Confidential
Corporate Legal Counsel/Product & Underwriting
Confidential, Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Corporate Legal Counsel – Product and Underwriting
Our client is seeking a highly motivated and experienced attorney to serve as Corporate Counsel – Product and Underwriting. Reporting to the Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, this role will be the primary legal partner to the company’s Product, Actuarial, and Underwriting teams. The attorney will advise on product development and maintenance; assist with rate, rule, and form filings; support underwriting governance and compliance; and work closely with the company’s Regulatory Compliance team to drive alignment across the company's commercial auto portfolio. The successful candidate will combine strong insurance expertise with practical business judgment, excellent drafting and negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate cross‑functionally in a fast‑moving environment. A key element of success in this role includes the thoughtful use of technology and Generative AI, consistent with company policies and ethical standards, to enhance speed, quality, and consistency in drafting, analysis, and knowledge management.
Key Responsibilities
Provide end‑to‑end legal support for product development and underwriting, including drafting, reviewing, and maintaining policy forms, endorsements, rating rules, underwriting guidelines, manuals, and compliance frameworks for commercial auto and related transportation lines.
Play a lead role in state rate, rule, and form filings via SERFF across the company’s footprint, including preparation of filing memoranda, responses to Department of Insurance objections, coordination of state‑specific exceptions, and implementation support upon approval.
Advise on insurance regulatory matters impacting product and underwriting, including unfair trade practices, anti‑rebating, form and rate statutes, use of credit and loss history, underwriting eligibility, cancellations and non‑renewals, producer compensation and disclosure, surplus lines and admitted market considerations, and market conduct risk.
Partner with Product and Actuarial on filing strategy and documentation, including support for new programs, multistate rollouts, ISO and proprietary form usage, incorporation of telematics‑informed rating variables, and evidence of actuarial support and compliance with state requirements.
Collaborate with Compliance to monitor and interpret statutory, regulatory, and bulletin updates affecting commercial auto products and underwriting practices; develop and implement timely action plans and training for business stakeholders.
Support distribution and market engagement, including producer appointment and licensing requirements, producer agreements, program administrator arrangements, and oversight of delegated underwriting authority where applicable.
Champion responsible legal technology and Generative AI adoption within the product and underwriting legal function, including playbooks for AI‑assisted drafting and redlining, guardrails for use in underwriting workflows, and human‑in‑the‑loop review protocols.
Coordinate with external counsel on specialized regulatory matters and multi‑state projects to ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality outcomes aligned with Canal’s business objectives.
Qualifications
Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
Member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar or eligible for a limited certificate of admission for in‑house counsel under Rule 405, SCACR.
A minimum of 5 years of legal experience, preferably in a large law firm or corporate setting.
Prior experience in insurance regulatory and product matters at a law firm, insurance department, or carrier, with direct experience in commercial auto or transportation experience strongly preferred.
Professional, highly organized and detail‑oriented.
Possess the ability to work independently, to thrive under pressure and to meet deadlines in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.
Business‑oriented experience required. Candidate must show a willingness and desire to learn about the business.
Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Seniority Level Associate
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Legal
Industry Insurance
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Key Responsibilities
Provide end‑to‑end legal support for product development and underwriting, including drafting, reviewing, and maintaining policy forms, endorsements, rating rules, underwriting guidelines, manuals, and compliance frameworks for commercial auto and related transportation lines.
Play a lead role in state rate, rule, and form filings via SERFF across the company’s footprint, including preparation of filing memoranda, responses to Department of Insurance objections, coordination of state‑specific exceptions, and implementation support upon approval.
Advise on insurance regulatory matters impacting product and underwriting, including unfair trade practices, anti‑rebating, form and rate statutes, use of credit and loss history, underwriting eligibility, cancellations and non‑renewals, producer compensation and disclosure, surplus lines and admitted market considerations, and market conduct risk.
Partner with Product and Actuarial on filing strategy and documentation, including support for new programs, multistate rollouts, ISO and proprietary form usage, incorporation of telematics‑informed rating variables, and evidence of actuarial support and compliance with state requirements.
Collaborate with Compliance to monitor and interpret statutory, regulatory, and bulletin updates affecting commercial auto products and underwriting practices; develop and implement timely action plans and training for business stakeholders.
Support distribution and market engagement, including producer appointment and licensing requirements, producer agreements, program administrator arrangements, and oversight of delegated underwriting authority where applicable.
Champion responsible legal technology and Generative AI adoption within the product and underwriting legal function, including playbooks for AI‑assisted drafting and redlining, guardrails for use in underwriting workflows, and human‑in‑the‑loop review protocols.
Coordinate with external counsel on specialized regulatory matters and multi‑state projects to ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality outcomes aligned with Canal’s business objectives.
Qualifications
Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
Member in good standing of the South Carolina Bar or eligible for a limited certificate of admission for in‑house counsel under Rule 405, SCACR.
A minimum of 5 years of legal experience, preferably in a large law firm or corporate setting.
Prior experience in insurance regulatory and product matters at a law firm, insurance department, or carrier, with direct experience in commercial auto or transportation experience strongly preferred.
Professional, highly organized and detail‑oriented.
Possess the ability to work independently, to thrive under pressure and to meet deadlines in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.
Business‑oriented experience required. Candidate must show a willingness and desire to learn about the business.
Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Seniority Level Associate
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Legal
Industry Insurance
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