General Counsel

Founded in 1898, Mutual of Enumclaw is a people-first insurer rooted in community, recognized as Washington’s Best Company to Work For for the 13th consecutive year, and proudly serving individuals, families, farms, and businesses through local independent agents across the West.

The General Counsel (GC) and Claims Counsel will serve as the primary legal advisor to the executive team and board of directors. This individual will oversee the legal department's operations and serve as the lead attorney for the company’s claims management process. The role combines strategic corporate legal leadership with specialized expertise in claims-related legal matters within the Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance industry.

This role is critical in ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, managing legal risks, overseeing litigation, and advising on claims-related issues to help the company maintain its position in the industry. Additionally, the GC and Claims Counsel is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives, providing senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation, managing the legal function, and obtaining and overseeing the work of outside counsel.

As a trusted advisor, the GC and Claims Counsel will serve on the Executive Management team, guiding the company on legal and business implications of key strategic imperatives, while managing exposure to litigation and legal risks. This role will also provide legal oversight and guidance on the company’s contractual and strategic relationships, including vendor management, reinsurance, product development, distribution arrangements, and capital and partnership initiatives. This individual will be tasked with optimizing the use of in-house and external legal resources while overseeing regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and government affairs.

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Location:The successful candidate will work in a hybrid capacity between our Home Office in Enumclaw, WA, and remotely. Candidate must live within driving distance of our Home Office and have high-speed internet (internet speed test required).

*Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. Compensation is only one part of our entire total rewards package. To see some of the benefits and perks we offer, please click here.

General Counsel Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of Directors, and Executive Management, providing effective legal counsel on a wide range of strategic initiatives.
• Actively participate in the resolution of general management issues as a key member of the Executive Management team, including policy formulation, resource allocation, and the achievement of the Company’s overarching strategies.
• Counsel on both the business and legal ramifications of significant company strategic imperatives, including state expansion, possible acquisitions, and other potential investments.
• Provide corporate secretary function appropriate to the property/casualty insurance industry, advising the Board on its responsibilities under applicable rules and regulations, including corporate governance matters.
• Advise on corporate governance issues to ensure compliance with best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain close relationships with relevant regulators, ensuring strong oversight over all regulatory and legal matters impacting the company.
• Stay abreast of changes in laws and regulations impacting the business and communicate any changes to controls, policies, and procedures to appropriate parties.
• Monitor and manage exposure to litigation and potential litigation, including managing settlements where appropriate to reduce overall cost to the organization.
• Oversee and manage external legal counsel in litigation, dispute resolution, and other legal proceedings, developing strategies to resolve matters efficiently and minimize exposure.
• Ensure optimal use of in-house and external legal resources to appropriately minimize both legal expenditures and legal exposure.
• Lead, coordinate, and manage the legal services provided to the company, including budgetary responsibility.
• Establish processes and standards for the selection, retention, management, and evaluation of outside counsel.
• Provide oversight and guidance on contract relationships, including vendor agreements, technology and service contracts, and other third-party engagements, ensuring compliance with corporate and regulatory standards.
• Review, structure, and negotiate reinsurance agreements, distribution and product partnership arrangements, and marketing collaborations to ensure alignment with the company’s strategic and financial objectives.
• Advise on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital management strategies, and related due diligence to evaluate legal, operational, and reputational risks.

Claims Counsel Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and direction in connection with claims handling, investigations, and settlements.
• Review and analyze complex claims to assess legal liability, coverage issues, and potential exposure.
• Lead the defense of the company in claims-related litigation, including evaluating legal strategies and managing outside counsel when necessary.
• Ensure the company is positioned to defend claims effectively, while minimizing potential financial exposure and reputational risk.
• Advise on the development, implementation, and enforcement of claims-related policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with claims management to ensure best practices in claims handling and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Analyze potential legal risks and work with other departments to reduce exposure to claims-related liabilities.
• Review and interpret insurance policies and provide guidance on claims coverage issues.
• Oversee the negotiation and settlement of claims disputes, ensuring favorable outcomes for the company while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Advise on alternate dispute resolution methods, including mediation and arbitration.

Required Skills/Abilities:  

• In-depth knowledge of P&C insurance regulations, laws, coverage, and dispute resolution.
• Strong experience in structuring, negotiating, and drafting complex contracts independently.
• Proven ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide strategic counsel to executive leadership.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex contract issues and terms in clear, everyday language.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities, with the ability to lead both in-house and external legal teams.
• Exceptional planning, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to balance a large workload and turn around contracts and documents accurately and in a prompt and timely manner.
• Demonstrated understanding of the needs, demands, and requirements of business lines and corporate functions.
• Good working knowledge of the information technology business, services, and products within the financial services/insurance industry.
• Strong understanding of legal ethics and demonstrated ability to use sound judgment and discretion in decision-making.
• Must be able to travel as required to meet business and operational needs.

Education and Experience: 

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Member of the bar in the applicable jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the practice of law after admittance to the bar, with at least 5 years in the insurance industry, specifically in P&C insurance.
• Experience in managing corporate legal matters, including governance, regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, and claims handling.
• Experience with vendor and contract management, reinsurance, product development, distribution relationships, and partnership negotiations within the insurance industry.

Physical Requirements:  

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, including video conferencing.
• 10% travel may be required.