful, long‑term careers. Good Things You Can Count On. Hybrid schedule: 2 days remote / 3 in‑office Predictable hours (no nights, weekends, or holidays) Competitive pay + generous PTO Medical, dental & vision starting day one 401(k), tuition reimbursement & longevity bonuses Responsibilities The Claims Manager will provide leadership and oversight in the Complex Liability Claims Unit, with a primary focus on California‑based claims. This role is responsible for ensuring consistent, compliant, and financially sound claim outcomes across a complex, highly litigated portfolio within one of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country. As a key leader within the claims organization, this position partners closely with internal stakeholders to manage severity, reserving discipline, litigation strategy, and regulatory compliance, while developing a high‑performing team aligned with carrier best practices and business objectives.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) required.
Demonstrated experience supervising and managing complex, litigated liability claims within a carrier or similar claims organization.
Deep working knowledge of California liability law, litigation practices, and regulatory compliance.
Proven ability to evaluate legal exposure, manage high‑severity California claim portfolios, and drive sound financial outcomes.
Experience partnering with Actuarial, Underwriting, and Legal teams on reserving strategy, litigation approach, and portfolio performance.
Strong leadership and talent‑development capabilities within a structured claims environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present legal and claim analysis to executive‑level audiences.
Strong analytical, organizational, and technical skills with a disciplined, detail‑oriented approach to litigation management.
Ability to balance legal judgment, operational discipline, and business objectives in a fast‑paced claims environment.

Responsibilities

Lead, manage, and develop a team of claims professionals handling Complex Liability claims nationwide, with a significant concentration of California exposure.
Provide advanced technical and legal oversight on California litigated claims, ensuring alignment with carrier guidelines, risk appetite, and severity management objectives.
Review, analyze, and approve claim reserves to ensure accuracy, consistency, and actuarial integrity, with particular attention to California loss drivers and litigation exposure.
Ensure claim files reflect timely investigation, sound legal evaluation, and well‑documented decision‑making in compliance with California statutory, regulatory, and case law requirements.
Partner closely with California panel counsel to establish litigation strategies, evaluate liability and damages, manage budgets, and drive disciplined resolution practices.
Attend and participate in mediations, trials, and settlement conferences, as needed, to support resolution strategy and mitigate legal and financial risk.
Conduct regular file audits focused on legal compliance, documentation quality, reserving practices, and adherence to carrier standards.
Develop and implement training initiatives to strengthen the team’s California legal expertise, litigation analysis, and judgment.
Collaborate with Underwriting, Legal, SIU, Actuarial, and Finance partners to support portfolio performance, loss trend analysis, and enterprise risk management.
Prepare and deliver reporting on California claim trends, KPIs, severity drivers, litigation outcomes, and operational metrics to senior leadership.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost containment, defensible claim outcomes, and service excellence.
Manage and evaluate preferred vendors, including California defense counsel, independent adjusters, and other service providers, ensuring performance, accountability, and cost control.