Assistant General Counsel II (Coverage Attorney)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an advisory counsel to the Enterprise and business units on insurance coverage and extra-contractual disputes. The role involves research, opinions, depositions, and managing outside counsel to handle coverage and litigation.

Responsibilities include negotiations on settlements, leadership on training, and participation in major company projects.

Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor Degree and admission to the bar (in good standing) in employed state(s) required.
• Continuous learning and certification strongly preferred.
• Minimum two years in the insurance industry and one year in legal/compliance/regulatory work.

Responsibilities

• Apply legal principles and provide advisory guidance to enterprise and business units.
• Conduct legal research, draft opinions, and attend claim review meetings.
• Retain and manage outside panel counsel and oversee coverage/extra-contractual litigation.
• Participate in negotiations, including settlements, and lead training on major projects.
• Provide direction to legal staff and prepare for depositions/hearings/appeals.
• Identify risks and design controls; educate company personnel on legal matters.

Skills

Insurance laws

Complex issues

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Project management

Policy development

Contracting concepts

Contract drafting

Legal research

Ethics

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

UCC

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the General Counsel, this position will serve as an advisory capacity to the Enterprise and business units about insurance coverage and extra-contractual disputes and litigation. Conducts research where necessary, drafts brief legal opinions, attends claim review meetings to provide legal advice, examines records, conducts investigations, attends depositions and mediations, retains and manages outside panel counsel as needed, and manages coverage and extra-contractual litigation by and against the company. Participate in negotiations on behalf of the Company including settlements. In addition, this position will provide leadership and expertise on training and major company projects, as necessary.

Claims Focus

Conducts research where necessary, drafts brief legal opinions, attends claim review meetings to provide legal advice, examines records, conducts investigations, attends depositions and mediations, retains and manages outside panel counsel as needed, and manages coverage and extra-contractual litigation by and against the company.Participate in negotiations on behalf of the Company including settlements. In addition, this position will provide leadership and expertise on training and major company projects, as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES/TASKS

1. Responsible for applying legal principles, knowledge and skills based on experience.
2. Evaluates and selects appropriate legal techniques, procedures and criteria using judgment in solving legal issues.
3. Drafts and/or dictates legal correspondence and memorandums and works with minimal supervision on all assigned matters.
4. Conducts legal research and offers timely legal opinions and advice upon reasonable demand.
5. Provides objective assessment of risk areas.
6. Works on special projects as assigned.

Additional Claims Focus Responsibilities

• Give work directions to legal support professionals in the department.
• Work with outside counsel to prepare for and attend depositions.
• Prepare for and attend hearings and appeals.

Additional Responsibilities/Tasks

1. Responsible for handling complex assigned legal projects requiring originality and ingenuity.
2. Possesses a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures for the completion of difficult assignments.
3. Serves in an advisory capacity, making recommendations which may have an important bearing on the conduct of organizational business including risk assessment, identifying outcomes and assessing the probability of any of those outcomes.
4. Identifies risks and designs and/or implements controls to mitigate those risks.
5. Research, plan, organize and conduct programs, seminars, conferences, and/or presentations for company personnel to educate on legal matters.
6. Actively participates in company and community events.
7. Requires high degree of independent and creative judgment.

This position description identifies the responsibilities and tasks typically associated with the performance of the position. Other relevant essential functions may be required.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

A Juris Doctor Degree and admission to the bar (in good standing) in employed state(s) required.Continuous learning, as defined by the Company’s learning philosophy, is required. Certification or progress toward certification is highly preferred and encouraged.

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the insurance industry and one year of legal, compliance and/or regulatory experience.

Additional Experience Required

A minimum of four (4) years of legal experience, with two years of experience in the insurance industry preferred.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES (SKA) REQUIRED

• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing insurance.
• Ability to understand complex legal issues.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; ability to interface with legal counsel and business groups at all levels of the organization.
• Effective leadership, management, and advocacy skills.
• Strong problem solver; excellent project management skills; attention to detail.
• Skilled in development of policies, procedures, training methods, and materials.
• Basic knowledge of corporate policies and procedures.
• Basic to working knowledge of contracting concepts and Uniform Commercial Code.
• Ability to draft and review simple contractual instruments.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret statutes, general business and legal periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Highly developed sense of ethics and integrity.

Additional SKA

1. In-depth knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing the enterprise.
2. Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
3. Illustrates sound judgment and can encourage others to use professional judgment.
4. Ability to develop optimistic and collaborative relationships both internally and externally.
5. Possesses understanding of the business and has an appreciation of financial/analytical issues and profit and loss implications.
6. Significant ability to influence senior corporate management.
7. Ability to perform in complex cross-functional business environment.
8. Must be able to develop rapport with client and to engender confidence with the client and in their own professional competence and judgment.
9. Excellent presentation, teambuilding, and leadership skills.
10. Good analytical, negotiation, organizational, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
11. Qualified to effectively present information and respond to questions from courts, regulators, clients, customers, and the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is mostly performed in an office setting with no unusual hazards. Travel is required. Must be able to drive an automobile and have valid operator license. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to handle documents, books, manuals; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum education, experience, skills, knowledge, and ability levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description.

Pay Range

Actual compensation decision relies on the consideration of internal equity, candidate’s skills and professional experience, geographic location, market, and other potential factors. It is not standard practice for an offer to be at or near the top of the range, and therefore a reasonable estimate for this role is between $121,500 and $203,400.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is valued and we will not tolerate discrimination or harassment in any form. Candidates for the position stated above are hired on an "at will" basis. Nothing herein is intended to create a contract.