Job Summary
The Legal Manager will serve as a legal adviser to
First Assurance and will report to the Head of Claims Department. Responsible
for offering legal counsel, Coordinate operations of external advocates,
negotiations to ensure settlement of third-party claims, and recovery on behalf
of the company.
Also expected to work closely with other members of the organization to provide
general legal guidance and advice to the organization.
Job Description
Litigation Management.
Receiving summons and determining whether liability
attaches on the part of the Company.
Appointment of service providers to handle company
matters as per policy and maintenance of a register for such appointments.
Reviewing legal claims lodged against our insured’s
and engaging third parties in out-of-court negotiations in line with past
precedents and set parameters. Always ensuring that adequate reserves are
maintained.
Instructions to external lawyers on how the cases are to be handled.
Reviewing correspondence and opinions from external
lawyers and advising management.
Engage in pre-trial briefings & in conjunction
with external lawyers prepare witnesses for court attendance.
Responding to advocates correspondence and ensuring
up to date information is in each file.
Reviewing judgments and recommending settlement or
appeals. Making sure that adequate reserves are maintained.
Receiving summons to enter appearance and plaint from
our insured’s and distributing the same to our panel of external advocates.
Negotiating matters out of court and keeping
registers of such matters.
Periodically review legal files to ensure accurate
reserves are maintained and to ensure the files are up to date.
Handling the Company’s recoveries from third parties
and other insurance companies by instituting suits or out of Court negotiations
and follow up thereof.
Ensuring payments are raised in good time, authorized
and forwarded to Finance Department. Follow up on judgment payments to avoid
executions.
Preparing legal reports & opinions.
Pursue Third Party recoveries for the Company.
Distributing the work coming into the claims legal
department ensuring that all mails are actioned.
Approving all discharge vouchers and judgments as per
the approval limits
Reviewing the external advocates fees to ensure that
the fee notes are raised as per remuneration order.
Providing legal advice, opinion and assistance on all
legal claims matters to the management.
Attending court hearing on behalf of the organization
as and when required.
Ensure Status Reports from service providers are
received as per the guidelines.
Prepare monthly reports and any other report that may
be requested.
Policy development and advisory
Review internal policies, procedures, and other
documentation to make sure they are compliant with statutory and regulatory
requirements.
Help management with the interpretation and
application of laws and regulations.
Conduct proactive research on any pertinent legal
issues and provide strategic legal guidance on the same.
Monitor and communicate relevant changes in
regulatory, corporate, and other applicable laws which may impact the business.
Regulatory compliance
Support management in the proactive identification
and mitigation of legal, regulatory, and business risks.
Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where
legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action are taken.
Monitor and communicate relevant changes in
regulatory, corporate, and other applicable laws which may impact the business.
Provide support on the operational areas with
day-to-day regulatory insurance compliance issues.
Provide required support in the preparation of the
department’s monthly and quarterly reports for executive management meetings
and Board meetings.
Timely response to IRA matters and attend meetings as
and when required.
Ensure biannual review of all outstanding liability
claims.
Operations
Providing continuous leadership, supervision,
training, and development of the legal department staff to ensure an effective
and motivated team.
Ensure maintenance of documentation and legal
databases.
Ensure biannual review of all outstanding liability
claims.
Provide accurate, reasoned and concise legal advice
to business teams at all levels and across multiple departments
Reviewing and developing legal and communication
policies, procedures and recommending areas of improvement
Promoting legal, compliance and risk management best
practice throughout the company
Drafting and reviewing various insurance related
documents, developing and supporting the ongoing use of document templates,
working collaboratively with teams across the business to ensure stakeholder
interests are understood and addressed.
Horizon scanning for future areas of challenge or
change within the insurance regulatory and legal framework as well as the
insurance industry generally, working collaboratively to identify and consider
approaches to address such challenges or changes
Independently managing various projects and
deadlines, working collaboratively with the legal team and wider business
required.
Various BAU responsibilities including supporting the
review of NDAs and other common insurance agreements and endorsements, as well
as legal review of documents produced by the business.
Ability to provide secretarial and legal services to
the business as when required.
Education and Experience Required:
Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from a recognized
institution.
Certified Public Secretary (CPS) with a valid and
current Practicing Certificate issued under the Certified Public Secretaries
Act.
Must be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a
valid and current practicing certificate.
A registered member of the Law Society of Kenya in
good standing.
At least 7 years’ experience legal practice in
Insurance/financial institution with experience in Commercial Law, Litigation
and Conveyance
An eye for detail, strong organizational skills and
able to take responsibility for own workload.
Demonstrated integrity and professional competence as
reflected in work performance and results.
Excellent written and spoken communication skills;
Strong team leadership skills.
Must be a team player.
Knowledge & Skills and Competencies:
Ability to conduct extensive and comprehensive legal
research to aid in decision making.
Ability to represent the interests of the Company’s
shareholders and act on behalf of the Company in the issuance of formal
communication.
Project management skills and communication skills
including presentation and facilitation skills.
Ability to lead, influence and drive change
initiatives in support of business strategies within the department.
Judgement and decision-making skills
Understanding of insurance sector operating models
Attention to detail and accuracy, planning and
organizing skills, integrity, and accountability
How To Apply
