Assistant Vice President and Associate General Counsel
Berkley See More Job Openings by This Employer
"Our Company provides a state of predictability which allows brokers and agents to act with confidence."
Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation has grown from a small investment management firm into one of the largest commercial lines property and casualty insurers in the United States.
Along the way, we’ve been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, become a Fortune 500 Company, joined the S&P 500, and seen our gross written premiums exceed $10 billion.
Today the Berkley brand comprises more than 60+ businesses worldwide and is divided into two segments: Insurance and Reinsurance and Monoline Excess. Led by our Executive Chairman, founder and largest shareholder, William. R. Berkley and our President and Chief Executive Officer, W. Robert Berkley, Jr., W.R. Berkley Corporation is well-positioned to respond to opportunities for future growth.
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.
The Assistant Vice President & Associate General Counsel (“AGC”) is a licensed attorney with ten (10) or more years of relevant work experience. The AGC provides an array of legal services to internal clientele and assists the General Counsel with day-to-day oversight of the legal affairs of the organization. In this position the AGC will provide research, advice, and other assistance as requested. The AGC will bear specific, primary legal responsibilities for designated operating units under the general oversight of the General Counsel. The AGC will also be an active member of the Regional Compliance Group and be responsible for certain in-scope compliance functions for designated operating units within the Regional Segment Compliance Group. The AGC will provide counsel and legal support to management in varying functional departments within designated operating units and coordinate with outside legal counsel as required. This position requires a high degree of inherent discretion, business acumen and decision-making confidence.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Serve as the primary legal resource for designated Berkley Insurance Company operating units.
• Supervise and direct other legal staff as assigned.
• Assists General Counsel with legal and regulatory matters as assigned.
• Researches and analyzes the law on complex issues and prepares briefings on such matters for the General Counsel, management and employees as required.
• Bears full accountability for service of specific internal clients on both routine and specific basis.
• Serves as policy language resource for drafting and product review. Assists in the drafting and revision of policy language.
• Reviews company work product and protocols to assure compliance with applicable law and to reduce legal risk.
• Manages assigned in-scope compliance functions for the Regional Segment Compliance Group.
• Monitors and updates company leadership and staff on material changes to applicable local, State and Federal laws and provides legal interpretation of same, as needed.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities including periodic management of special projects with other departmental staff.
• Develops and maintains strong, positive relationships with key constituencies, including Berkley legal and compliance leaders.
Supervisory Requirements:
• This role will have supervisory responsibilities.
• The AGC will supervise designated legal and/or compliance team staff as primary supervisor.
The AGC must be able to clearly and effectively communicate with a diverse group of constituents in both verbal and non-verbal mediums. Possess a basic understanding of the business of insurance including commercial lines property and casualty products and the various laws and regulations impacting the business of the company.
Additional required skills and abilities include:
• Strong legal research skills
• The ability to work quickly in high pressure situations without sacrificing quality or accuracy
• A commitment to detailed accurate work product
• Excellent organizational skills
• Flexibility in work scheduling
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• The ability to maintain a calm, professional disposition while working in high stress environments
• A high degree of comfort with uncertainty
• The ability to build and sustain effective professional relationships throughout the organization and with key third party resources and stakeholders
• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality and attorney client privilege.
Licenses/Certifications/Designations:
The AGC must be a licensed attorney able to practice in the State of Iowa; or eligible to become so licensed within 30 days of employment. Such licensure must be maintained throughout employment by the Company.
The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Education Requirement
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university, and a law degree from an American Bar Associated Accredited law school with 10 or more years of relevant work experience. Admitted to at least one state bar on an active basis and in good standing. Additional degrees and insurance certifications are not mandatory but are preferred.
