Counsel presso Sammons Financial Group

Overview:

This Counsel role will support the Legal Department’s Life & Annuity Operations Team.  This team provides day-to-day counsel on legal issues faced by the life insurance and annuity businesses of Sammons Financial Group.  This will include managing legal questions and document review and drafting.  The successful candidate will need to have experience in one or more of the following areas: life and annuity new business, underwriting, suitability, product development, post issue management and administration of life insurance and annuities, federal tax, and claims.

Responsibilities:

• Independently provide objective, thorough, timely and well-researched legal advice and counsel to business partners on legal matters, allowing management and key decision makers the ability to assess the legal risks of various courses of action to support Sammons Financial Group business initiatives and risk management strategies.
• Independently provide legal advice and counsel on legal questions related to Sammons Financial Group to ensure compliance with new and existing state, federal and local laws, statutes and regulatory requirements. This includes reviewing new laws and regulations and supporting their implementation with business partners.
• Independently provide legal advice and counsel on issues relating to product distribution, including through independent agents, insurance marketing organizations, broker dealers, registered investment advisers and banks and financial institutions.
• Independently provide legal advice and counsel on any one or more of the following areas of law and business units: corporate governance, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate, procurement and vendor management, claims management and litigation, human resources, agency services and compliance.
• Proactively identify potential legal issues and participate in addressing issues with senior levels of management, including formal presentations to senior management.
• Actively participate in trade associations and collaborate with Sammons Financial Group government relations to determine position on key pending legislation and regulatory changes.
• Independently provide legal advice and counsel on in-force policy and contract issues, including underwriting, claims management, product taxation, distributions, grace and lapse and reinstatement.
• Lead initiatives and collaborate with other attorneys and professionals in the Legal Department in managing Sammons Financial Group’s exposure to regulatory fines and penalties or other sanctions; share knowledge and, where required, implement changes to company procedures as a result of litigation and regulatory outcomes.
• Understand and aid in executing Sammons Financial Group strategy, business objectives and goals when providing legal advice and counsel.
• Draft and review policy forms, legal correspondence, agreements and releases without the need for supervision and oversight.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA accredited law school Required
• Minimum 8 years' relevant experience Preferred
• Experience in working with operating areas of a life insurance company and aiding in the development of sound legal and compliance policies and procedures Preferred
• Experience in law firm and/or in-house environments Preferred
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, practically and holistically about appropriate legal solutions
• Demonstrated ability to seize opportunities and work independently, efficiently and proactively on multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Ability to collaborate with a variety of individuals in a professional, patient and responsive manner
• Superior analytical, writing, oral communication, research, investigatory, advocacy, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze legal issues and to apply known or researched rules of law
• Demonstrated attention to detail, professional attitude and commitment to maintain confidentiality of records and information
• Desire to mentor other attorneys and professionals in the Legal Department
• A member in good standing of the Iowa Bar (or, admission to and in good standing with another bar enabling reciprocity and admission into the Iowa Bar) Required
• Occasional travel between office locations and conferences required

Suitability Requirements:• Due to the financial nature and level of accountability of this position, a credit and criminal background check is required - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires Sammons Financial Group Companies to notify you that, as a routine part of processing this application for employment, Sammons Financial Group may request a consumer report on you to verify all information contained in this application. Such report may include information about work-related behaviors, performance, character, general reputation, and personal characteristics, in addition to information about your previous employment, education, credit history and criminal records
Company Information:•Sammons Financial Group offers a competitive benefit package that includes: Health, Dental, Vision, Company Paid Retirement, PTO and Holiday Pay.
•Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a 100% company-funded retirement plan, so you can save for retirement without contributing a penny of your own paycheck.
•Healthy balance between work and personal lives. Friday afternoons off all year long, competitive PTO, and generous number of paid holidays.
•Our incentive program for defined goals subject to eligibility and performance. Monetary rewards are based on individual and/or overall company performance.
•Colleagues who support one another, model our core values, and drive our healthy, high-performing culture.Pay Range:USD $114,589.00 - USD $190,982.00 /Yr.Work Authorization/Sponsorship:At this time, we’re not considering candidates that need any type of immigration sponsorship now or in the future or those needing work authorization for this role (This includes, but is not limited to students on F1-OPT, F1-CPT, J-1, etc.) Candidarsi ora