This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by Angela Sabarese.
In a recent CLM webinar, titled, “Developing Adjusters as Leaders for Subrogation Success," panelists Cortney Helfrich, chief personnel officer, Wilbur Group; Sally Noma, founding attorney, Noma Law Firm; and Jason Wright, vice president of shared services claims at Arch Insurance Group Inc., discussed how insurance professionals can cultivate leadership skills beyond technical expertise.
Leadership Development Areas
The webinar centered on three main areas of leadership development. Helfrich introduced the concept of 360-degree leadership, emphasizing how subrogation professionals must lead themselves, their peers, and influence those above them in the organizational hierarchy. She stressed that "subrogation doesn't just happen in a single silo. It requires adjusters to see a bigger picture, to see how decisions ripple across client relationships, these recovery outcomes, and ultimately, the business as a whole."
Noma addressed the critical importance of effective legal communication and mentoring skills. Drawing from her experience as a subrogation attorney, she highlighted the storytelling aspect of successful subrogation work, noting, "We are storytellers. That is the number one thing to keep in mind when you're coming across as a subrogation plaintiff attorney or as a claims representative." She emphasized the difference between a plaintiff-focused approach versus a defense mindset, advocating for clear, persuasive communication that avoids unnecessary legal jargon.
Wright concluded by discussing sustainable leadership development programs, focusing on identifying leadership potential and creating lasting mentorship initiatives. He noted the challenge of long-term development: "It's one thing to say…we can identify, at this point in time, this person is very good. We need to get them in the pipeline for leadership. But really the bigger challenge is how do we extend that so that it can be managed for years to come."
The webinar highlighted that successful subrogation leadership requires technical competence, emotional intelligence, collaborative skills, and a commitment to continuous professional development.