Underwriting Counsel - Environmental Division

Great American Insurance Group; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) match

Employee stock purchase plan

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Great American Insurance Group seeks an Underwriting Counsel to partner with underwriting teams by providing legal guidance on coverage and contracts. You will draft and revise policy language, evaluate agreements, and advise on regulatory developments.

The role requires a JD, active license, and 3–5 years in insurance law. Hybrid onsite work options exist with remote flexibility.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience, preferably with a law firm handling insurance coverage matters or within an insurer’s legal/claims group.
• Experience with insurance coverage analysis, policy interpretation, or related matters is preferred.
• Environmental law or environmental insurance experience is a plus.
• Strong ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly to business partners.
• Working knowledge of underwriting and claims concepts, practices, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance to underwriters on insurance coverage and contracts.
• Review and evaluate contracts and documents to assess impact on coverage and decisions.
• Draft and revise policy language and endorsements to support underwriting needs.
• Advise management on legal matters and potential exposures.
• Collaborate with underwriters and participate in regular meetings to provide legal perspective.
• Monitor regulatory developments and their business impact.
• Assist in preparing internal reports and underwriting-related documentation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legal and regulatory developments.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Independent work

MS Office

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Be Here. Be Great. Working for a leader in the insurance industry means opportunity for you. Great American Insurance Group’s member companies are subsidiaries of American Financial Group. We combine a \"small company\" culture where your ideas will be heard with \"big company\" expertise to help you succeed. With over 30 specialty and property and casualty operations, there are always opportunities here to learn and grow.

At Great American, we value and recognize the benefits derived when people with different backgrounds and experiences work together to achieve business results. Our goal is to create a workplace where all employees feel included, empowered, and enabled to perform at their best.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Great American Insurance Group’s Environmental Division provides a comprehensive portfolio of environmental insurance solutions to organizations across a wide range of industries. Our products can be customized to address the unique risks and exposures of each client.

We are seeking an Underwriting Counsel to serve as a trusted legal partner to our underwriting team. This role will provide guidance on insurance coverage and contractual matters, support the development of policy language, and help the business navigate emerging legal and regulatory issues.

Candidates may be located in Exton, PA; Cincinnati, OH; New York; Northern Kentucky; or Massachusetts.

Great American’s culture is built on connection, shared learning, and strong relationships. Employees in this role are expected to work onsite four days per week, Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely one day per week.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and guidance to underwriters on a broad range of insurance coverage, contractual, and related legal matters.
• Reviews and evaluates contracts, agreements, and other legal documents to assess their potential impact on insurance coverage and underwriting decisions.
• Drafts, reviews, and revises policy language and endorsements to support underwriting needs and business objectives.
• Advises management on legal matters and potential areas of liability or exposure.
• Partners closely with underwriting professionals and participates in regular collaboration meetings to provide legal perspective throughout the underwriting process.
• Monitors proposed and existing regulatory and legislative developments and communicates their potential impact on the business.
• Supports the preparation and administration of internal reports and other legal or underwriting-related documentation.
• Maintains current knowledge of relevant legal, regulatory, insurance, and industry developments.

Job Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience, preferably with a law firm handling insurance coverage matters or within an insurance carrier’s legal or claims organization.
• Experience with insurance coverage analysis, policy interpretation, or related insurance matters strongly preferred.
• Environmental law or environmental insurance experience is a plus.
• Working knowledge of fundamental underwriting and claims concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and communicate complex legal concepts clearly to business partners.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Business Unit

Environmental

Salary Range

$117,000.00 -$165,000.00

Benefits

We offer competitive benefits packages for full-time and part-time employees*. Full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness plans, parental leave, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time and eligible part-time employees also enjoy Paid Time Off and paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, and commuter benefits.

Compensation varies by role, level, and location and is influenced by skills, experience, and business needs. Your recruiter will provide details about benefits and specific compensation ranges during the hiring process. Learn more at http://www.gaig.com/careers.

• Excludes seasonal employees and interns.