26 - Transforming Insurance Claims Management with Innovative Negotiation Strategies with Cruser & Mitchell's Bill Mitchell

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/.