European Legal Counsel

Join Starr, a global leader in commercial insurance with over a century of expertise. We empower our employees to innovate, make impactful decisions, and build lasting client relationships worldwide. At Starr, you'll work in an entrepreneurial culture alongside accessible leaders, leveraging our financial strength and vast industry experience to deliver solutions for our clients, no matter how complex. Grow your career with a rapidly growing company that invests in its people and their ability to drive real progress.

Role Purpose

The Regional Counsel – UK and Europe will support the Starr Insurance Companies’ insurance operations in the United Kingdom and European region.  The Regional Counsel – UK and Europe will be responsible for providing and coordinating legal support in connection with corporate and transactional matters, insurance regulatory, corporate governance, insurance product development, and general employment matters for the organisation’s insurance operations in the United Kingdom and European region.

Roles and Responsbilities

• Provide legal and regulatory support for the Starr Insurance Companies’ insurance business conducted in the United Kingdom and European Economic Area.
• Research, identify, and analyze legal issues, draft key documents, and present clear recommendations for the organisation’s insurance business.
• Draft and negotiate commercial agreements for a variety of transactions, including: reviewing, drafting, and negotiating various types of commercial contracts, confidentiality, and standard-form agreements; developing, implementing, providing trainings for, and ensuring compliance with contract-related organisational policies; and advising internal business clients on contract law, as applicable.  
• Provide legal advice in regard to various corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, loss portfolio transfers, joint ventures, restructurings, the establishment of additional Starr entities, and strategic partnerships.
• Participate in the development of company strategic and operational goals and work closely with senior management and the business units in their operational execution.
• Consult and collaborate on corporate governance activities, including advising on Board and Shareholder issues and advising on governance-related laws and regulations.
• Provide legal guidance and support in connection with underwriting, coverage, and other matters for all lines of business, including: addressing inquiries regarding coverage issues; assisting with drafting insurance policy language and related product development and wording matters; researching and providing advice regarding insurance placements; and assisting with the determination of underwriting philosophy and appropriate claims handling based upon the changing legal environment.    
• Research and analyze U.K. and European insurance regulatory laws that may create risk for or otherwise affect the organisation; counsel internal business clients on the business implications of such laws; collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop policies, procedures, and risk mitigation strategies; and collaborate with colleagues in the Compliance function on cross-functional regulatory matters.
• Remain current on industry developments and trends impacting underwriting, insurance product and regulatory, and claims and coverage matters that impact Starr’s lines of business, and communicate relevant developments to management and the underwriting team to ensure awareness and adjustments/enhancements of processes and protocols as needed. 
• Assist the Human Resources department with general legal issues relating to employment matters.
• Collaborate closely with the Starr Insurance Companies Group legal department and with colleagues in the organisation’s international locations.

• At the sole discretion of the Company and/or any Group Company and/or your manager, this role will have managerial responsibilities with respect to one or more employees, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Experience

• A minimum of 5-10 years of substantive experience as an attorney in an insurance company and/or medium to large size law firm, focusing on commercial insurance transactional and regulatory matters.
• Strong legal skills and experience across a broad range of areas and familiarity with applicable legal concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of commercial insurance regulatory laws and general corporate and employment laws.
• Strong understanding of commercial insurance business operations.
• General knowledge of corporate governance laws and practices.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience.

Languages

• Spanish and English

Starr is an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We offer first class training and development opportunities to all employees. Our aim is to grow our own talent and bring out the best in people.