VP & Associate General Counsel, Commercial Litigation

Description and Requirements
Position: VP & Associate General Counsel, Commercial Litigation
Location(s): 200 Park Avenue
Setting : Hybrid
Reports to: SVP & Chief Counsel, Litigation and M&A
The Team You Will Join
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.
The Opportunity
The position is the Unit Head for the Commercial Litigation Unit of the Litigation Section. The attorney in this position will be responsible for managing a team of approximately six attorneys handling a broad range of litigation and pre-litigation matters relating to MetLife and its related entities' role as an insurer, an investment manager, an issuer of securities and an investor with a substantial portfolio of securities, private equity, real estate, and agricultural investments. The team also handles regulatory enforcement matters with both state and federal regulators in addition to complex litigation matters including commercial disputes, intellectual property, anti-trust, securities class actions and class actions related to our various insurance products.
The candidate must have a proven record of litigation, regulatory enforcement experience, effective team management, implementation of strategic initiatives and risk mitigation practices. The candidate must be able to provide excellent legal and strategic advice to senior level business partners, monitor trends and recommend proactive strategy regarding the changing legal climate on issues relevant to a global provider of income and protection products and services, and have a strong commitment and record to talent development and leadership.
How You'll Help Us Build a Confident Future:

• Key strategic advisor to business clients, members of the Legal Affairs department and control functions on matters and issues arising out of the litigation, regulatory enforcement and pre-litigation docket
• Responsible for identifying and advising senior business clients with respect to risks presented by these matters, managing and resolving those risks, and identifying and driving opportunities to improve processes and business practices which will mitigate risk and better protect the Company
• Critical team member for analysis and resolution of cross-functional matters involving legal, the front office and control functions
• Responsible for end-to-end litigation management and strategy including selecting managing outside counsel, developing and executing strategy including early case resolution, and case resolution
• Independent thinker who provides credible challenge and thoughtful approaches to strategic and tactical decisions
• Responsible for maintaining and nurturing a purpose-driven and best in class team by growing and supporting a culture of excellence and inspiring an inclusive and diverse environment
• Includes day-to-day supervision; mentoring and development; assignment of all matters; all aspects of performance management including goal setting, written performance reviews, regular performance assessment discussions
• Responsible for establishing litigation reserves and disclosure obligations consistent with GAAP And STAT accounting rules
• Assist in developing strategy, driving compliance, and mitigating costs in key areas including e-discovery, matter management and outside counsel management
• Collaborative approach to colleagues and partners inside and outside the Legal Department

What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):

• Significant litigation experience, reflecting a strong record of success and accomplishment, preferably within a well-respected law firm, a large cap public company and/or federal or state law enforcement or regulatory agency.
• Proven track record of excellence in counseling and advising senior management and business leaders on sophisticated commercial litigation cases and in managing complex litigation and regulatory matters.
• Proven leadership skills combined with a strong commitment to diversity, team empowerment and motivation. This includes confidence and ability to attract/identify top talent and provide significant mentoring and advancement opportunities while driving successful results.
• A highly collaborative team player capable of developing and maintaining strong, trusted relationships throughout the organization, upholding and protecting MetLife Success Principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building relationships and effective partnerships internally and externally, including outside counsel and regulators.
• Independent, self-directed, creative and strategic thinker who is both collaborative and decisive, uses sound judgment, exhibits a high degree of professionalism, establishes priorities, adheres to deadlines, works independently, and motivates others.
• Proven track record implementing and delivering on litigation strategy.
• Intellectual curiosity about changing business priorities and circumstances, legal climate, and litigation dynamics around the globe, and how these impact MetLife and the financial services industry.
• Impeccable integrity and ethical behavior with a strong commitment to transparency. An excellent listener with high sensitivity to different cultures and backgrounds. Sound judgment and a strong moral compass.
• JD and state bar admission required.

What Will Give You an Edge (Additional Skills)

• Knowledge of ERISA and state insurance laws and regulations is a plus.

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 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" as well as the 2023 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.
The salary range for applicants for this position is $229,500 - $306,000.
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!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
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.
$229,500 - $306,000
#BI-Hybrid