Counsel II

Erie Insurance Group; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 139,559 - 222,932; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

401(k)

Job summary

Erie Insurance Group in Erie, PA, seeks Counsel I–III to provide legal counsel on insurance claims and litigation, and to direct outside counsel as needed. The role offers opportunities across the Claims Legal Department with potential advancement to higher levels based on experience and qualifications.

Requirements include a J.D./LL.B., at least ten years of related experience in corporate or insurance law, and admission to practice in any state (reciprocity or in-house options may apply).

Qualifications

• J.D. or L.L.B. degree from an accredited law school required.
• Ten years of related experience, preferably in corporate and/or insurance law, required.
• Admitted to practice, and in good standing, in at least one state; if not admitted in Pennsylvania, eligible for admission by reciprocity, limited in-house admission, or examination required.
• This position may require travel on short notice and may include overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Assists with the organization and direction of the company's legal activities.
• Assists in directing the defense of the company against suits or claims, and assists in initiating legal actions to support the company's claims against others.
• Provides legal counsel and guidance to officers and other personnel on corporate and operational matters involving legal problems.
• Prepares or reviews proposed contracts, leases and other formal agreements and legal instruments in order to safeguard the company's interests.
• Drafts and revises insurance contracts and related documents to ensure conformity with applicable statutes, regulations, administrative orders, circulars, bulletins and other applicable legal authority.
• Researches and interprets statutes, regulations, case law, insurance department bulletins and other applicable legal authority.

Skills

Legal counsel

Contract review

Regulatory compliance

Education

J.D. or L.L.B. degree

Job description

Division Or Field Office

Law Division

Department of Position

Claims Legal Department

Work From

Corporate Office, Erie PA

Salary Range

$139,559.00 - $222,932.00 *

Salary range is for this level and may vary based on actual level of role hired for. This range represents a national range and the actual salary will depend on several factors including the scope and complexity of the role and the skills, education, training, credentials, location (State) based on ERIE's geographical differences, and experience of an applicant, as well as level of role for which the successful candidate is hired. Position may be eligible for an annual bonus payment.

At Erie Insurance, you’re not just part of a Fortune 500 company; you’re also a valued member of a diverse and inclusive team that includes more than 6,000 employees and over 13,000 independent agencies.

Our Employees work in the Home Office complex located in Erie, PA, and in our Field Offices that span 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Benefits That Go Beyond The Basics

• Premier health, prescription, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents. Coverage begins your first day of work.
• Low contributions to medical and prescription premiums. We currently pay up to 97% of employees’ monthly premium costs.
• Pension. We are one of only 13 Fortune 500 companies to offer a traditional pension plan. Full‑time employees are vested after five years of service.
• 401(k) with up to 4% contribution match. The 401(k) is offered in addition to the pension.
• Paid time off. Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, bereavement days and parental leave.
• Career development, including a tuition reimbursement program for higher education and industry designations.

Additional benefits include company‑paid basic life insurance; short‑and long‑term disability insurance; orthodontic coverage for children and adults; adoption assistance; fertility and infertility coverage; well‑being programs; paid volunteer hours for service to your community; and dollar‑for‑dollar matching of your charitable gifts each year.

Position Summary

The hiring manager will consider candidates for the Counsel I, Counsel II, or Counsel III positions. Level of position offered will depend upon the depth and breadth of selected candidate's experience and qualifications.

Assists with providing legal counsel and guidance on ordinary and special business activities and operations, and/or insurance claims and litigation, to ensure maximum protection of ERIE's legal rights and maintenance of operations and activities within the limits prescribed by law. Directs or interfaces with outside legal counsel in the defense of ERIE against lawsuits or claims, or the prosecution of ERIE's claims against others.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the organization and direction of the company's legal activities.
• Assists in directing the defense of the company against suits or claims, and assists in initiating legal actions to support the company's claims against others.
• Provides legal counsel and guidance to officers and other personnel on corporate and operational matters involving legal problems.
• Prepares or reviews proposed contracts, leases and other formal agreements and legal instruments in order to safeguard the company's interests. Reviews drafts of ERIE's insurance policies, forms and endorsements.
• Drafts and revises insurance contracts and related documents to ensure conformity with applicable statutes, regulations, administrative orders, circulars, bulletins and other applicable legal authority.
• Researches and interprets statutes, regulations, case law, insurance department bulletins and other applicable legal authority. Provides legal advice and guidance to various departments of the company.
• Provides legal research, advice and guidance on insurance claims.
• Reviews proposed and existing legislation affecting the Erie Insurance Group and advises and consults with General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Senior Counsel on the position of the company with regard to such matters.
• Counsels and advises corporate personnel on legal issues including, but not limited to, those related to real and personal property, taxes, advertising, trademarks, copyright and promotion programs, contracts, personnel matters, public relations, underwriting and claims interpretation.
• Participates in trade associations and regulatory and legislative hearings and meetings as directed or requested.
• Handles legal assignments as directed or requested.

The first five duties listed are the functions identified as essential to the job. Essential functions are those job duties that must be performed in order for the job to be accomplished.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent. Employees are required to follow any other job‑related instruction and to perform any other duties as requested by their supervisor, or as become evident.

Capabilities

• Values Diversity
• Self‑Development
• Nimble Learning
• Collaborates
• Information Management Skills
• Customer Focus
• Cultivates Innovation
• Job‑Specific Knowledge
• Instills Trust
• Optimizes Work Processes (IC)
• Ensures Accountability
• Decision Quality

Qualifications

Minimum Educational Requirements

J.D. or L.L.B. degree from an accredited law school required.

Additional Experience

• Ten years of related experience, preferably in corporate and/or insurance law, required.
• Knowledge or experience with insurance or financial industry preferred.
• Admitted to practice, and in good standing, in at least one state; if not admitted in Pennsylvania, eligible for admission by reciprocity, limited in‑house admission, or examination required.
• This position may require the incumbent to travel on short notice and may include overnight stays.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting/Moving 0‑20 lbs (Occasional); 20‑50 lbs (Occasional); over 50 lbs using lifting aide equipment (Occasional).
• Driving (Occasional).
• Pushing/Pulling/moving objects, equipment with wheels (Occasional).
• Manual Keying/Data Entry/inputting information/computer use (Often – 20‑50%).
• Climbing/accessing heights (Rarely).