Senior Legal Counsel

Position Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Legal Counsel with a background in insurance looking to work in a fast paced, friendly and collaborative legal team. The role is based in London in the CNA Hardy Legal function, responsible for the International segment of the CNA Group. The responsibilities of the function span the operations of CNA in the UK, Europe and Asia. The Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial will be the primary legal adviser to the Commercial segment of the CNA Hardy business, operating across both UK company and Lloyd’s syndicate platforms.

The Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial shall provide support and advice to underwriters on matters relevant to underwriting including insurance law, general contract law, policy wordings and other legal issues, and keeping abreast of changes and developments in insurance law and practice.

As a key stakeholder to the Underwriting function, the role presents more than just a need for a legal viewpoint, bringing commercial and intellectual input as a valued adviser and trusted partner that allows a depth of interaction and involvement across all areas of underwriting practice and strategy.

A strong focus on understanding and advising on key underwriting documents including policy wordings and slips will be core to delivery of the legal support required. The Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial shall provide recommendations and advice, as required, on operational and regulatory aspects of insurance product design and policy documentation.

The role will be responsible for ensuring Underwriters are keep advised on the latest market and regulatory information in respect of insurance and policy wordings guidance through attendance at weekly underwriting meetings, training sessions and peer review will demonstrate the value that can be added by the Legal team.

Within the wider organisation, the role will work closely with key functions including with the Corporate & Governance Function, Claims Function and Compliance Function to ensure the provision of legal advice to Underwriting covers the full spectrum of responsibilities. Opportunities to work on IT contracts, Outsourcing and Procurement and Data Privacy will also be available.

Working in a small legal team there will also be an opportunity for leaning and development and to participate in other departmental projects and initiatives. These may include co-ordinating and managing projects and legal work-streams in partnership with other CNA Hardy functions, managing internal stakeholders and reporting and escalating matters as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Underwriting- will act as the legal business partner across the following Commercial & Lloyd’s segments which include the following Lines of Business:

• Commercial: Casualty, Construction, Life Science, Marine Liability & Logistics, Marine Cargo, Package Products, Property, Technology
• Lloyds: Casualty, Energy, Marine Liability, Marine Cargo, Power Generation, Fine Art & Specie, International Property, Property Binders, Political Violence and Terrorism

Insurance Distribution- working legal expertise across:

• All forms of Insurance Distribution, including TOBAs, Extra Commission Arrangements, Marketing Funding Arrangements and Work Transfers;
• Reinsurance law and practice including supporting finance arrangements to include reinsurance contracts/wordings both Treaty and Facultative, Trust Agreements and Commutations;
• Insurance Delegation including delegated underwriting authority agreements, lineslips and facility arrangements
• May perform other duties as required.

Specialist Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Experience in Property & Casualty lines of insurance and a strong understanding of some of the indicated insurance lines an advantage.
• Ability to review, redraft and analyse complex policy wordings and slip documentation essential.
• Commercial mind set which is able to balance legal concepts and issues against commercial realities, delivering balanced pragmatic legal advice.
• Experience of direct negotiation with third parties including lawyers, brokers and other counterparties.
• Legal Qualification to include a valid UK Practicing certificate.

General Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Excellent collaboration skills - someone who can work well with and influence all levels of the organisation from the Board through to junior staff, and our Continental and US teams; communicating complex legal concepts and advice in a clear manner, including training and presentations
• Project management skills - can manage assigned projects and priorities simultaneously, can manage large legal projects or legal aspects of large business and change projects and take responsibility for delivery of their workload with limited supervision
• Ability to negotiate and facilitate business outcomes
• Analytical skills - issues are identified and assessed within a commercial and legal framework, quickly and acted on decisively
• Established understanding of all basic areas and growing expertise in more complex areas of insurance business
• Ability to resolve short term problems while supporting long-term objectives.
• Ability to understand long-term business goals and contribute directly to their success
• Strong interpersonal skills required to interact effectively with relevant business areas and external contacts.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Solid computer skills including strong working knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and other business related software systems.
• Appropriate knowledge of all relevant regulatory and legal requirements applicable to the position
• Ability to travel as business needs dictate