Year 1 Learning Objectives

* Gain foundational knowledge of E&O, D&O, EPLI, and other policies, their real-world applications, and the risks they are designed to cover.
* Understand the responsibilities of brokers, underwriters, counsel, risk managers, and others in managing and resolving professional liability claims.
* Apply best practices in gathering facts, reviewing complex documents, and aligning reserves with potential exposure.
* Understand Duty to Defend, proximate cause, and the role of expert opinions in establishing liability and causation.
* Recognize how tort reform, jurisdictional differences, and legal trends influence claims strategy and outcomes.
* Draft accurate coverage letters, build defensible claim files, and mitigate bad faith risks through ethical handling practices.
* Evaluate how claims decisions affect all parties involved, including insureds, brokers, and legal teams.
* Utilize negotiation, mediation, and ADR techniques to resolve claims efficiently and reduce litigation.
* Coordinate all claim phases—from reporting through resolution—with timely communication and strategic consistency.
* Strengthen broker relationships and select, manage, and prepare expert witnesses to support defensible outcomes.