Job Summary

The Legal Officer will serve as a legal adviser to First Assurance and will report to the Legal Manager. 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.

Responsibilities

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.
• Ensuring that adequate reserves are maintained in the system.
• Reviewing correspondence and opinions from external lawyers and advising the supervisor.
• 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 seeking approval on recommended settlement or appeals.
• Negotiating matters out of court and keeping registers of such matters.
• Biannual review legal files to ensure accurate reserves are maintained and to ensure the files are up to date.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Provide support on the operational areas with day-to-day regulatory insurance compliance issues.
• Timely response to IRA matters and attend meetings as and 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.