In-house Counsel

Jacksonville, FL, United States

About Brightway:

Established in 2008, Brightway has grown to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with more than 350 agencies in 38 states and more than $1.2 billion in annual premiums.

Brightway is a purpose and core value-driven organization. We provide a blueprint for a future-proofed life. Through our successful model, agency owners focus on protecting their clients' most important assets through consultation, curated choice, and confidence.

Brightway focuses on our agency owners through back office, marketing support, and constant learning and development. Additionally, Brightway builds, integrates, and launches best-in-class and proprietary technology to help our agency owners better connect with clients to deepen relationships and drive success.

About the role:

Brightway In-house Counsel provides legal guidance and support to ensure the company's operations comply with all applicable laws and regulations. You will work closely with various departments and senior management to manage legal risk, facilitate strategic decision-making, and ensure the protection of the company's interests. Work closely with compliance director on strategy and implementation of franchisee and regulatory compliance actions. Participation with executive team and departmental leaders on all major projects and initiatives.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensure that all aspects of the company's operations, including insurance products, marketing, vendor contracts, and business/franchise practices, are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to the insurance industry.

Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, such as vendor agreements, franchise contracts, confidentiality agreements and independent contractor agreements.

Collaborate with external counsel on litigation matters involving the company. Develop strategies for resolution and risk mitigation.

Collaboration with outside counsel on administration of franchise compliance program, including preparation of federal disclosure document and state registrations.

Draft and review contracts for franchise owners including contract addenda, terminations, transfers.

Work closely with Compliance Department to track, evaluate and enforce contract violations, including breaches of governing franchise agreements and restrictive covenant agreements, or intellectual property infringement.

Draft, update and maintain library of standard agreements to facilitate efficient administration of job responsibilities.

Manage company's intellectual property, including USPTO registrations and affidavits, and regularly monitor and work with employees and franchisees to identify and challenge trademark infringement.

Stay updated on changes in insurance, franchise, labor and related laws and regulations. Advise senior management on necessary adjustments to policies and procedures to maintain compliance.

Provide legal support for corporate governance matters, including annual meetings, board resolutions, and corporate record-keeping.

Conduct legal risk assessments and provide proactive advice to identify and address potential legal issues before they become major problems.

Collaborate with various departments to develop and implement company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Assist with drafting and maintaining regulatory compliance policies including cybersecurity policy, GLBA disclosure, record retention policy, employee handbook, and confidential operating manual for franchised agencies.

Provide legal training and education to employees and management on relevant legal and compliance issues.

Support the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions, including due diligence and contract negotiation, including collaborating with external counsel when necessary.

Requirements:

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the state bar. 4-6 years of experience as an attorney with a transactional focus, including primarily information security and artificial intelligence, insurance, regulatory compliance, or related fields.

Skills, Licenses, Certifications

Strong knowledge of insurance laws and regulations, especially in the jurisdictions where Brightway operates (primarily FL, TX, GA, LA, SC, NC).

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and provide strategic legal advice.

Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.

A commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards.

Prior in-house counsel experience is a plus.

Exhibits our company values on a daily basis: Say it, Do it

Here for Each Other

Inspired by Insurance

Next Level Effort

Embrace, educate, evolve

Now is the time join Brightway. You can make your mark here. Contribute to our momentum by helping build our next gen tech ecosystem to help power our agency owners' success. Our culture is driven by our core values, appetite to grow and excitement to collaborate and see our hard work pay off.

Team members at Brightway enjoy:

Competitive salaries (based on research)

Paid Time Off

Medical/Dental/Life/Disability Insurance

401(k) plan with up to a 4% company-match

Tuition reimbursement (regardless of course of study)

Recognition for living our core values

Help us be the brighter way to do insurance!

#J-18808-Ljbffr