Senior Legal Specialist, Corporate Benefits & Employment Law Team

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.          

The Hartford is an insurance company with a wide range of other products and financial services. We have a strong, professional legal department, with attorneys focused on employee benefits and executive compensation. We are committed to providing exceptional legal services and maintaining a collaborative and supportive work environment. We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies.  Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too.  Join our team as we help shape the future. 

The Senior Legal Specialist will joining the Corporate Benefits & Employment Law team, who provide legal advice on The Hartford's employment, immigration, labor, corporate benefits and executive compensation matters and will be primarily responsible for providing professional legal support services to attorneys working on The Hartford's employee benefit and executive compensation plans for its employees.  This role reports to an Assistant Vice President, Corporate Benefits Law.

The ideal candidate:

• Is a highly motivated, supportive and collaborative team player

• Is solution oriented, proactive and will look for opportunities to assist the team and advance the work

• Is able to work independently

• Strives to provide exceptional support

• Has excellent organizational skills

• Has strong interpersonal skills and is adept at building strong productive relationships within the team and with other stakeholders (e.g. HR, Law, Compliance, Communications)

• Enjoys learning and mastering highly technical subject matter

• Embraces and masters new technologies

This role offers an exciting opportunity to do interesting work collaborating with our attorneys and other stakeholders on a variety of complex legal matters in a supportive environment.  

While experience with employee benefits or executive compensation is a plus, other candidates are encouraged to apply.  

*This role requires a hybrid work arrangement with the expectation of working in the Hartford, CT office location 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).    

Responsibilities:

• Organize, update and maintain files (e.g. minutes, plan documents and amendments, filings), ensuring all documents are up-to-date and easily accessible. 

• Create and maintain helpful resources for the team (e.g. timelines, inventory of prior agreement provisions).

• Provide project management support to projects run by the team, including creating and maintaining project plans, scheduling project meetings, helping to drive the completion of tasks by assigned deadlines. 

• Conduct legal research on assigned issues.

• Conduct research within document management system for historical information (e.g. prior advice on participant claim, history of committee decisions on a topic).

• Track developments and help attorneys stay up-to-date on developing law, new guidance and emerging claims in litigation.

• Assist attorneys in the preparation of presentations and training materials.

• Assist attorneys in the drafting and/or the review of plan documents, plan amendments, summary plan descriptions and other required disclosures and participant communications. 

• Assist with the review of relevant contract provisions for benefit plan or other vendors.

• Assist attorneys in the preparation of the minutes. 

• Assist with the review of the annual and periodic filings (e.g. proxy statement, Form 5500, the Form 10-K).

• Coordinate with stakeholders (e.g. Law or HR colleagues) and third-party administrators. 

• Assist other legal professionals and attorneys on the team as requested.

Qualifications:

• Superior analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent judgement and discretion

• Strong technical skills, including attention to detail and document drafting

• Strong technical capabilities, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), legal document management systems (e.g. Dmsys/iManage), and legal research databases (e.g., Bloomberg, LexisNexis). 

• Familiarity with AI-enabled technology (e.g. Microsoft Co-Pilot)

• Strong organizational skills 

• Proven project management skills.

• Collaborative, proactive, team-oriented work style.

• Eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment with a positive attitude. 

• Willingness to develop knowledge in new areas and commitment to continuous improvement.

• College degree or other appropriate certification (e.g., paralegal certification) preferred.

• 3+ years paralegal experience. Paralegal experience in corporate law, employee benefits and/or executive compensation is a plus.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• A supportive and collaborative work environment.

• Access to ongoing training and education programs.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

The posted salary range reflects our ability to hire at different position titles and levels depending on background and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age

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