Summary of Responsibilities:

Provides legal advice and counsel on insurance and annuity matters to all Western & Southern Financial Group business and shared service units.  Provides legal advice on both a preventive basis and after issues have arisen.  Manages insurance and annuity litigation and disputes directly and/or through outside counsel.  Works with minimal supervision and escalates to Law and business unit management as appropriate.

Position Responsibilities:

• Advises business and shared service units on legal matters relating to insurance and annuity administration, underwriting, policy service, and insurance claims; offers expertise and advice on complex legal issues related to life insurance, annuities and structured settlements.
• Leads the drafting effort for new or updated insurance policies (e.g., whole, universal, group), annuity contracts (e.g., immediate, fixed, fixed indexed), and/or riders and endorsements, working closely and collaboratively with Product Management, Actuarial, Operations, and other affected areas.
• Provides policy/contract drafting, administrative support, and time-sensitive legal counsel to Institutional Markets (e.g., Pension Risk Transfer (PRT), Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI), Worksite initiatives, and/or 401(k) Platforms).
• Collaborates with the Compliance Department in responding to:

·       Market conduct examinations conducted by state insurance departments.

·       Customer complaints submitted directly to the Company or through state insurance departments.

·       Requests and inquiries from various regulatory or court authorities.

• Manages and handles routine litigation matters and other projects, including claims disputes and interpleaders, with little direction or supervision; effectively and efficiently manages outside counsel on substantive issues, as well as on budget.
• Provides legal counsel in connection with the negotiation and drafting of reinsurance treaties, amendments, and related agreements; provides legal counsel to reinsurance actuaries and Claims Department with respect to treaty interpretation, application, and claims settlements; coordinates with reinsurers/reinsurance actuaries and E&O/D&O insurers on disputed claims.
• Drafts, negotiates and finalizes complex legal contracts and documents autonomously.
• Undertakes complex research assignments from General Counsel and/or Deputy, Associate or Assistant General Counsels.
• Assists other attorneys as needed with litigation matters and other projects they are overseeing.
• Provides regular training on various legal topics of interest to Company associates in operations, underwriting, claims, and other administration and servicing areas.
• Trains and/or develops staff.  Provides direction to, and development of, associates through daily coaching.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Selection Criteria:

·        Substantial experience (10+ years following law school) in the role of Counsel, Senior Counsel or equivalent in title and experience handling complex insurance and annuity matters and related litigation.

·       Extensive experience in a corporate legal department and/or law firm, working independently with clients on complex matters.

·       Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work cross-functionally, both to build relationships with business unit clients and other attorneys and to develop associates in skills and profiency while achieving tactical and strategic goals. 

·       Excellent issue identification, negotiation and conflict resolution skills (creativity and problem solving).

·       Sound judgment and initiative in selecting the most effective solutions.

·       Strong contract drafting and excellent written communication/technical drafting skills.

·       Excellent verbal communication/interpersonal skills, detail-oriented and resourceful with excellent follow-through skills.

·       Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and manage multiple tasks and priorities; meeting deadlines is imperative.

·       Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with executive leadership, and to influence others beyond direct control, both inside and outside the Company.

·       Demonstrated ability to lead teams of other attorneys and colleagues in the organization on legal and regulatory matters, cases and/or issues.

·       Demonstrated ability to focus on big picture corporate vision and collaborate with other business and shared service unit management; appreciable knowledge and perspective of businesses.

Work Setting:

• This position works in an office setting and remains in a stationary position for long periods of time while working at a desk, on a computer or with other standard office equipment, or while in meetings.
• Requires visual acuity to read a variety of correspondence, reports and forms, and to prepare and analyze data and/or information

Educational Requirements:

·       Juris Doctor degree from a recognized and accredited law school and above average class standing.

Computer Skills and Knowledge of Hardware & Software Required:

• Proficient in the use of word processing and email.

Certifications & Licenses (i.e., Series 6 & 63, CPA, etc.):

• Licensed to practice law in at least one state

Position Demands:

• Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects.