Dir Strategic Coverage Counsel

CNA Insurance • Chicago, IL

3d • $97,000 - $189,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

CNA's Claims Legal team is seeking an experienced coverage attorney to join the Claims Counsel Group. This internal legal team provides legal advice to CNA’s claims lines of business. The successful candidate will have substantial experience analyzing complex specialty and commercial insurance coverage issues and advising on high-severity third-party claims. We are looking for a coverage attorney or coverage litigation attorney with broad commercial and specialty coverage experience. Specialty coverage experience is required and Commercial general liability and mass tort coverage experience are preferred. The ideal candidate will bring strong legal judgment, analytical skill, research ability, communication skills, and coverage expertise. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to work on CNA’s most complex coverage matters. You will advise claims professionals and senior leaders on legal issues that affect high-severity specialty and commercial claims. The work is grounded in legal research, policy analysis, and coverage analysis. You will also support training, strategic projects, and legal guidance across other lines of business when needed, including first-party property, marine, and commercial healthcare. Eight to ten years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility in a law firm and/or an insurance company is required. Please note that this is not a claims handling role. It is also not a defense/staff counsel role. If your experience is in those areas, we encourage you to review CNA’s open job postings for suitable positions.

Requirements

• Substantial experience analyzing complex specialty and commercial insurance coverage issues and advising on high-severity third-party claims.
• Broad commercial and specialty coverage experience.
• Specialty coverage experience is required.
• Eight to ten years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility in a law firm and/or an insurance company.
• Senior-level knowledge of insurance coverage, claims-related legal issues, and coverage litigation.
• Strong technical and product-specific coverage knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, consulting, and collaboration skills.
• Sound independent judgment.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Comfort managing uncertainty.
• Creative approach to complex legal and business problems.
• Ability to take a long-term view of business goals and support strategic results.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, legal research tools, Teams, and other business-related software.
• Commitment to practical legal solutions and strong service to internal clients.
• Sense of ownership and urgency in advancing business priorities.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to build effective relationships.
• Commitment to continued learning and broadening legal, industry, and technical skills.
• Bachelor's degree and J.D.
• Admission to the bar of at least one state required, along with the ability to obtain in-house counsel admission if required.

Nice To Haves

• Commercial general liability and mass tort coverage experience are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on the most complex and severe third-party claims. This includes coverage opinions, coverage advice, and litigation support for matters filed by or against the company.
• Oversee coverage litigation and related matters handled by coverage counsel or outside counsel. Monitor trials and track legal and regulatory developments. Advise management and claims professionals on key issues, legal trends, and business impact.
• Provide legal research, coverage analysis, counsel, and guidance in a fast-moving environment. Work closely with internal and external business partners.
• Analyze legal issues independently. Support sound dispute resolution strategies.
• Occasionally attend mediations, arbitrations, appraisals, settlement meetings, and conferences when business needs require. Bring sound coverage judgment to those settings.
• Help develop and deliver training for the claims organization.
• Perform other legal duties as business needs require.

Benefits

• CNA offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to help our employees – and their family members – achieve their physical, financial, emotional and social wellbeing goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director