The Litigation Management College, organized by the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, is a week-long intense and immersive workshop designed to develop and hone critical skills for claims handling professionals, third party administrators, and self-insured corporate litigation managers working in the insurance industry or in litigation matters from all across the country.

LaShawnda Jackson is on the LMC faculty and participated in the workshop from June 4-8, 2017. The focus of the curriculum was a hands-on case study and fact pattern based on a real life Chicago building fire that resulted in seven deaths, personal injuries and property damages.

The claims professionals are divided into four groups that represents four defendants. With the assistance of assigned "defense counsel," each group works the "case" through trial. They start with identifying coverage issues, retaining counsel to assist with the investigation and preparing litigation plans and budgets.  There is a simulation on seeking settlement authority and a mock mediation. Periodically, the claims professionals are provided with new information that requires updated analysis, evaluations and requests for settlement authority. Meanwhile the groups are constantly in negotiations in attempt to avoid trial. At the end of the program, defense counsel provide closing statements based on each group’s analysis and position.  The groups are then presented with the actual jury verdict rendered in the case to compare to their evaluations/assessments.

LaShawnda assisted the group that represented the architect company that designed renovations to the 12th floor where the fire started.  She assisted with case analysis and evaluations from the initial assignment of the claim through litigation, settlement negotiations and a jury verdict.

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in this intense case study,” said LaShawnda. “It was very rewarding to help the professionals learn and grow.”