CLM Alliance Launches Bermuda Chapter
The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance [CLM], an international insurance professional education organisation, has launched a chapter in Bermuda. CLM Bermuda is the first of its kind in Bermuda, dedicated to serving claims and litigation management professionals.
The founding executive committee of CLM Bermuda is comprised of senior claims and legal practitioners from leading Bermuda insurance brokers and companies and premier Bermuda law firms.
The mission of CLM Bermuda is to promote the highest standards of claims and litigation management practices in the insurance industry. The chapter will host a variety of educational and networking events focused on claims handling and litigation issues, as well as insurance law trends and topics.
“We are thrilled to bring CLM to Bermuda,” said CLM Bermuda President Joshua Schwartz. “The CLM Bermuda chapter aims to raise the level of claims handling and litigation excellence and expertise on the island. We have pulled together top brokers, lawyers, and claims professionals to serve in key leadership roles within CLM Bermuda. It is a privilege to work with these individuals, and we look forward to working with many other great professionals on the island and within the greater CLM community.”
As explained by CLM Bermuda Vice-President, Margaret Reeves Lottimore, “The goal of CLM Bermuda is to raise the bar even higher for the Bermuda claims and litigation community. We have excellent talent here in Bermuda, and CLM Bermuda will help foster and develop that talent and the next generation of claims and litigation practitioners.”
CLM Bermuda has already given a scholarship to two local claims handlers to attend the CLM Claims College in Philadelphia, which provides an intensive training course on claims handling best practices. According to Mia Finsness, Education Director for CLM Bermuda, “these scholarships are wonderful because they give young Bermudian claims handlers exposure to some of the brightest and most experienced claims and legal professionals in the world, including chief claims officers for multinational insurance companies. The hope is that they will bring back to Bermuda the skills obtained during this intensive course and enhance the caliber of the insurance community in Bermuda.”
The founding members of CLM Bermuda include Joshua Schwartz, President [General Counsel at ACE Bermuda]; Margaret Reeves Lottimore, Vice-President [Assistant Vice President, Claims at XL Bermuda]; Mia Finsness, Education Director [Manager, Claims at Markel]; Katie Tornari, Social Director [Director, Marshall Diel & Myers Limited]; and Jim Paugh, Secretary [Assistant Vice President, Claims at ACE Bermuda]. In addition, the following founding members are part of the CLM Bermuda Executive Committee: Colm Singleton [Chief Claims Officer Bermuda & International, Allied World]; Christian Luthi [Director, Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited]; Tawana Tannock [Claims Advocate, Marsh]; Christina Jones [Claims Analyst, XL Bermuda]; and Mark Chudleigh [Partner, Sedgwick Chudleigh].
Launch Event
CLM Bermuda invites interested claims and legal professionals to enroll in the chapter and attend the organisation’s launch reception on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, at 5:30pm. Joining the CLM Bermuda Chapter is easy, simply join the CLM at www.theclm.org/membershiptypes. All members who have enrolled prior to the Launch Party will receive two complimentary cocktails at the event.
There is no cost for industry professionals [corporate counsel, claims and litigation managers, adjusters and service providers] to join the CLM. Outside defense counsel pay only $485 for an individual membership or $685 or $985 for a firm membership [depending on firm size]. All CLM Members and Fellows who work or reside in Bermuda are automatically members of the CLM Bermuda Chapter.
What an exciting initiative, the value that effective claims management brings to an insurer cannot be understated.