Job Summary: Signal Mutual is seeking a senior legal professional to serve as Claims Attorney & Associate Counsel — a high-visibility role offering meaningful autonomy and a clear path to senior leadership. Reporting to the General Counsel, you'll be a trusted strategic partner across the organization, leading legal oversight of our Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) insurance operations, workers' compensation matters, coverage determinations, and litigation strategy.
This is a unique opportunity for a skilled attorney — whether in-house or at a firm — to step into a role with broad enterprise impact, direct executive engagement, and the chance to shape legal strategy at a specialized, respected insurance mutual.
This position is located in South Norwalk, CT and requires (3) days/week in-office.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
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Claims Oversight & Legal Risk Management
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Provide strategic legal direction on complex, high-severity workers' compensation and Longshore claims, including matters under maritime law and state jurisdictions.
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Partner with claims leadership to build sound claims-handling practices, escalation protocols, and solutions for novel or high-risk legal developments.
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Advise on claim denials, reservations of rights, settlements, mediations, and appeals.
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Represent the Company at legal conferences and industry forums on Longshore, workers' compensation, and maritime law
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Coverage Authority
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Determine coverage under Longshore, workers' compensation, and Maritime Employers Liability (MEL) policies, including policy interpretation, endorsements, exclusions, and jurisdictional questions.
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Issue and review coverage position letters on matters such as:
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Longshore vs. state workers' compensation jurisdiction
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Maritime employment status and situs/status issues
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Conflicts among state law, federal Longshore requirements, and maritime doctrine
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Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the Company's business and provide timely guidance.
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Litigation Strategy & Management
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Lead litigation strategy for claims and general corporate matters, with a focus on
May 2026
advancing favorable legal positions and managing enterprise risk.
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Collaborate with outside counsel on case strategy, motion practice, settlement, and appellate issues.
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Oversee outside counsel selection, performance, billing, and compliance with litigation management guidelines.
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Identify opportunities to build favorable precedent through strategic litigation positioning.
Qualifications:
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JD from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (must be eligible under Connecticut's in-house counsel regulations).
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7+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, with substantial exposure to:
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Longshore and state workers' compensation matters
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Insurance coverage analysis and claims oversight
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Litigation management and regulatory engagement
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Prior experience as Claims Counsel or Claims Attorney at an insurance company or law firm; commercial claims experience preferred.
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Deep knowledge of the LHWCA and its extensions, multi-state workers' compensation law, the Jones Act, and related maritime jurisprudence.
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Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical business guidance.
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In-house experience at an insurance mutual or similarly regulated entity is a plus.
Compensation:
The base salary range for this role is $145,000 – $225,000, commensurate with education, experience, skills, and alignment with the competencies required for the role. Base pay is one component of Signal Mutual's total compensation package, which also includes eligibility for an annual discretionary performance bonus.