VP, General Counsel

Job Type

Make sure to apply quickly in order to maximise your chances of being considered for an interview Read the complete job description below.

Full-time

Description

Who are we?

Western National Insurance Group is a private mutual insurance company with over 120 years of experience serving customers' property-and-casualty insurance needs in the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States.

Known as The Relationship Company, we define success as a measure of the relationships we’ve built over time. In everything that we do, we know that delivering a friendly and helpful interaction makes for a better experience for everyone involved.

That’s the power of nice . At Western National, nice is something we work to bring to every person and organization with whom we partner and serve.

Does this opportunity interest you?

Western National is seeking a Vice President, General Counsel to join our team! The person in this role will serve as chief legal officer and advisor, responsible for managing legal issues, regulatory matters, mitigating risks, and protecting the company’s interests.

What are the responsibilities and opportunities of this role?

• Provides counsel and advice to CEO, senior level executives, the Board of Directors, and other business areas, including human resources, underwriting, information technology, research and development, claims, marketing, and operations.
• Provides corporate governance guidance for the companies, prepares regulatory filings, responds to regulatory inquiries, and coordinates and participates in government relations activities.
• Drafts and reviews contracts and agreements.
• Oversees non-claims-related litigation. This includes conducting research, crafting responses, and serving as the business’ legal representative in the management of litigation brought against the company, including coordination with external legal counsel.
• Serves as a legal resource for people throughout the companies.
• Serves as key lawyer and / or coordinates legal support for strategic business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, sales, affiliations, real estate transactions, and mission critical contractual relationships.
• Reviews and advises on corporate insurance and benefit programs.
• Researches regulatory, business, and legal climate for potential states for expansion.
• Coordinates inquiries from and responses to respective state departments of insurance.

Requirements

What are the must-have qualifications for a candidate?

• Minimum 10 years of experience practicing law with substantive experience advising business clients and representing companies in their business operations.
• Private law firm or in-house corporate law experience preferred.
• Law degree and current admission to practice law in the State of Minnesota or other jurisdiction.
• Experience advising senior managers and boards of directors.
• Strong research and analysis abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Needs to work independently and be able and willing to confidently advise on a very broad spectrum of legal issues.

What will our ideal candidate have?

Property-and-casualty insurance experience.

Culture and Total Rewards

Western National has long been known as The Relationship Company and caring for our employees is part of that relationship commitment.

We value connectiveness, empowerment, and accountability, and we believe that our employees are our biggest asset.

Currently ranked as the 41st largest private company by revenue in Minnesota (Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal), Western National has earned accolades year-over-year as an employer of choice and garnered multiple awards for wellness in the workplace.

Western National was also named a Star Tribune Top Workplace in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In addition, the Group is consistently recognized as a Ward’s 50 property-and-casualty insurance company for its outstanding financial results.

Western National offers full-time employees a significant Total Rewards Package, including :

• Medical insurance plan options and other standard employee benefits, including dental insurance, vision benefits, life insurance, disability insurance, and more!
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) Plan (participants are eligible for 100% matching on the first 6% of their contributions)
• Wellbeing Program, including onsite fitness studio
• Paid Time Off including holiday, vacation, and volunteer
• 100% company-paid tuition reimbursement for approved job-relevant coursework and access to The Institutes (Risk and insurance education)
• Paid parental leave
• Bonus opportunities

Western National believes in supporting balance between work and life by providing a flexible work environment, which includes a variety of hybrid and remote work arrangements designed to balance individual, job, department, and company needs.

Western National provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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