This position provides legal counsel to internal departments advising on laws, policies, practices, and procedures to ensure corporate legal adherence and compliance. Monitors and provides direction and recommendations to outside counsel for claims in litigation for assigned states.
This position qualifies for our flexible workplace options. Work at our Grinnell, Iowa, headquarters or from a home office in any of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Grinnell Mutual sponsorship.
Responsibilities
Manages litigated files claim files utilizing outside counsel from notice of suit through resolution and dismissal. Monitors and maintains adequate file reserves based on file reviews and adjusts reserves as file warrants. Determines settlement ranges and provides authority to outside counsel. Reviews billing statements from outside counsel for accuracy and reasonableness.
Analyzes legal pleadings and claims files to provide written and verbal feedback to adjusters and/or counsel regarding file status, progression, and legal opinion requests. Corresponds via phone, e-mail, or regular mail with outside defense counsel, insureds, and others regarding claims and suits.
Conducts legal research for the claims division and assigned corporate responsibilities to provide supportive legal advice as needed. Informs management and staff counsel of pertinent developments of law, legal interpretations, court rulings, and regulations that may impact corporate units. Monitors and stays abreast of updates to policies and regulations governing property/casualty claims.
Researches, analyzes, summarizes, and develops presentations and projects for specific assignments or audiences. Provides training for varied corporate personnel on legal topics, claims handling practices, or other topics as requested.
Completes special projects and assignments as assigned by leadership. Analyzes, applies innovative solutions, and shares best practices to improve efficiencies. Utilizes all available resources including cross-departmental, inter-departmental, and/or professional organizations.
Attends internal and external meetings, including committee assignments or management meetings and contributes to meetings by asking questions or presenting information verbally or in written form. Represents General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel in management meetings or company presentations as requested.
Serves as a leader by consistently demonstrating superior performance in daily work and in project assignments. Provides assistance and guidance to peers.
Coaches or mentors junior counsel on company and legal guidelines, policies and procedures. Instructs junior counsel on the applicable laws relative to company writing territories; provides guidance on claim issues arising in junior counsel's assigned territory.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.) and five years experience as insurance defense corporate counsel; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be licensed to practice law in one of the states in which Grinnell Mutual is admitted.
Advanced knowledge of property and casualty insurance policy language is required. Demonstrated ability to draft corporate documents and insurance policy language.
Ability to assimilate and analyze complex legal concepts and formulate and communicate legal opinions. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, other employees, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
For the full job description, visit https://grinnellmutual.com/about-us/careers
Since 1909, Grinnell Mutual has been a trusted source of quality insurance. We offer auto, farm, and business to cover whatever you need to protect. Everything we do serves a single purpose — keeping our promise to take care of our customers, agents, mutuals, and employees, no matter what tomorrow may bring.
We are the largest reinsurer of county mutuals in the U.S., and we work with more than 1,700 local independent agents and brokers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Our success depends upon talented people who believe in honoring relationships inside and outside of corporate walls. Choosing a career with Grinnell Mutual means choosing a work-life balance that’s unsurpassed in our industry. We go beyond a stellar benefits package because we believe in your quality of life — on and off the clock.