Counsel - Leave & Insurance Products

Description and Requirements
Role Value Proposition:
MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. We're united by our purpose to help our customers and each other create a confident future; we're guided by empathy; and we're inspired by each other to make a difference in the lives of our coworkers, customers, communities, and the world at large. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!
Legal Affairs - Building confident futures is at the center of all our work at MetLife. In Legal Affairs, that means empowering our trusted advisors and advocates to focus on what's possible while safeguarding MetLife's global interests. Collaborating with each other and our businesses around the globe, we support innovative solutions while protecting our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders. And we work in an environment founded on integrity, trust, candor, and respect, where new challenges and diverse perspectives are encouraged and celebrated.
We are seeking a motivated attorney to join the company's legal department. The attorney will work collaboratively on a team supporting MetLife's Group Benefits business. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Group Benefits, the attorney will provide strategic advice on regulatory and transactional matters for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, with a focus on MetLife's leave and absence management products. The successful attorney will advise on state leave laws, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disability Act in connection with MetLife product offerings. The attorney will also advise on matters relating to MetLife's insurance and insurance-related products.
Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice to business leadership on the legal requirements relating to MetLife's leave and absence management products, including advice relating to product design and administration, and sales and marketing.
• Research and analyze new laws applicable to leave and absence management and other products, including new and updated federal and state leave laws. Coordinate with MetLife's Government Relations team to help shape new laws and regulations.
• Provide legal guidance to MetLife's business in connection with the roll-out of new paid family and medical leave programs and on various insurance law issues.
• Support thought leadership on new and updated leave laws and on insurance-related matters.
• Draft and negotiate a variety of customer agreements.
• Prepare and update contract templates and playbooks to meet business needs, protect the company, and comply with applicable laws.
• Deliver practical, business-oriented advice with a focus on meeting the Company's goals in a legally compliant manner.
• Function as a strategic partner to the business on matters of importance to the Company by providing thoughtful, creative, and timely legal advice.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
Required:

• Juris Doctorate and excellent academic credentials from an ABA-accredited school.
• 3+ years of relevant experience either with a law firm, insurance company or other financial services institution.
• Bar admission and active license to practice law in at least one state and a member in good standing of the bar, ability to register as in-house counsel.
• Ability and willingness to obtain a limited license if not already appropriately licensed in New York or another jurisdiction required by MetLife.
• A strong work ethic and customer-service mentality.
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively with a variety of internal stakeholders (corporate business partners, team members, functional colleagues, etc.).
• Ability to work collaboratively and build effective partnerships.
• Proactive and solution oriented. Interest in continuous quality improvement in the delivery of legal services.

Preferred:

• Prior experience advising on leave and absence management products or on employment matters.

At MetLife, we're leading the global transformation of an industry we've long defined. United in purpose, diverse in perspective, we're dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers.
The salary range for applicants for this position is 130900 to 174400.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the 2024 "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™ for 2024, as well as the 2024 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ®, MetLife , through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by empathy, we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
130900 to 174400
#BI-Hybrid