Assistant General Counsel - Pinnacol Assurance

Pinnacol Assurance does just one thing, and does it better than anyone: provide caring workers’ compensation protection to Colorado employers and employees. And while we may be a little biased, we believe that our work shapes communities and changes lives.

We have big hearts and love big ideas. We’ve been around for more than  100 years, but don’t let that fool you. Pinnacol is committed to taking care of Colorado employers and workers in the most innovative ways. We celebrate continuous improvement, new ideas, compassion, teamwork, integrity and excellence.

What you’ll do:

Provide legal representation in workers’ compensation appellate litigation for the Company and its policyholders. Review and analyze all incoming orders. Research and draft briefs, legislation, memoranda and policies which protect the interests of the Company and its stakeholders. Provide legal support to corporate and insurance operations teams, and research, advice, and education to Company personnel and outside counsel.

What you can expect:

• Review and analyze all substantive workers’ compensation orders issued by administrative law judges, the Industrial Claim Appeals Office (ICAO), and appellate courts in which Company is a party; staff such orders with claims personnel and participate in decisions regarding whether to appeal such orders; timely enter relevant data in the Company’s case management platform
• Research and timely prepare appellate pleadings including motions, briefs, and responses; present oral arguments when appropriate
• Review and evaluate in a timely manner all appellate cases decided by ICAO and other courts pertaining to workers’ compensation and other issues relating to the Company’s business
• Design and provide regular training sessions on case law and other current legal issues to Company employees and outside counsel
• Research and provide legal advice regarding specific claims, policies and contracts to executives, managers, staff counsel, underwriters, other departments and outside counsel
• Draft motions, position statements, proposed orders and letters on specific claims and policies as necessary or requested and in accordance with applicable law
• Research, provide advice, and draft memoranda regarding general issues and policies as requested by Company personnel
• Serve on internal and external task forces and committees with the Company and external stakeholders as needed to protect the Company’s interests
• Maintain and keep current all legal research materials
• Regularly attend staff counsel and other legal department meetings to discuss in-house legal issues; formulate policies and procedures as needed
• Provide legal support for corporate and insurance operations teams
• Draft and review proposed legislation and rules; testify before legislative committees and workers’ compensation agencies as needed to promote the Company’s interests
• Other projects as assigned

What you need to be successful:

• Licensed to practice law in Colorado. 
• Minimum five years’ experience practicing Colorado workers’ compensation law.
• In-depth experience in handling all aspects of workers’ compensation appeals preferred.
• Familiarity with the Colorado workers’ compensation legislative and rulemaking processes preferred.

Competencies:

• Business perspective: Using an understanding of business issues, processes and outcomes to enhance business performance.
• Conflict management: Develops working relationships that facilitate the prevention and/or resolution of conflicts within the organization.
• Critical judgment: Evaluating ideas and information while referring to objective criteria to reach rational conclusions.
• Legislation, policies, procedures, and standards: Understanding and using relevant legislation, policies, procedures and/or standards in performing one's work.
• Analytical Thinking: Analyzing and synthesizing information to understand issues, identify options, and support sound decision making.
• Leading and managing change: Supporting, implementing and initiating change, while helping others deal with the transition.

We can’t do our work without people like you.
Our employees are extraordinary and committed to making a difference. Here’s some of the ways we show our appreciation.

• Our benefits go beyond the basics. You’ll get to choose from diverse benefit offerings for medical, dental and vision.
• We care about each other. We enjoy a positive, collaborative work environment. We are hard workers and high performers.
• We love who you are.Pinnacol is on a journey to embody diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re committed to creating a culture that deeply values differences, where everyone feels like they belong.
• Take a day (or 20!) off. Enjoy 20 paid days off your first full year plus 9 paid holidays.
• Take care of yourself. Sign up for unique wellness programs, including on-site, company-paid fitness facilities and classes
• Get your learning on. We promote a learning culture to help you master your current job and cultivate the skills of the future through a variety of on-site, online, and off-site professional development opportunities.
• Give back and get paid. Through our employee volunteer program, Pinnacol in Action, employees receive paid time off to volunteer with Colorado nonprofits.
• Share in our success. You’ll have the opportunity to earn a quarterly incentive, up to 12 percent of your annual base salary, when your team exceeds their goals and objectives.

When we find the right person, we try to put our best foot forward with an offer that excites you. We consider what you’d like to be paid, the skills and experience you bring, what similar jobs pay in the Denver area and make sure there’s equal pay for equal work among those you’ll be working with. The compensation amount for this role is targeted at $163,800 - $171,000. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including your experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Want to love your work? Apply today!

Pinnacol is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email recruiting_team@pinnacol.com.

This posting will close 14 days after being published; August 29, 2024