Associate Counsel

Sammons Financial Group • West Des Moines, IA

12d

About The Position

We are seeking an Associate Counsel to join our Legal Department supporting the Life & Annuity Operations Team. In this role, you will work closely with business partners across operations, sales, compliance, and product teams to provide practical legal guidance related to the development, distribution, and administration of life insurance and annuity products.
This position is ideal for an attorney who enjoys building relationships and working closely with business partners to solve operational legal issues and develop solutions in a highly regulated financial services environment.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA accredited law school Required
• Minimum 3 years' relevant experience Preferred
• Ability to think strategically, practically and holistically about appropriate legal solutions
• Demonstrated ability to work 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
• 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
• 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
• 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.)

Nice To Haves

• Experience in life insurance, annuities or financial services industry Preferred

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Provide legal advice and counsel on legal questions related to Sammons Financial Group’s business operations, including any one or more of the following areas of law and business units: corporate governance, human resources, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate, procurement and vendor management, claims management and litigation, agency services, compliance and other general insurance regulatory matters.
• Provide legal advice and counsel on issues relating to the Iowa Holding Company Act, corporate governance, reinsurance and finance (e.g. debt capital markets, reserve financing transactions and investments). Manage reporting requirements under the Iowa Holding Company Act.
• 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.
• Provide legal advice and counsel on in-force policy and contract issues, including underwriting, claims management, product taxation, distributions, grace and lapse and reinstatement.
• 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 Sammons Financial Group strategy, business objectives and goals when providing legal advice and counsel.
• Draft and review policy forms, legal correspondence, agreements, contracts and releases.
• Develop relationships with outside legal counsel, as appropriate, and in collaboration with other attorneys in the Legal Department, manage outside counsel.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree