Legal Audit Counsel

Berkley•Urbandale, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Audit Counsel will join the dynamic Legal Management Services department at W. R. Berkley Support Services, as part of a newly established team. This role is crucial for providing centralized legal bill review and outside counsel guidance to multiple independent operating units within the W.R. Berkley Corporation. The primary focus will be on validating legal bill charges against attorney guidelines and industry standards using an electronic billing system. Key aspects of the role include resolving billing disputes, managing legal bill review appeals, educating law firms and staff on the bill review process, and analyzing billing discrepancies to evaluate law firm performance and billing trends. W. R. Berkley Corporation, founded in 1967, is a Fortune 500 Company and one of the largest commercial lines property and casualty insurers in the United States, comprising over 60+ businesses worldwide.

Requirements

JD in good standing
Five (5) years of experience working with litigation and legal billing practices, including civil court rules and procedures and state and federal court systems
Three (3) years of legal bill review experience with exposure to multiple lines of business and varying levels of billing complexity
Proficient in the use of eBilling platforms, including Bottomline’s LegalX and Legal Exchange
Experience utilizing AI‑enabled legal billing and analytics tools to support accurate bill review, identify billing irregularities, and ensure compliance with outside counsel billing guidelines
Ability to analyze AI‑generated insights and apply legal judgment to validate billing exceptions, cost trends, and efficiency opportunities
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Adobe PDF
Excellent computer and technical aptitude, with the ability to adapt quickly to new systems and technologies
Ability to function independently and successfully multi‑task in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
Exceptional organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
Strong legal judgment with the ability to make sound, well‑reasoned decisions
Strategic thinker with the ability to leverage data and technology to optimize legal spend
Professional demeanor with strong interpersonal and communication skills
Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity
Team‑oriented, collaborative, and able to work effectively with minimal supervision

Responsibilities

Ensure prompt, accurate and efficient auditing of submitted legal fee and expense invoices pursuant to applicable litigation and billing guideline.
Conduct line by line review of invoices to determine accuracy, reasonableness and compliance with agreed upon fee structure between company and law firm.
Identify and group tasks to evaluate the progression of activities from start of case to closure.
Collect information needed via contact with law firm and claims staff to determine the reasonableness of time spent on tasks for completion of bill review process.
Identify billing discrepancies based on knowledge of litigation and billing guidelines, industry standards and litigation history, and reduce invoices accordingly.
Discuss, explain and educate attorneys and claims staff on reasons for invoice reductions, bill review process and compliance with litigation and billing guidelines.
Advise and work closely with claim managers, adjusters, and attorneys on billing discrepancies to determine the reasonableness of time spent and best course of action for resolution.
Develop and maintain extensive knowledge related to determining the likely legal necessity for specific insurance defense and coverage related law firm work.
Make quick, sound decisions and negotiate resolution of billing issues or disputes.
Utilizes claim file and document review to obtain claim strategy information and apply during review process.
Ensure prompt, accurate and efficient auditing of submitted legal fee and expense invoices and amends as appropriate.
Engage in written and/or verbal communications with law firms and/or the Berkley operating unit employees managing the claim, serving as the technical resource for appeal oversight and/or discretionary reviews.
Participate in calibration and consultation with the Litigation Management Services team.
Collaborate with claims department for more effective litigation cost control.
Serve as a technical resource to other claim professionals and various stakeholders, providing consultation and training regarding legal bill review and related best practices where appropriate.
Drive and influence compliance with partnering law firms based on W.R. Berkley Corporation’s retention and billing policies and philosophy through building a trusted and strategic business partnerships.
Assist and provide input to identify improvement or innovative opportunities and aid in the understanding, assessment and removal of barriers to success of this newly formed team.