Legal Officer – Claims Litigation

About the role

First Assurance Kenya, part of Absa Group, is hiring a Legal Officer in its claims legal department in Nairobi (Westlands). The role covers litigation management, legal advice to management, regulatory compliance and supervision of the legal department.

Key responsibilities

• Manage litigation: receive summonses, instruct external lawyers, review their correspondence and opinions, and advise management
• Negotiate claims out of court and keep registers of such matters; review judgments and recommend settlement or appeals
• Prepare witnesses for court, attend hearings on behalf of the company and respond to advocates' correspondence
• Pursue third-party recoveries through suits or out-of-court negotiations and follow up payment of judgments
• Review legal files and maintain accurate reserves; approve discharge vouchers and judgments within approval limits
• Review external advocates' fees against the remuneration order and prepare legal reports and opinions
• Review internal policies and procedures for compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and help management interpret laws and regulations
• Support risk identification and mitigation, and support day-to-day insurance regulatory compliance
• Provide leadership, supervision, training and development of legal department staff, maintain documentation and legal databases, and prepare monthly and quarterly reports

Required profile

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized institution
• Certified Public Secretary (CPS) with a valid and current practicing certificate
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid and current practicing certificate
• Registered member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing
• At least 3 years of legal practice in insurance or financial institutions, with experience in commercial law, litigation and conveyance