Senior Associate General Counsel – Insurance and Litigation Management

Hospital for Special Surgery•New York, NY

1d•$223,500 - $340,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Associate General Counsel – Insurance and Litigation Management supports and supplements the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer in managing the Hospital-sponsored captive insurance company, Medical Indemnity Assurance Company (MIAC). The role oversees Hospital-wide litigation and the insurance program, including insurance placement and renewal strategy. It reports to the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and regularly interacts with the MIAC Board. The role may also advise or report to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Surgeon-in-Chief as requested. The position leads day-to-day oversight of MIAC, insurance placements, and malpractice and general liability litigation. It works with Risk Management, Finance, brokers, external counsel, insurers, underwriters, actuaries, auditors, and business leaders. The role also reports on litigation and insurance risks to Board committees and supports senior and Board leadership in challenging situations, including those involving Medical Staff quality issues and reputational risk. This is a full-time position currently operating under a hybrid model. The role may require more frequent in-office presence depending on its demands, and the hybrid program is a pilot that may change. The Legal Department is currently located at 777 3rd Avenue, New York, NY.

Requirements

Advanced degree (JD).
At least 15 years in practice.
Excellent communication skills, presence, and judgment.
Ability to contribute across the organization with intellect, vision, and judgment.
Ability to work in a highly collaborative, collegial, immediate, results-oriented, and mission-driven culture.
Ability to manage numerous projects and competing priorities.
Commitment to HSS’s mission and values.
Ability to build relationships and use influence effectively across the organization.
Positive, professional, and collaborative demeanor, with strong business acumen.

Nice To Haves

Litigation experience.
Experience managing and directing medical malpractice and general liability insurance, either in-house or at a top insurance company.
Knowledge of and experience with captive insurance programs.
Knowledge of and experience with other lines of insurance.
Experience managing outside counsel, reviewing legal billing, and managing external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Provide primary day-to-day oversight of the MIAC captive insurance company and report to the MIAC Board.
Serve as the primary contact for external stakeholders, including the insurance manager, auditors, and actuaries.
Prepare and lead biannual offshore captive Board meetings.
Prepare MIAC audit documents in collaboration with Finance.
Set initial case reserves with the Chief Legal Officer and adjust reserves as litigation develops.
Prepare quarterly loss runs for actuaries and excess markets.
Chair the MIAC Board Claims Committee twice per year.
Oversee the Insurance Department and directly supervise the Director of Insurance.
Work with external brokers on renewal applications, insurance strategy, and placements.
Place insurance across organizational lines, including EPL, D&O, property, and cyber insurance.
Manage malpractice and general liability litigation with the AVP of Risk Management, including overseeing outside counsel, reviewing case reports, setting case strategy, attending mediations and settlement conferences, negotiating with plaintiff’s counsel, and attending and monitoring trials.
Manage litigation amid increased post-COVID litigation and a worsening malpractice environment while maintaining strong captive financials.
Build trust and relationships across the Medical Staff in managing complex malpractice litigation.
Place excess malpractice and general liability insurance layers and the Workers’ Compensation insurance program with the broker.
Meet with excess underwriters throughout the year to discuss HSS risk and litigation management processes and support successful excess placements.
Report litigation risk, including financial and reputational risk, to the Audit and Corporate Compliance Committee of the Board at least twice annually.
Work with business leaders to prepare for renewals.
Report on insurance annually to the Chair of the Board Finance Committee.
Report insurance claims to the broker and carriers as warranted.
Assist senior and Board leadership with challenging situations, including Medical Staff quality issues with reputational risk, and report directly to Board members where applicable.
Coordinate with the AVP of Risk Management on Employee Safety and Workers’ Compensation programs and day-to-day clinical risk issues.