Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Regional Managing Attorney and General Counsel of Vernis & Bowling, Ian Matthes. Ian's path into the insurance world was both intriguing and instructive. He began his career at an insurance defense litigation firm in Atlanta, Georgia, which laid the foundation for his deep understanding of the industry. His journey took him through various roles at a regional carrier and AIG before he found his niche at Vernon and Bowling. Here, Ian has played a pivotal role in firm management and has been a vocal advocate for insurance-related and risk-management topics.

To learn more about Ian's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Founder and President of Suite 200 Solutions, Taylor Smith. The conversation began with an exploration of the study conducted by Suite 200 Solutions—the research aimed to understand the hurdles that insurance defense attorneys encounter in their practice. Taylor delved into the findings, it became clear that the legal industry is grappling with issues that affect not only the professionals within it but also the clients they serve.

Taylor provided an in-depth analysis of the study's results. He discussed several key points that stood out, including the evolving expectations of clients and the pressure on legal firms to deliver results more efficiently. The study highlighted how these expectations transform the way legal services are provided.

One of the most striking revelations was the impact of technology on the legal profession. Taylor examined how digital tools and platforms revolutionize case management and client communication. Taylor emphasized the importance of embracing these changes to stay competitive and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.

To learn more about Taylor's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Partner of Wood Smith Henning & Berman, Frances OMeara. Frances' path to law was as dynamic as the cases she handled. With a background in sports, particularly basketball, she earned a scholarship to play at Stanford. However, her trajectory took a turn toward law school, leading her to specialize in insurance defense. Her story is a testament to how diverse experiences can shape a successful legal career.

To learn more about Frances' work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Founding Partner of Cruser & Mitchell, Bill Mitchell. Bill's story is a testament to the power of vision and determination. Growing up as a blue-collar kid in Detroit, his future was shaped early on by his father's aspirations for his children. Despite not having a high school diploma, Bill's father envisioned successful careers for his kids: an accountant and lawyer for his brother, a doctor for his sister, and a lawyer for Bill. This early direction set Bill on a path that leads him to law school and beyond.

After graduating from law school in Detroit, Bill found himself in Atlanta, working for a law firm that represented police and sheriff departments through insurance companies. This was his unexpected entry into the insurance world. He spent a decade handling civil rights cases, which were as challenging as they were thrilling, dealing with issues like excessive force and jail class actions.

Bill's career took a pivotal turn when he challenged the status quo in litigation management. He shared a story about handling a case for Hartford, where he managed to get a case dismissed with prejudice voluntarily, billing only $3000 compared to the usual $80,000 to $100,000. This success demonstrated the value of early evaluation and efficient execution, principles that would become the cornerstone of his approach to law.

Bill's passion for negotiation led him to author "The Disruptive Lawyers: The Little Black Book of Litigation Management" and "The Disruptive Lawyers: Little Black Book of Negotiation." These books are based on his extensive experience and discussions with claims executives, focusing on the importance of strategic planning and execution in litigation and negotiation.

To learn more about Bill's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Litigation Specialist of SECURA Insurance Companies, Taylor Rawal, and the Attorney of DunbarMonroe, Chris Dunnells. Taylor has carved a niche for herself at SECURA Insurance Companies, climbing the ranks from the call center to handling litigation files. Her expertise spans personal lines, commercial lines, and specialty lines, though she candidly admits that work comp is not within her purview. On the other hand, Chris Dunnells brings a wealth of experience as a civil litigation defense attorney, with a focus on insurance defense, particularly in trucking litigation and general liability cases. Like Taylor, work comp cases fall outside his domain.

The conversation naturally gravitated towards the negotiation workshop that Taylor and Chris had conducted. The workshop was designed to arm attorneys and claims adjusters with advanced tools for negotiating both litigated and pre-litigated claims. Chris underscored the fact that while these professionals may possess basic negotiation training, the workshop was tailored to refine those skills with a laser focus on claims defense and litigation management.

Taylor shed light on the psychological aspects of negotiation, emphasizing the significance of understanding claimants' needs and managing emotions. She pointed out that gathering information and conducting discovery must be balanced with an appreciation for the human element involved. Chris chimed in, noting that a common hurdle for many is the discomfort with negotiation and a reluctance to adapt their negotiation style.

The million-dollar question that was tackled was how to negotiate a claim to achieve the best outcome. Taylor and Chris explored the notion of creating win-win situations, where both parties walk away satisfied. They debunked the myth that the best deals leave both sides unhappy, advocating instead for settlements where all parties feel justly compensated for the injuries sustained.

To learn more about Taylor and Chris' work, click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of First Acceptance Insurance, Sarannah McMurtry. Sarannah's career trajectory is as fascinating as it is instructive. She began in the legal field, focusing on insurance defense, coverage-related litigation, and the thorny issue of bad faith claims. Her expertise led her to a pivotal role at First Acceptance Insurance, where she now oversees legal advice and support for claims operations across various jurisdictions. Her transition from practicing law to guiding an in-house team provides a unique perspective on the insurance industry's legal challenges.

To learn more about Sarannah's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the Partner of Gerber Ciano Kelly Brady LLP, Kelly Petter. Like many of her peers, Kelly's entry into the insurance sector was somewhat accidental. After graduating from law school during the recession, job opportunities were scarce. She was unaware of insurance defense as a field until she received a job offer the day after her bar exam. Grateful for employment, Kelly accepted and soon found herself enamored with the intricacies of insurance coverage and defense work. Kelly's firm, primarily based in the Northeast, has a national practice, serving as national coordinating counsel for clients across the United States.

To learn more about Kelly's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.

Your host, Chris Tidball, talks with the SVP of Sales and Marketing of DigitalOwl, Sean Allen. Sean's journey into the insurance world was quite serendipitous. Nearly three decades ago, he was asked to manage the insurance vertical at a company where he worked. Despite the industry's reputation for slow decision-making, Sean took on the challenge and has since been deeply involved in the servicing side of the business across Canada, the UK, and the USA. Sean's experience ranges from handling claims for a large PPO company with a workforce of 40,000 to dealing with the aftermath of the still-missing Malaysian airline.

Throughout Sean's career, he's engaged in extensive work with Lloyd's of London and has been privy to a vast array of claims, providing him with a unique perspective on the industry's complexities and the need for innovation.

To learn more about Sean's work, click HERE and HERE.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply HERE.

Want to learn more about Chris' work at SecondLook? Check out his website at https://secondlook.net/.