Jim Kelly

Consultant

jamesk@cochrancd.com

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Meet Jim Kelly

James L. Kelly, Jr. (“Jim”) was Vice President and Chief Coverage Director Chubb North American Claims in Wilmington, Delaware. While at Chubb, he was responsible for managing major commercial, marine, and personal lines property litigation involving the Chubb-affiliated companies. He also provided coverage and adjustment advice on high-exposure claims. His responsibilities included retaining outside counsel to represent the company’s interest in contested matters. This responsibility included all aspects of monitoring, reviewing, and critiquing counsel’s performance and ensuring adherence to litigation management protocol and billing guidelines. Mr. Kelly also served as Assistant General Counsel in the Corporate Litigation Department of ACE USA. Before coming to ACE in 2009, Jim served as Managing Counsel of the First Party Property Coverage Unit in the legal department at Travelers Insurance Company from 2001-2008. His unit provided coverage advice to property claim adjusters on various issues and managed first-party property litigation globally. For eight years, Jim served as Group Counsel of extra-contractual claims in the Claim Legal Department at St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company. Mr. Kelly came to St. Paul in 1993 after practicing law in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area for ten years.

What excites you about working with lawyers and law firms?

I’ve worked with lawyers from different firms worldwide all my career. During this time, I was always their client. I look forward to working with new firms and attorneys and sharing what I have learned about getting the most out of the relationship so that both parties can benefit.

Give an example of someone whose career path you changed.

I was hiring for an in-house position and was leaning towards a young associate who had clerked for an appellate judge. He was torn between taking the path towards partnership in his large firm versus coming to work for me. He was recently married and wanted to start a family. I explained the benefits of in-house work and the trade-offs with private practice. He accepted the job and has since risen to a senior position in the company. For his situation, it was the perfect move.

How does your past experience help you in your job?

As a buyer and seller of legal services, I have a unique perspective of how the process is viewed and what the parties need to know when negotiating.

Describe a unique moment in your career.

During a trip to South Africa, I was able to attend mediations on several cases that were pending. These were all significant losses involving many parties from different countries. I was able to experience how the parties and firms handled the process and gained insight into the country’s legal system. I was also fortunate to go on a safari!

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I played water polo in college and served as a college referee.

Education

Columbus School of Law Catholic University of America, 1983 J.D cum laude
La Salle University, B.A. History 1977 magna cum laude