Social Inflation and the Legal System: Trends, Drivers, and Actions to Level the Playing Field

Join us for this engaging discussion with Allen Kirsh of Zurich North America, where he will focus on defining social inflation and its impact on claims, including what is driving this phenomenon from changing juror attitudes and plaintiff attorney tactics to eroding tort reform. The discussion will then turn to what we can do to mitigate the risk, such as advocating for changes in the law.

Allen Kirsh

SVP, Head of Claims Judicial and Legislative Affairs, Zurich North America Claims

Zurich North America

Allen Kirsh has served as the Head of Claims Judicial and Legislative Affairs since November 2021. He is responsible for the claims-led strategy to combat Social Inflation and related drivers including eroding tort reform. He regularly works with others in the insurance industry to build a coalition to work together on these and related issues. In his role, Allen also has responsibility for the Staff Legal organization and our overall management of external counsel.

Prior to his current role, Allen was the Head of Staff Legal in Zurich North America. He was responsible for the leadership, strategy, and results of the Staff Legal organization. Allen started his Zurich career 22 years ago as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Chicago Staff Legal office. Since then, he has held several leadership positions in Staff Legal, Claims Administration and Operations, Claims Quality Assurance, and Strategic Planning. Allen has also served as the Claims Chief of Staff responsible for development and execution of the ZNA Claims’ priorities.

Allen began his career as an attorney representing plaintiffs in personal injury litigation. He moved on to represent Cook County government as the Head of Torts and Civil Rights Litigation with the Cook County State’s Attorney. Allen then spent several years in private practice representing corporations in civil litigation.

Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois and a juris doctor degree from DePaul University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Illinois and California.

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