General Counsel

SFM is unique in that we are small enough that your voice is heard, but has all the benefits and perks of a larger employer. We value your opinion, help you reach your goals, and make it easy for you to maintain work-life balance. Find out why our employees rate us a top employer and choose to stay and grow with us.

About SFM

Since 1983, our mission has been to be the workers’ compensation partner of choice for agents, employers and their workers. In that time we’ve expanded to over 20,000 customers in the Midwest and grown our offerings to include vocational rehabilitation, safe patient handling, loss prevention, medical services and more. Though much has changed through the years, our focus continues to be unrivaled customer service, safety, and providing better outcomes for employers and injured workers. 

The role

The Vice President and General Counsel assures that the legal rights, interests, and obligations of SFM, as a corporate business and a workers’ compensation insurer, are protected, pursued and fulfilled. You will lead corporate and insurance legal strategy, and provide senior management with effective legal and business guidance and advice regarding company plans, strategies, corporate activities and their implementation.  Coordinating public affairs efforts of the organization and acting as “managing partner” of the in-house legal department is also an expectation, as well as advising the CEO and other senior managers on case law changes and SFM legal defense strategies.

Responsibilities

 Corporate Duties:

Responsible for the development of agendas, draft resolutions for policyholder and Board of Directors’ meetings, attends the meetings and is responsible for an accurate and complete written record of these meetings. Works closely with the CEO on board governance.
Provides basic legal services necessary to the Company’s organization and continued day-to-day operation including provision of legal advice and oversight as to the Company’s obligations as an employer, in its lease of space and purchase of goods and services, and in formal corporate organization and decision making through action of the Board of Directors and members of the corporation.
Provides legal advice and oversight for business planning and assures that corporate operations comply with insurance and workers’ compensation regulations fully, efficiently and effectively. This includes advice regarding the consequences and alternatives for methods of pricing, sales, underwriting, policy provision, issuance, billing and collecting, audit and termination.
Works with Finance, Underwriting Technical, Premium Audit and the Strategic Business Units on appropriate billing and collection policies and procedures including leading SFM’s collection efforts.
Participates and oversees corporate counsel activities regarding current and developing workers’ compensation law, employment law, contract law and other related areas of the law for the development of practices and policies consistent with legal requirements and protection of Company interests.
Monitors and informs the company regarding the development of insurance and workers’ compensation law in the courts, by insurance regulators, and at the legislature. Makes quarterly written reports to senior management and the Board of Directors regarding the above. Coordinates the company’s public affairs activities, including representing the interest of the company with respect to proposed legislative and regulatory changes by consulting with legislators and regulators, appearing at hearings, and drafting proposals.
Oversees the internal audit function to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and statutory regulations that bring a systematic, disciplined approach to SFM’s operations.
Legal Duties:

Has ultimate responsibility and provides general oversight regarding in-house legal staff’s advice to claims staff or individual compensation claims as to compensability, statutory benefits payable, and settlement of certain claims. Provides general oversight of company’s defense of all claims including denied claims by outside legal counsel in all jurisdictions. Oversight includes frequent updates of case law trends, claim handling strategies and legal remedies to President & CEO, SVP of SBUs and VP Claims.
Has ultimate responsibility for the pursuit of claims of the company and its policyholders for indemnity and subrogation.
Works cooperatively with other company personnel to develop and coordinate efforts to educate policyholders, agents, legislators, regulators and the general business community about the workers’ compensation systems in our main jurisdictions and workers compensation issues, including appropriate communication methods.
Act as managing partner of SFM’s legal department, LSH.
Leadership Focus:

Demonstrates leadership in accordance with SFM’s mission, vision and values.
Develops and communicates vision and expectation levels to team members and relates them to corporate vision and strategic direction.
Consistently provides feedback and communication to staff members related to company and team performance.
Defines and clarifies team members’ job responsibilities, accountabilities and performance standards. Inspires staff to attain goals and pursue excellence.  Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for improved performance.  Effectively utilizes each staff member to his/her fullest potential.
Identifies and develops future leadership with staff. Challenges staff to develop professionally or as leaders while serving as a role model and mentor. Creates individual development plans to enrich staff performance and value. 
We’re looking for

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Political Science or related field.
Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in Minnesota.
Ten years’ experience working in multiple disciplines within the insurance field and/or other similarly regulated industries.
Strong leadership, interpersonal skills and strategic focus.
Effective leadership and supervisory skills.
Knowledge and comprehension of multiple disciplines within the insurance fields, preferably workers’ compensation and/or other casualty insurance.
Broad understanding of and ability to develop effective team environments focused on team results.
Strong profit/loss experience.
Ability to coach, guide and encourage staff toward improved performance.
Inspires innovation and continuous quality improvement.
Exceptional communication s, and collaboration skills. .
Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and work with minimal direction.
Ability to effectively lead and delegate to ensure successful completion of projects and/or assignments.
Strong computer skills (preferably in a Windows environment).
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Physical Requirements 

Work takes place in a semi paperless environment within an office, using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopies, which requires being stationary for extended periods of time.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and work with close vision. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Work is performed indoors with little to no exposure to extreme outdoor weather conditions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Join us

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