Claims Counsel - Essent Guaranty, Inc.

Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE: ESNT) is a Bermuda-based holding company (collectively with its subsidiaries, "Essent") which serves the housing finance industry by offering private mortgage insurance, reinsurance, risk management products and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors to support homeownership. We are focused on managing risk and dedicated to serving as a strong and fair counterparty. As a company, we bring strong private capital and a commitment to risk management to the mortgage insurance industry.

Title: Claims Counsel

Location: Columbia, MO (fully on-site)

This is an individual contributor position which works under limited supervision. Provides general legal support for the subsidiary, with an emphasis on title insurance claims investigation and administration, management of claims budgets and reserves, management and oversight of claims litigation, identification and pursuit of salvage opportunities, and negotiation with insureds, opposing counsel, and third parties.

As a dynamic and resourceful professional, we will rely on you to perform the following duties:

• Claim analysis (e.g. claim intake and investigation, determination, reserving, and retention and management of outside counsel and other vendors) involving all manner of real estate law (e.g. title litigation, mechanics’ lien and other subcontractor issues, disputes between lenders and borrowers and among neighboring landowners, etc.) and reviews and interprets real property documents (e.g. leases, deeds, easements, etc.).
• Counsels management regarding compliance with insurance laws and regulations, internal and external audits and examinations, developments in guidelines from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and issues with risk management and market conduct.
• Provides support and advice to all stakeholders regarding property management and day-to-day operational issues.
• Develops, negotiates, and maintains vendor relationships and monitors performance against service level agreements; resolves or escalates highly complex issues as they arise.
• Reviews and responds to regulatory complaints.
• Remains abreast of industry trends, products, technologies, best practices, standards of conduct, ethics, competitive landscape, and legal and regulatory changes to recommend updates to strategic and operational plans for leadership decision-making.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• JD - Juris Doctor.
• Minimum (5) years’ work experience in either a title insurer, a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Interest in title insurance, real estate, and insurance law.
• Experience in litigation management, insurance claims management, and/or real estate/title law is preferred.
• Requires admission to state bar in the state where practicing.
• Requires experience with legal research methods, rules of evidence, and the conduct of court proceedings.
• Interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Sound judgement with a high degree of integrity and discretion.
• Requires proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with conflicting deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge in contract drafting and negotiations.
• Ability to form and maintain professional relationships with clients, colleagues, vendors, and management.

Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and disability benefits. We work to maintain a positive environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the company. Essent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.