Provides legal counsel to internal departments advising on laws,
policies, practices, and procedures to ensure corporate legal adherence and
compliance. Monitors and provides direction and recommendations to outside
counsel for claims in litigation for assigned states.
This position may be filled at either an intermediate or senior
level, depending upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
Position can be performed in our Grinnell or West Des Moines
Office; or Work-From-Home if based in one of the following states: Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
As counsel at Grinnell Mutual, you will be key to nurturing
relationships both outside and inside the company, carrying out the company’s
mission as a mutual company to serve and protect its customers and guarding its
top-notch reputation in the industry.
You’ll also help stakeholders within the company understand
Grinnell Mutual’s legal and compliance responsibilities for policies and
procedures, while communicating and demonstrating our dedication to a culture
of ethical practices — both internally and externally — and a customer-centric
approach to doing business, one of the company’s hallmarks.
Responsibilities
- Manages litigated files claim files utilizing outside
counsel from notice of suit through resolution and dismissal. Monitors and
maintains adequate file reserves based on file reviews and adjusts
reserves as file warrants. Determines settlement ranges and provides
authority to outside counsel. Reviews billing statements from outside
counsel for accuracy and reasonableness.
- Analyzes legal pleadings and claims files to provide
written and verbal feedback to adjusters and/or counsel regarding file
status, progression, and legal opinion requests. Corresponds via phone,
e-mail, or regular mail with outside defense counsel, insureds, and others
regarding claims and suits.
- Conducts legal research for the claims division and
assigned corporate responsibilities to provide supportive legal advice as
needed. Informs management and staff counsel of pertinent developments of
law, legal interpretations, court rulings, and regulations that may impact
corporate units. Monitors and stays abreast of updates to policies and
regulations governing property/casualty claims.
- Researches, analyzes, summarizes, and develops
presentations and projects for specific assignments or audiences. Provides
training for varied corporate personnel on legal topics, claims handling
practices, or other topics as requested.
- Completes special projects and assignments as assigned
by leadership. Analyzes, applies innovative solutions, and shares best
practices to improve efficiencies. Utilizes all available resources including
cross-departmental, inter-departmental, and/or professional organizations.
- Attends internal and external meetings, including
committee assignments or management meetings and contributes to meetings
by asking questions or presenting information verbally or in written form.
Represents General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel in management
meetings or company presentations as requested.
- Serves as a leader by consistently demonstrating
superior performance in daily work and in project assignments. Provides
assistance and guidance to peers.
- Coaches or mentors junior counsel on company and legal
guidelines, policies and procedures. Instructs junior counsel on the
applicable laws relative to company writing territories; provides guidance
on claim issues arising in junior counsel's assigned territory.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisor
responsibilities
- Supervises and directs work of outside counsel as it
relates to Grinnell Mutual cases.
Responsibility &
decision making authority
- Approves outside counsel assignments within the
approved counsel list.
- Approves settlements within authority level and relays
authority level to outside counsel.
- Manages file reserves and adjusts accordingly within
authority level.
- Determines settlement ranges.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor Degree (J.D.) and five years experience as
insurance defense corporate counsel; or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Must be licensed to practice law in one of the
states in which Grinnell Mutual is admitted.
- Advanced knowledge of property and casualty insurance
policy language is required. Demonstrated ability to draft corporate
documents and insurance policy language.
