Overview
A well-established, independent insurance services firm licensed in all 50 states is seeking a General Counsel to lead its legal team. Founded in 1987, the organization has experienced consistent and exponential growth by attracting entrepreneurial talent and fostering a collaborative culture. The General Counsel will serve as the senior legal executive and strategic advisor to the CEO, Board of Managers, and executive leadership team.
Responsibilities
Executive Leadership and Legal Strategy
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team.
- Provide strategic legal counsel to the CEO and Board.
- Develop and execute legal strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Advise on legal, regulatory, operational, financial, reputational, and compliance risks.
- Collaborate with business leaders to identify risks and develop practical solutions.
Corporate Governance
- Advise the Board and executive management on governance, fiduciary duties, and best practices.
- Oversee corporate governance activities, including board materials, resolutions, and entity management.
- Maintain corporate records, organizational documents, and subsidiary governance requirements.
- Support board committees and perform corporate secretary functions.
Transactions and Corporate Development
- Lead legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments.
- Direct legal due diligence and negotiate transaction documents.
- Structure transactions to manage risk and support growth.
- Advise on financing arrangements, strategic partnerships, and complex commercial transactions.
Commercial Contracting
- Oversee enterprise-wide contracting processes.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and approve significant commercial agreements.
- Develop templates, policies, and controls to improve contract management.
- Ensure contractual commitments comply with regulatory and business requirements.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
- Design, implement, and oversee compliance programs and internal controls.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting the organization.
- Provide guidance on insurance, lending, employment, privacy, and other applicable laws.
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures to mitigate legal and operational risk.
- Lead enterprise legal risk assessments and mitigation initiatives.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
- Oversee internal legal staff handling litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, and investigations.
- Manage internal and outside counsel and litigation budgets.
- Develop dispute resolution strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Advise business leaders on litigation exposure and risk management.
Employment and Labor Matters
- Provide strategic guidance on employment-related issues including workforce management, restrictive covenants, investigations, discrimination claims, wage and hour matters, and executive compensation.
- Support Human Resources and executive leadership on sensitive personnel matters.
- Review and negotiate employment, separation, and restrictive covenant agreements.
Data Privacy and Information Security
- Partner with IT and Security teams to develop and maintain privacy and cybersecurity compliance programs.
- Advise on data governance, information security incidents, and emerging privacy regulations.
- Review and update privacy, security, and records management policies.
Legal Department Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Legal Department team.
- Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and budgets.
- Allocate legal resources efficiently and manage outside counsel relationships.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service excellence.
Requirements
Education
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Active license and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
Experience
- Minimum of 10-12 years of relevant legal experience.
- Significant in-house legal leadership experience, preferably as Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or senior law firm partner.
- Experience overseeing mergers and acquisitions, litigation, employment law matters, regulatory compliance, and commercial transactions.
- Experience leading and developing legal teams.
- Insurance industry experience is required.
Skills and Abilities
- Exceptional business judgment and strategic thinking.
- Proactive and hands-on approach.
- Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Superior legal research, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
- Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational and project management abilities.
- High ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Other Requirements
- Occasional travel to corporate offices, events, board meetings, regulatory proceedings, industry conferences, and acquisition-related activities may be required.
Compensation and Benefits
The organization offers competitive compensation, a generous benefits package, paid time off and holiday pay, paid training, continued education support, company-sponsored stress management programs and activities, and opportunities to participate in community service.
Location
The position may require travel to various corporate locations and events across the United States.
Additional Information
Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered. For roles requiring a state insurance license, candidates must meet state licensing requirements, not be disqualified or barred from licensure, and comply with applicable federal regulations related to insurance business conduct.