Legal Counsel

Starrcompanies; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Starr is seeking a Legal Counsel to support its insurance operations across the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Bermuda. The role reports to the regional Head of Legal for Commercial Insurance and involves regulatory, transactional and governance work.

You will work on insurance policy language, multi-jurisdictional matters and emerging legal issues, including regulatory changes. A strong background in commercial contracts and insurance law is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with experience in insurance sector and in-house or law-firm background.
• Experience with commercial contracts, regulatory matters and policy drafting preferred.
• Familiarity with PRA/FCA frameworks and Lloyd's environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for Starr’s insurance operations in the region, autonomously or with the Legal Team.
• Research and analyse legal issues, draft documents, and present recommendations to business colleagues.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements including contracts, distribution and services agreements, and confidentiality terms.
• Assist Underwriting teams with guidance on coverage issues and drafting policy language.
• Support governance activities with the Governance and Company Secretarial team and attend governance meetings.
• Manage disputes and litigation matters and interact with external counsel as needed.
• Provide regulatory updates and training on legal issues; monitor regulatory developments and adjust processes accordingly.
• Collaborate with the global Starr Group legal department and international teams.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Insurance law

Lloyd's knowledge

In-house experience

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Join Starr, a global leader in commercial insurance with over a century of expertise. We empower our employees to innovate, make impactful decisions, and build lasting client relationships worldwide. At Starr, you'll work in an entrepreneurial culture alongside accessible leaders, leveraging our financial strength and vast industry experience to deliver solutions for our clients, no matter how complex. Grow your career with a rapidly growing company that invests in its people and their ability to drive real progress.

Role Purpose

The Legal Counsel will support Starr’s insurance operations in the United Kingdom (both Lloyd’s and Company markets), Europe, Middle East and Bermuda region as a key member of the regional Legal team. The role will formally report to the regional Head of Legal for Commercial Insurance but will also be involved in in Legal and Regulatory matters relating to our growing Retail business.The role also give the successful canddate the opportunity gain experience across a wide range of jurisdictions, with exposure to insurance law, Lloyd’s, commercial/contractual, transactional, regulatory and governance considerations. The successful candidate will also demonstrate an interest in and willingness to learn other specialist areas including for example techology contracts, employment, and privacy matters. This is also an excellent opportunity for a lawyer to play a pivotal role in developing legal frameworks and processes (including in relation to emerging legal AI tools) and establishing key precedents.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for Starr’s insurance business conducted in the region, both autonomously and in support of other members of the Legal Team.
• Identify, research and analyse legal issues, draft key documents, and prepare summaries, reports and recommendations. Demonstrate the confidence and ability to present those recommendations directly to business colleagues in non-legal terms.
• Assist in the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial agreements for a variety of transactions, including commercial contracts, distribution and services agreements with brokers, outsourcing, confidentiality, and standard-form agreements.
• Alongside senior lawyers in the team, provide legal guidance and support to our Underwriting teams for all lines of business, including addressing inquiries regarding coverage issues; assisting with drafting insurance policy language and related product development and the compilation and structuring of our multinational offerings.
• Collaborate with and assist the Governance and Company Secretarial team on corporate governance activities as appropriate. The role will include opportunities to attend, present at and support senior governance committees.
• Support the management of disputes and litigation matters.
• Remain current on, and provide targeted communications to, colleagues around the risks and opportunities presented by regulatory developments and trends impacting Starr’s business, advising on adjustments/enhancements of processes and protocols as needed. Assist in the implementation of regulatory change projects and help maintain relevant policies and procedures.
• Assist in developing and providing trainings on topical legal issues.
• Collaborate closely with the wider Starr Group legal department globally and with colleagues in the organisation’s international locations.
• Support the Compliance function with advice on interpretation of laws, including sanctions (UK, EU, UN and OFAC), data protection and financial crime matters.

• Interact with and help to manage external counsel as required, driving value from law firm relationships.

Knowledge and Experience

• Qualified solicitor with gained within a law firm, insurance company or in-house legal team. Qualified paralegals or legal executives with a track record of relevant experience are also welcome to apply.
• Experience or demonstrable interest in commercial contracts, insurance law and regulatory matters.
• Knowledge of commercial insurance regulatory laws and general corporate laws.
• Understanding of the regulatory environment within which Starr operates, including the PRA and FCA regulatory frameworks. Knowledge or experience of Lloyd’s would be ideal but not essential.

Starr is an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer first class training and development opportunities to all employees. Our aim is to grow our own talent and bring out the best in people.