Insurance Claims Management, Claims Attorney, Coverage Counsel
Greater Philadelphia Area
- Current
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- Sole Practitioner at William West, Attorney, Consultant
- Past
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- Complex Property Claim Team Manager at State Farm Insurance
- Grader CPCU 530, The Legal Environment of Insurance at AICPCU
- Complex Casualty Claim Team Manager at State Farm Fire and Casualty Company
- Claim Attorney at State Farm Insurance
- Arson/Fraud/Large Loss Specialist at State Farm Insurance
- Fire Claim Representative at State Farm Insurance
- Education
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- Villanova University School of Law
- Ursinus College
- The American College
- American Institute for CPCU
- Recommended
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1 person has recommended William - Connections
-
87
connections
- Industry
- Insurance
William West’s Summary
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• Seasoned Attorney with notable success in the insurance industry serving as Claims Counsel and Liability/Property Claims Management.
• Manages defense of large exposure property and casualty claims ranging from $25K to $500K+.
• Develops trial strategies by conducting comprehensive legal research and analysis, evaluation of facts, assessment of witnesses, and experience with the local legal environment.
• Selects, supervises, and evaluates independent counsel and subject matter experts in the defense of complex coverage, liability, and damages litigation.
• Oversees regulatory and internal compliance for claims handling and attains prompt settlements with a high level of quality and customer service.
• Defends class action, extra-contractual, and excess exposure suits made against the Company.
• Holds a JD Degree from Villanova University and is certified as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).
Key Words: Claim Attorney, Coverage Counsel, Litigation Management. Litigation Analyst, Claims Manager, Staff Attorney, Bad Faith, Extra-Contractual, General Counsel
William West’s Specialties:
Litigation Management:
Developing Trial Strategy
Legal Cost Containment
Legislative Review & Analysis
Regulatory Compliance
Systems Expertise in Westlaw and Lexis
Budget Management
Strategic Planning
Tactical Implementation
Project Management
Employee Development
Managing & Developing Teams
Large Exposure Suits:
Excess Exposure, Extra Contractual & Class Action Suits
William West’s Experience
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Sole Practitioner
William West, Attorney, Consultant
(Law Practice industry)
March 2008 — Present (1 year 5 months)
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Complex Property Claim Team Manager
State Farm Insurance
(Privately Held; Insurance industry)
August 2005 — March 2008 (2 years 8 months)
Fire Property Claims Team Manager ~ State Farm ~ 2005 to 2008
Supervised staff of nine professional employees in the handling of complex commercial and personal lines property insurance claims. Selected and supervised in house and independent counsel in litigation relating to such claims. -
Grader CPCU 530, The Legal Environment of Insurance
AICPCU
(Insurance industry)
2004 — 2008 (4 years)
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Complex Casualty Claim Team Manager
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company
(Privately Held; Insurance industry)
December 1999 — August 2005 (5 years 9 months)
Complex Casualty Claim Team Manager ~ State Farm ~ 1999 to 2005
Supervised a staff of professional and paraprofessional employees in the investigation and resolution of complex commercial and personal lines liability claims involving serious bodily injuries and/or property damage. -
Claim Attorney
State Farm Insurance
(Privately Held; 10,001 or more employees; Insurance industry)
August 1991 — December 1999 (8 years 5 months)
Claim Attorney ~ State Farm ~ 1991 to 1999
Conducted legal research, prepared legal memoranda and provided counsel to claims management. Provided contractual analysis based upon relevant case and statutory law.
Analyzed Insurance Department regulations and instituted systems to monitor/assure compliance.
Directed the administration of the settlement of a major class action filed in Pennsylvania supervising a staff of 30 employees and contract employees. -
Arson/Fraud/Large Loss Specialist
State Farm Insurance
(Privately Held; 10,001 or more employees; Insurance industry)
1988 — 1991 (3 years)
• Investigated suspicious fire claims for large commercial property damage claims with a loss of business component. Identified fire origin/causes and estimated and negotiated claim losses.
• Identified and investigated property claims that had indicia of potential fraudulent activity.
• Selected and supervised independent counsel, origin and cause experts, and forensic accountants in defense of litigation against the Company relating to denied fraud and arson claims. -
Fire Claim Representative
State Farm Insurance
(Privately Held; 10,001 or more employees; Insurance industry)
1982 — 1988 (6 years)
• Managed property and casualty claims including catastrophic claims from hurricane, hail, tornados, and freezing in various areas across the United States
William West’s Education
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Villanova University School of Law
JD , Law , 1978 — 1981
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Ursinus College
BS , Political Science , 1972 — 1977
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The American College
ChFC, CLU , Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter
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American Institute for CPCU
CPCU, CLU , Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter
Additional Information
William West’s Interests:
Insurance Claims Management, Claim Attorney, Coverage Counsel, Litigation Management, Liability Claims Management
William West’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
