Legal Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary

Our client, a company in the Financial Services / Insurance Sector, is seeking to fill the position of Legal Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary. This is a CONTRACT position.

Our client, a company in the Financial Services / Insurance Sector, is seeking to fill the position of Legal Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary.

This is a CONTRACT position.

 JOB SUMMARY

The Legal Counsel/Assistant Corporate Secretary is an executive-level position responsible for providing comprehensive Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretarial support while ensuring effective corporate governance. The role plays a crucial part in the organisation's strategic legal advising and Corporate Secretarial duties, supporting the Company's objectives and compliance requirements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

(A)   MANAGEMENT:

        I.  Strategic and Corporate Planning

• Assists with the development and execution of the Company’s Legal Department’s Charter as approved by the Board.
• Assists with the development of the Department's Strategic Plans with long-term (three to five years) objectives, which are consistent with the Corporate Strategic Objectives, Areas of High Legal Risk and Strategic Priorities; aligns the legal and business strategies to enable value creation.
• Provides appropriate legal advice for developing the Company’s strategic and corporate plans.
• Participates in discussion meetings with the executives and senior Management and give input regarding personal development goals.

      II.  Operational Performance

• Assists with the implementation of the Department’s Strategic Plan and special projects as requested by the Board or Chief Executive Officer
• Develops a list of significant measurement goals and provides regular status reports on the Department’s performance to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors
• Develops and administers the Management System for the protection and retention of the Company's legal documents & records
• Engages external Counsel and obtain resources to achieve the department's objectives in accordance with the Company’s policies, approved budget and executive guidelines
• Manages the Legal Department’s resources (in-house and outsourced) and oversees the delivery of legal services to accomplish corporate goals, strategies and priorities
• Maintains proper corporate interactions with the relevant legal and regulatory bodies.
• Communicates and interacts with officials at all levels of the Company

    III.  Performance Management And Development

• Fosters a cooperative, ethical and high-performing work environment.
• Optimises legal efficiency and effectiveness to best serve the interest of the Company.
• Maintains professional standards, knowledge, skills and professional certifications to satisfy the Company’s demands for legal services.
• Assists in establishing the performance and attribute standards for the Legal Department and the quality standards for its legal services. Monitors the delivery and quality of performance and potential of the legal team under immediate supervision
• Supervises and trains employees assigned to the Legal Department, including organising, prioritising, and scheduling their work assignments
• Establishes and implements a plan for job succession and career development projections for the Legal Function and recommends action as appropriate.

    IV.   Financial Management

• Drafts annual budgets for the Legal department's operation and administers the function within approved budgets.
• Manages legal costs.

(B) OPERATIONAL / TECHNICAL / PROFESSIONAL:

        I.  Litigations

• Manages a portfolio of Litigation cases and claims for the Company.
• Prepares Witness statements;
• Prepares and submits pretrial briefs to Counsel;
• Appears in court on behalf of the Company
• Reviews legal/court documents for completeness and accuracy;
• Analyses and interprets all matters and prepares legal opinions.

      II.  Instructions

• Liaises with external attorneys, giving instructions on claims;
• Supervises and coordinates the work of legal professionals, paraprofessionals, and consultants assigned to the Legal Department.

    III.  Processing documents

• Drafts legal documents such as contracts, leases and agreements;
• Ensures that all legal paperwork is dealt with.
• Ensures timely and accurate drafting and reviews of Settlement documents, Agreements, Contracts, and other legal documents.

    IV.  Identifying Legal Risks

• Identifies, assesses and mitigates the Company’s legal risks in accordance with the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management System.
• Analyses the Company's actions and decisions before their implementation to ensure that legal risks are identified and managed.
• Identifies areas with legal risks within the Company's operations and suggests ways of minimising these risks.
• Briefs the Company’s directors, officers and key management personnel on potential liabilities, legal issues and possible courses of action and makes recommendations in line with the existing law aimed at minimising legal risks in the Company.

      V.  Conducting Research

• Researches and advises on current and developing legal matters/issues, regulations and trends;
• Conducts research on legal matters on behalf of the Company and makes informed recommendations on legal issues.
• Ensures that the Company is cognizant of emerging changes in the legal field and matches its operations with the new legislation.

    VI.  Providing Legal Advice

• Guides on legal and regulatory matters for the Company;
• Advises departments on insurance law, land and other areas of law;
• Translates complicated legal terms so that Management and employees can understand;
• Provides competent legal advice and Counsel to the Board, the Chairman and Management on a wide range of legal and policy issues.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Law degree from a recognised institution
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience as a practicing Attorney at Law.
• Legal Education Certificate or equivalent from a recognised institution;
• Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago in good standing.
• Master’s in Business Administration will be an asset
• ICSA Qualification or equivalent will be an asset
• Corporate Secretarial experience.
• Experience with Outside Counsel.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those favourably considered will be contacted.