Martha Sperry

Hello - I am Martha Sperry, an in-house corporate attorney and legal tech blogger

I have more than 20 years experience as an attorney for the insurance industry. Clients have included Lloyds of London and various domestic insurers and reinsurers. I currently serve as legal counsel to the claims department at OneBeacon Insurance in Canton, Massachusetts. I participate in high-level, company-wide initiatives affecting the claims department, and provide oversight and guidance in day to day claims handling operations. I frequently present at internal meetings on topics that educate and improve internal efficiencies and external service. A member of the Medicare Section 111 Compliance Team, I handle reporting and lien resolution issues, protocol development and vendor management. I also have general business litigation and bankruptcy experience. Throughout my career I have focused on research and writing.. I began as Executive Lead Articles editor for my law school's law review. I contributed my own article, which was published and cited twice in the Worth Reading column of the National Law Journal. I have assisted professionals with writing and research, offering guidance with social media and the general impact of technology on the practice of law. I currently maintain a tech blog directed at legal professionals - the blog Advocate's Studio was cited in early 2012 as one of the 100 Best Law Blogs by the American Bar Association Journal. I am a faculty member at the online legal education site Solo Practice University and teach on the subject of how to use Google in your legal practice. I provide graphic design and illustration services, including logo development and a wide variety of graphic work. Admitted to Practice in Massachusetts, Illinois and the Northern District of Illinois

Owner at AdvantageAdvocates

January 2008 - January 2011

Provide web consulting to business clients. Includes review and drafting of marketing materials, bios and resumes, research, content development, editing and fact checking, and advice regarding Web 2.0 tools for networking, collaboration, professional development and work flow. Publish blogs and attend speaking engagements on social networking, Web tools and modern business practice.

Contract Attorney at Shapiro & Associates

1996 - 1996

Managed insurance coverage practice, including supervision of two other contract attorneys. Prepared coverage opinions and draft letters and handled billings. Provided research and drafting of pleadings, motions and memoranda.

Associate Attorney at Lord, Bissell & Brook

1990 - 1995

Worked in Business Litigation, Bankruptcy and London Insurance Coverage group. Drafted trial and appellate pleadings and briefs, Attended court hearings, participated in discovery and depositions, monitored claims handling, engaged in settlement negotiations and served as liaison between Lloyd's of London Underwriters and Brokers and domestic insureds and TPAs. Participated in specialized marketing and research projects for interest groups and clients. Assisted in recruiting efforts and supervised younger associates and support staff.

Claims Counsel at OneBeacon Insurance

November 1996

Counsel to the claims department of a national specialty lines insurer. Provide legal advice and consult on claims across product lines. Assist in establishing company-wide best practices relative to claims handling. Serve on CMS / Medicare reporting and conditional lien handling task force, designated as point person for Medicare lien handling questions for all business lines. Offer guidance to underwriting and corporate legal on wide variety of matters. Assist with proposed litigation. Audit claims files handled by outside counsel. Prepare and present internal seminars. Provide technical advice.

New England School of Law

1987 – 1990

J.D.

University of New Hampshire

1983 – 1987

BA

Concentration: Psychology - Major, Philosophy & Studio Arts - Minors

Music performance and production, graphic design, illustration, fine art, antiques, skiing, soccer