Associate Counsel

Protective Life; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pension plan

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Protective Life in Birmingham, Alabama, is seeking an Associate Counsel to join the Corporate Legal team. This entry-level legal role supports the variable insurance products business, focusing on product development, regulatory compliance, and SEC filings, under supervision of managing counsel.

You'll gain exposure to federal securities laws, insurance regulation, and fund relationships, collaborating with stakeholders to advance product initiatives while navigating multiple priorities in a

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited or Alabama-state-approved law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 0-2 years of legal experience; recent law school graduates with active license considered.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, project management, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with legal counsel and support to the Protection and Retirement Division on matters related to variable annuity and variable universal life products, including product development, regulatory filings, and ongoing compliance.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders within the Protection and Retirement Division on product changes, new product designs, underlying fund management, and operations, to support business goals and initiatives.
• Develop working knowledge of federal securities laws including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as they apply to the registration, regulatory compliance, and maintenance of variable insurance products and RILAs.
• Assist with the preparation and filing of Securities and Exchange Commission registration statements for variable annuity and registered indexed linked annuity (Form N-4), variable universal life (Form N-6), and other required filings under Rule 24F-2, N-CEN, Rule 485, Rule 497, 497VPI (Initial Summary Prospectuses), 497VPU (Updating Summary Prospectuses), and N-VP (Annual Notices).
• Assist with the review and maintenance of underlying fund legal arrangements including fund related agreements (Fund Participation, Administrative Services, and other ancillary agreements) and any amendments thereto. Assist with the response to underlying fund certification requests to meet any required due diligence and compliance requirements
• Support legal due diligence and integration efforts related to acquisition of variable products
• Other job duties as assigned by managing counsel and senior attorneys

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA Accredited or Alabama State Approved law school

Job description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.

We help protect our customers against life's uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you'll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

The Associate Counsel, as a member of the Corporate Legal team, provides legal support to the company's variable insurance products business, primarily assisting with matters related to variable universal life, variable annuity, fixed, and registered index-linked annuity (RILA) product development and regulatory compliance. This is an entry-level legal role designed to provide exposure to federal securities laws, insurance product regulation, underlying mutual fund relationships, and regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Associate Counsel will work under the direction and supervision of managing counsel, senior attorneys, and will work with an established experienced team of legal analysts. This role impacts the achievement of customer, operational, and sales/business goals.

This is a hybrid position (3 days on-site, 2 days remote) with offices in Birmingham, Alabama.

Responsibilities

• Assist with legal counsel and support to the Protection and Retirement Division on matters related to variable annuity and variable universal life products, including product development, regulatory filings, and ongoing compliance
• Collaborate with key stakeholders within the Protection and Retirement Division on product changes, new product designs, underlying fund management, and operations, to support business goals and initiatives
• Develop working knowledge of federal securities laws including the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as they apply to the registration, regulatory compliance, and maintenance of variable insurance products and RILAs
• Assist with the preparation and filing of Securities and Exchange Commission registration statements for variable annuity and registered indexed linked annuity (Form N-4), variable universal life (Form N-6), and other required filings under Rule 24F-2, N-CEN, Rule 485, Rule 497, 497VPI (Initial Summary Prospectuses), 497VPU (Updating Summary Prospectuses), and N-VP (Annual Notices)
• Assist with the review and maintenance of underlying fund legal arrangements including fund related agreements (Fund Participation, Administrative Services, and other ancillary agreements) and any amendments thereto. Assist with the response to underlying fund certification requests to meet any required due diligence and compliance requirements
• Support legal due diligence and integration efforts related to acquisition of variable products
• Other job duties as assigned by managing counsel and senior attorneys

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA Accredited or Alabama State Approved law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 0-2 years of legal experience and will consider a recent law school graduate with an active license as stated above
• Exceptional communication, organizational, project management, and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively in a team environment

Employee Benefits

We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health. Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective's platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company's benefit plans.

Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability

If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.

Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.

Protective's targeted compensation for this position is $80k-$95k. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. The range listed is just one component of Protective's total compensation package for employees. This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance.