US Legal Counsel

Aspen Insurance; Connecticut; On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspen Insurance is seeking an experienced in-house lawyer to act as a trusted advisor on US and international regulatory matters affecting the property and casualty insurance business. You will support Aspen entities by advising on legal risk, regulatory issues, and strategic initiatives, while upholding Aspen values in delivery and performance.

You will collaborate with internal legal teams and outside counsel, manage complex regulatory projects, and contribute to corporate secretary tasks and

Qualifications

• JD degree and state bar membership.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in insurance industry.
• CPCU and related designations are a plus, but not required.
• Strong ability to communicate technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation, leadership and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with outside counsel and key external stakeholders; report to management on non-claims litigation matters.
• Serve as lead attorney and trusted advisor to Aspen executives and internal clients globally.
• Provide general legal and compliance guidance on admitted and surplus lines insurance and reinsurance matters in the US.
• Draft and negotiate broker, delegated underwriting, claims servicing agreements and NDAs.
• Monitor regulatory developments, assist with filings and regulatory reporting; participate in training and qualifications.

Job description

About us

Since Aspen was founded in 2002, we have become a leading, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance company. We respond thoughtfully and creatively to find the best outcomes for our clients and business partners through carefully-tailored solutions.We believe the way we work is just as important as the work we do, and we are guided by our core values of respect, honesty, trust and professionalism.Aspen is a great place to develop your career offering an exciting and challenging environment where achievement is rewarded.

The role

Act as a trusted legal and regulatory advisor to the US and other Aspen insurance and/or reinsurance segments. Provide advice, support and services on a wide variety of complex legal and regulatory issues impacting the property and casualty insurance industry. Support business units and Aspen entities by advising on legal and regulatory risks to assist them in achieving objectives while protecting Aspen from undue risk. Our Aspen Values are expected to be reflected in the delivery and performance of every role.

Key accountabilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with outside counsel and other key external stakeholders and provide reports to Aspen management related to non-Claims litigation, including matters involving employee issues and producers, agents and brokers.
• Participate in Group forums and projects to ensure global operating excellence and enhanced inter-divisional cooperation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with all relevant internal legal teams across the group to provide excellent customer focus that meets stakeholder’s needs.
• Serve as lead attorney and key trusted advisor to Aspen executives and other internal clients in Bermuda, the UK and elsewhere.
• Provide generalist legal and compliance advice and serve as a subject matter expert in various [re]insurance-related areas, including:
• Legal and regulatory matters related to admitted and surplus lines insurance and reinsurance in the US, including Holding Company Act compliance, licensing, credit for reinsurance laws and monitoring federal and state regulatory developments
• Negotiation and drafting broker agreements, delegated underwriting agreements, claim servicing agreements, NDAs and similar contracts
• Assistance in corporate secretary matters related to US domiciled insurance companies and related entities
• Assistance in with regulatory reporting, which may include US state insurance filings and Group-level SEC and other filings
• Representing Aspen in connection with state and federal regulators, including responses to consumer complaints, state insurance exams and audits
• Assistance to the compliance function in drafting and maintaining policies that have a legal element as appropriate
• Monitor NAIC activities and state, federal and international legal and regulatory developments that impact Aspen;
• Such projects as the Aspen US CEO, the US General Counsel or the Group General Counsel may nominate
• Participate and undertake applicable professional, technical and career development training (delivered internally and externally) to include attainment of associated qualifications where required.

Skills & experience

• JD degree, member of a state bar and minimum 3 years’ experience in insurance industry
• CPCU and related designations a plus, but not required
• Leading edge knowledge of industry best practices in in-house legal services
• Knowledge of appropriate regulatory/statutory frameworks and how they impact on the insurance sectors
• Ability to communicate technical issues to lay audience
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships and trust at all levels internally and externally
• Ability to contribute to the development of strategy for the business
• Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence both directly and indirectly
• Excellent project management focus
• Strategic and innovative thinker
• Sound commercial judgement
• Entrepreneurial focus
• Excellent People management skills
• Strong reasoning capabilities – creative and lateral thinking, with strong problem-solving skills
• High impact presentation skills

Other

At Aspen we know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce is good for our people, good for our business and good for the environments in which we operate. We therefore welcome applications from people which allows us to draw on diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.