Senior Counsel Life Insurance & Annuity

Company: Western & Southern Financial Group
Location: Cincinnati
Posted on: May 24, 2025

Job Description:

OverviewProvides 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.ResponsibilitiesWhat you will do:

• 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; and 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.
• Complies with all policies and standards.Qualifications
  • Juris Doctor degree from a recognized and accredited law school and above average class standing - Required
  • 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. - Required
  • Extensive experience in a corporate legal department and/or law firm, working independently with clients on complex matters. - Required
  • 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 proficiency while achieving tactical and strategic goals. - Required
  • Excellent issue identification, negotiation and conflict resolution skills (creativity and problem solving). - Required
  • Sound judgment and initiative in selecting the most effective solutions. - Required
  • Strong contract drafting and excellent written communication/technical drafting skills. - Required
  • Excellent verbal communication/interpersonal skills, detail-oriented and resourceful with excellent follow-through skills. - Required
  • Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and manage multiple tasks and priorities. Meeting deadlines is imperative. - Required
  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with executive leadership and to influence others beyond direct control, both inside and outside the company. - Required
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams of other attorneys and colleagues in the organization on legal and regulatory matters, cases and/or issues. - Required
  • 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. - Required
  • Proficient in the use of word processing and email. - Required
  • Licensed to practice law in at least one state Upon Hire - RequiredWork Setting/Position Demands:
    • 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 the ability to verbally communicate and exchange accurate information to customers and associates on a regular basis.
    • Requires visual acuity to read and interpret a variety of correspondence, procedures, reports and forms via paper and electronic documents, visual inspection involving small defects; small parts, and/or operation of machinery (including inspection); using measurement devices continuously. Visual acuity is required to determine accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned.
    • Requires the ability to prepare written correspondence, reports and forms using prescribed formats and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style on a regular basis.
    • Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
    • Performs substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers for continuous computer work.
    • Extended hours required during peak workloads or special projects/events.Travel Requirements:
      • None
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Keywords: Western & Southern Financial Group, Greenwood , Senior Counsel Life Insurance & Annuity, Legal , Cincinnati, Indiana