Legal Counsel

Excellus BCBS; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work case-by-case

Job summary

Excellus BCBS in Buffalo, NY, seeks a Legal Counsel to serve as a strong legal generalist on a collaborative, business-aligned team. You will provide practical, timely, and context-driven legal advice to enable informed decision-making and advance enterprise objectives.

The role requires JD, NYS Bar admission, and 5+ years of practice, with preference for healthcare/health insurance experience. Hybrid work arrangement and cross-functional engagement are expected.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and admission to NYS Bar.
• Five or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney.
• Healthcare/health insurance industry knowledge preferred.
• Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Strong research, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Builds trusted relationships with internal clients and cross-functional partners.
• Communicates legal advice clearly to non-legal audiences.
• Analyzes legal risk and provides actionable guidance aligned to business objectives.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a broad range of agreements.
• Supports regulatory matters and interactions with state and federal agencies.
• Coordinates outside counsel and contributes to policy development.

Skills

Strong communication

Judgment & risk balancing

Legal analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Written & oral communication

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Admitted to New York State Bar

Job description

Job Description:

Summary:

Under the direction of assigned management, the Legal Counsel functions as a strong legal generalist on a collaborative, business aligned team. The Legal Counsel exercises sound judgment and excellent communication skills and balances risk while operating with a solutions-oriented approach. The focus of this role is to engage as a trusted business partner providing practical, timely, and context-driven legal advice to enable informed decision-making and advance enterprise objectives.

Essential Accountabilities:

• Supports Business-Aligned Decision-Making & Serve as a Trusted Business Partner
  • Builds strong, collaborative relationships with internal clients, legal department colleagues, and cross functional partners, grounded in trust, transparency, and shared accountability.
  • Communicate legal advice clearly, concisely, and professionally, tailoring messages for non-legal audiences to support timely, informed decision making.
  • Anticipates business and regulatory issues by understanding the operational environment, strategic priorities and engaging early to help shape outcomes.
  • Engages in difficult or sensitive conversations directly, respectfully, and constructively, assuming positive intent and seeking to understand differing perspectives.
• Provides Comprehensive Legal Support
  • Provides a full range of legal services for assigned practice areas and business partners, translating legal risk into clear, actionable guidance aligned to business objectives, timelines, and the Company’s risk tolerance.
  • Conducts thorough legal analysis and factual investigation, exercising sound judgment and applying relevant laws, regulations, and precedents to real world business issues.
  • Evaluates legal and regulatory risk in context and recommend options and mitigation strategies that support business objectives, enterprise strategies and timelines.
  • Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a broad range of agreements and advises on related legal issues.
  • Supports regulatory matters, audits, and interactions with state and federal agencies, as needed.
  • Represents the company in negotiations, meetings, and proceedings within assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Maintains current knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and enforcement trends affecting health insurance operations and proactively advise on business impacts.
  • Coordinates and manages outside counsel strategically, ensuring their use is appropriate, cost effective, and aligned with business needs and legal risk.
  • Contributes to the development and evolution of policies, procedures, templates, and other similar initiatives.
• General
  • Shares knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices to improve efficiency, clarity, and consistency across both the legal team and other departments/stakeholders.
  • Commits to personal growth and development by actively seeking feedback and responding with action.
  • Consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity by supporting the Lifetime Healthcare Companies’ mission and values, adhering to the Corporate Code of Conduct, and leading to the Lifetime Way values and beliefs.
  • Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.
  • Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required.
  • Performs other functions as assigned by management.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar.
• Five or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney.
• Prior legal experience in the health care and/or health insurance industry preferred; knowledge of state and federal law and regulation governing the health care and/or health insurance industry.
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Strong research, problem-solving, critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills. Proficient and capable of handling moderately complex legal issues without oversight.
• Diligent, trustworthy, and accountable. Routinely demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work prolonged periods sitting and/or standing at a workstation and working on a computer.
• Hybrid work environment which mixes the traditional office environment with flexible work-from-home arrangements.
• Periodic travel to regional offices for meetings and other important connection activities.

************

In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Compensation Range(s):

Minimum: $123,304 - Maximum: $221,948

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s minimum qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package.

Other components of the total rewards package may include:

• participation in group health and/or dental insurance
• retirement plan
• wellness program
• paid time away from work
• paid holidays

Please note: There may be opportunity for remote work within all jobs posted by the Excellus Talent Acquisition team. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.