Auto & Casualty Liability Claims

J. LAUREN CHEATHAM, ESQ.

*** ********* *** • St Augustine, FL. 32095 • 904-***-**** • *******@*****.*** ABOUT As a Florida licensed attorney with nearly 20 years of legal experience in civil litigation, in-house corporate representation, and liability claims administration, I am a detail-oriented, results-driven business professional in multi-areas of claims specialization from incident investigation to litigation management and through dispute resolution.

PROFESSIONAL

EXPERIENCE Gallagher Bassett

Senior Resolution Manager • April 2024 – Present

• Establish and execute disposition plan for liability claims and first party commercial auto injury claims, which includes loss investigation, fault evaluation and determination, and defense strategy development to ascertain dispute resolution efficiently and in the best in interest of the customer in full compliance with jurisdictional and statutory requirements.

• Determine property and bodily injury damages exposure in order to set necessary and appropriate reserves for indemnity and expense exposure while establishing and maintaining business partnership relationships with insured customers, agency, and insurance carrier professionals focus on guideline compliance and favorable resolution.

• Participate in and direct litigation activities ensuring department of insurance compliance, negotiate settlements and ascertain dispute resolutions with claimants, legal representation for claimants, and other insurance professionals within customer service excellence expectations.

• Educate insureds and vendors regarding claim management processes, contractual obligations, and benefits provided under policies of insurance, as well as mentor and train adjusters in best practices and jurisdictional specific requirements in claims handling. Stillwater Insurance Group

Auto Claims Examiner II • Litigation Specialist, Auto & Casualty • Claims Supervisor, Auto & Casualty • Jacksonville, FL • September 2019 – April 2024

• Evaluated claims department needs and strengths in claims staff, train and guide liability adjusters in claims handling best practices and insured focused resolution development.

• Evaluate policy terms and render coverage determinations as to applicable coverage(s) consistent with contractual language and jurisdictional/statutory requirements.

• Investigate bodily injury liability exposure under personal auto, commercial premise liability, homeowners, and umbrella policies, as well as causation pursuant to mechanism of injury and impact forces.

• Conduct settlement negotiations, attend mediations, and manage resolution completion nationwide pursuant to specific jurisdictional requirements and contractual obligations.

• Educate insureds and vendors regarding claim management processes, first vs. third party obligations, coverage benefits, while maintaining and growing business partnerships. St. Johns County Administration

Executive Assistant to the County Administrator • St. Augustine, FL • January – September 2020

• Supervise and direct administrative staff for County Administrator’s office, including delegate administrative duties for various operational departments within the municipality.

• Organize multi-departmental agenda documentation for regular and special meetings of the governing board.

• Operate as the initial point of contact for the County Administrator and County Administration team during the COVID pandemic.

Turning Point at Calvary Baptist Church

Ministerial Assistant • St. Augustine, FL • April 2018 – September 2019

• Consult and provide legal counsel to the heads of various organization departments relating to 3rd party and vendor contract development.

• Project management and marketing strategy for educational, social and recreation programs for congregational services, events and community outreach programs.

• Strategic development and implementation of new digital management system, organize and implement data conversion.

J. LAUREN CHEATHAM, ESQ.

411 Appaloosa Ave • St Augustine, FL. 32095 • 904-***-**** • *******@*****.*** Carolina Casualty Insurance Company

Underwriter • Jacksonville, FL • November 2016 – April 2018

• Compose and craft commercial transportation policies, analyze risk exposure characteristics in compliance with underwriting guidelines, resulting in over $1 million in written premiums.

• Develop loss risk analysis tables for premium determination comparative to projected loss potential pursuant to complex risk factors, i.e. operation financial stability, management structure and fundamental operation for existing and proposed risk exposures.

• Consult in coverage determination and claims handling processes with respect to jurisdictional legal ramifications and claims handing requirements/best practices. Fidelity National Title Group

Assistant Vice President, Claims Counsel • Jacksonville, FL • June 2011 – August 2016

• Management and strategy development relating to claim resolution for high volume case load relating to both 1st or 3rd party litigation, as well as extra contractual risk.

• Executive decision maker in resolution strategy and economic valuation for civil litigation disputes and legal actions, resulting in 90% success rate at mediation within original claim valuation and settlement authority.

• Investigate, analyze and render coverage determinations, evaluate and select most efficient course of action, involving in depth legal analysis of jurisdictional laws and statutes of 30+ states throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

• Conduct second level review and evaluation of claim coverage determination and appeals regarding claim specific factual analysis, as well as procedural compliance of claims handling; and ensure implement of final disposition of appeal within corporate regulations and contractual obligations.

• Supervise and direct all phases of litigation conducted by company retained counsel, as well as corporate in-house litigation counsel, including expert and legal counsel invoice auditing, focusing on loss mitigation and legal right enforcement for the insured, as balanced with the business interests and contractual obligations of the company.

• Participation in mediations and settlement conferences to negotiate settlement of pending litigation and substantive resolution of real property title claims.

• Preparation and presentation of state specific legally-supported communication, verbal and written, regarding analysis, strategy and planned outcome of individual claim development.

Schutt, Schmidt & Noey, P.A.

Associate Attorney, Civil Litigation • Jacksonville, FL • August 2004 – June 2011

• Civil litigation trial attorney specialized in personal injury, personal and commercial auto liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and products liability defense.

• Pre-suit and litigation case management from start to finish, including factual investigation, discovery development and response, liability and causation defense strategy development, comprehensive legal research and application of binding as well as persuasive law to case specific facts, ensure regular and continuous client communication regarding case evaluation and strategy development through final dispute resolution.

• Assist corporate clients in business strategies relating to subject litigation and potential future disputes; evaluate and negotiate resolution options and settlement structures; negotiate and draft resolution terms and contractual documentation.

• Counsel clients regarding compliance measures pertaining to existing policy and procedures as well as assist in development of best practice policy and procedures modifications. Effective and efficient direction and management of administrative and legal support staff.

• Experience in internal budget development, management and compliance. LICENSURE Florida Bar Association – Member in Good Standing since May 2006 Florida Adjuster’s License 0620 – ALL LINES – obtained in 2019, certified through 2026 J. LAUREN CHEATHAM, ESQ.

411 Appaloosa Ave • St Augustine, FL. 32095 • 904-***-**** • *******@*****.*** EDUCATION Florida Coastal School of Law

Juris Doctor • May 2006

• Top 16% of graduating class

• Dean’s Scholar List Recipient

• Book Award Recipient

Western Kentucky University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology

Criminology minor • May 2003

• Graduated Cum Laude

• Membership in Golden Key Honors Society

• Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society

ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Chester Bedell Inn of Court Associate Member for 2009-2010 term

• Co-author of Seminar Lecture “Worker’s Compensation Immunity” 2010

• Co-author of Seminar Lecture “Duty to Defend: Dual Obligations to an Insured” 2008

• Co-author of Seminar Lecture “Obligation of Indemnification” 2008 REFERENCES Erin Searcy, Esq.

Executive Leadership in Claims Consultation – Stillwater Insurance Company • 904-***-**** Hunter Conrad, Esq.

Executive Pastor – Turning Point at Calvary • 904-***-**** Becky Vasko

Director of Claims – Horace Mann Insurance Company • 904-***-****

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