Responsibilities:  Ensures that company business decisions, policies and programs are developed and applied in full recognition of all legal and regulatory requirements and risks related to life and health insurance industry standards. Provides substantial counsel and guidance regarding numerous marketing and operational matters to Company management.   Protects the interests of the Company in the event of conflict and represents the Company in dealings with regulatory agencies.  This position requires management participation and Company oversight contributions in addition to those normally associated with a legal role.

Major Responsibilities:

*Preserve the assets of the Company by managing the legal resolution of disputes including lawsuits and claims made by third parties.  Involves the selection and supervision of outside counsel or legal experts in the event of actual or threatened litigation or potentially significant adverse regulatory action.

*Assess the Company's legal, compliance and market conduct risks in connection with numerous topics including Company operations as well as solicitation/application activities and initiatives. *Counsel and assist management in developing alternate procedures that enable the Company to compete successfully at higher levels of risk without abandoning its commitment to observing legalities and ethical market conduct.

*Manage the activities of the Compliance area staff to include the drafting and filing of new and revised policy and application forms, as well as the coordination with operating departments regarding product requirements and regulatory changes.

*Evaluate and counsel management regarding legal obligations of the Company in connection with third party agreements. Advise with respect to the drafting and contribute to the maintenance of numerous agreements between the Company and third parties such as managing general underwriters, reinsurers and service providers. 

*Serve as an advisory resource to Company units as to a variety of non-routine legal and general operational topics involving sales practices, underwriting standards, claim resolution, hiring issues, etc.

*Monitor laws and additional compliance mandates and assist to create and implement company policies and procedures to properly address regulatory issues.

*Advance the Company's internal Code of Conduct.

*Law Degree with admission to the New York Bar; other State Bar admissions may be considered.

*10 - 15 years experience in Insurance Law and home office life insurance operations; other corporate or law firm practice may be considered.

*Ability to grasp essentials of complex business issues that have legal, compliance and ethical overtones.

*Ability to address tasks and issues involving a combination of operational disciplines that cross organizational boundaries.

*The ability to think creatively, from a legal perspective, on matters such as handling difficult claims, lawsuits and finding a path to do cutting edge business projects in accord with legal requirements.

*The ability to be flexible and responsive to the changing business environment. 

*Ability to create an atmosphere of mutual respect in the interplay of operational, business and legal perspectives.

*Excellent communication skills.

*Ability to evaluate and accept risk within prudent limits.

*The ability to take actions to maintain the integrity of the Company's reputation with the public, regulatory authorities and the Company's business clients.