Top Law Schools

Interview with one, mostly does insurance defense work of all sorts. Anyone work for one or otherwise know who can give me a good summary so I can sound smart?

I get that things go wrong with claims then they call in attys, besides that is it suing the policy holders or indemnifications? torts? idk?

Thanks!

Full Disclosure: I am a 0L, but I've been working paralegal in an insurance defense firm for about a year.

The primary roles of a firm that does insurance defense are (1) assessing potential claims disputes at their outset, and (2) assuming the defense of the insured on behalf of the client when those claims proceed to trial. Client = insurance company; Insured = entity that bought insurance. Companies buy insurance for everything, accidents happen all the time, and therefore the lawyers practice can be varied. Wrongful death, construction, property / municipal liability, etc.

Additionally, insurance defense firms will pursue other insurers in coverage disputes and bad faith claims. These types of lawsuits are generally after the plaintiff is paid, and the various counsel for multiple insurance companies fight it out in court to settle the tab.

I think you'd impress the interviewing partner if you asked about how s/he navigates the role of representing the insured while still maintaining the best interests of the client.