Corporate Counsel, Claims & Litigation

JOB SUMMARY:

The position provides legal advice and support for insurance business operations, focusing on claim-related coverage, liability, and extra-contractual matters.  In addition, this role provides oversight and directs and manages outside legal counsel defending matters filed against the Company.  This person will conduct legal research to evaluate complex or novel legal issues; complete written evaluations; make recommendations regarding coverage, regulatory, corporate, and legal issues; monitor and report on relevant industry trends and new laws; and provide legal advice regarding bad faith avoidance and claims best practices. This role may also assist with providing advice and counsel to other internal business partners and provide general legal guidance and support for the company as a whole. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Excellent litigation management and support for a wide range of suits and administrative actions filed against the company, including employment matters, class actions, regulatory issues and extra-contractual liability claims and suits
• Timely and relevant advice and counsel for claims staff regarding coverage, liability, and damages in litigated and non-litigated matters
• Ability to conduct legal research and draft written opinions and recommendations, focusing on claims litigation and related policy and coverage interpretation.
• Ability to effectively prepare and present materials and analysis to senior/executive leadership
• Provide reporting and analysis on new trends, laws, rules, regulations, and court decisions and alert key staff regarding necessary changes and associated business impacts
• Collaborate with outside counsel and manage matters filed against the Company
• Assist with management and review of legal billing from outside counsel
• Serve as a liaison between the legal department and other internal departments of the company
• Support all company legal processes and policies
• Other activities and duties as assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. from accredited law school
• Admitted to practice law in Tennessee or eligible for admission
• Minimum of 6-8 years of related experience focused on property and casualty insurance in a law firm or in-house legal position
• Litigation attorney with experience handling declaratory judgments, coverage, and extracontractual litigation
• Experience with insurance regulation and insurance agency/broker operations a plus

• Attention to detail and ability to effectively organize and prioritize tasks
• Ability to effectively provide legal analysis and recommendations and to draft other legal documents and correspondence
• Ability to effectively communicate complex messages to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish rapport and effective working relationships with business partners, supervisors, and peers
• Demonstrated strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and tight timelines
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do manual tasks which may include the use of hands to finger and handle controls. Tasks may also require the ability to talk or hear. The employee will frequently sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms and is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Other abilities include possessing the capacity to learn, concentrate, think, work well with others and read.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments

As a Team Member at First Acceptance Insurance Company, you will be part of a growing organization that continues to evolve and positively impacts the lives of our team members and customers.

We are looking for team members that engage – who take responsibility for themselves and take care of their customers and colleagues. Ideal candidates can compose themselves under pressure, have a “make It right” mindset, and focus their energies on solving problems. This means you’ll be supported by a team with all these qualities, too. If this sounds like the kind of team you’d like to join, we want to hear from you! ​

First Acceptance Insurance Company offers a full line of benefits including: Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Paid Vacation, Disability Insurance and Employer Matching 401(k) Program.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Applicants are considered for position and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, military or veteran status or any other protected local, state or federal status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.