Associate

We are currently recruiting for an Associate to join DLA Piper’s market-leading Insurance and Reinsurance team in London. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team recognised for its international expertise in handling complex, high-value insurance and reinsurance disputes. The successful candidate will represent insurers and reinsurers across a broad spectrum of dispute resolution processes, including litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. 

The role has a particular focus on Warranty & Indemnity and other forms of Transactional Liability insurance. While there will be some opportunity for exposure to a more diverse range of product lines and global market issues (such as sanctions), predominantly, this role will be focused on advising insurers on the response of (mainly buyer-side) Warranty & Indemnity policies; other Transactional Liability insurance products such as Tax Indemnity policies; with likely exposure also to Contingent Risk and Judgment Protection insurance policies. The role will involve working on cross-border mandates and collaborating with DLA colleagues worldwide (across the US, Europe and APAC). There may also be opportunities to advise on Financial Lines claims (eg Directors & Officers, Financial Institutions Professional Indemnity/Civil Liability and/or Crime). All work will be "coverage" work, ie advising insurers on coverage issues. 

Main duties and responsibilities

• Advise on re/insurance coverage and disputes, leveraging experience gained at a leading regional or City firm.
• Predominantly provide specialist advice on Warranty & Indemnity claims and broader Transactional Liability risks; as required, also advising on Financial Lines claims (eg Directors & Officers, Financial Institutions Professional Indemnity/Civil Liability and/or Crime).
• Lead the instruction of financial and forensic experts specialised in accounting, loss and valuation issues in the context of Transactional Liability claims.
• Manage multi-jurisdictional mandates and co-ordinate with international legal teams.
• Deliver high-quality legal services in a timely and professional manner, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and professional standards.
• Deliver high-quality written work product tailored to client needs and spanning across detailed written reports, client Memos, PowerPoint presentations and focused email content.
• Communicate effectively and build strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate within a high-performing team, sharing knowledge and contributing to collective success.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for repeat business and client growth, actively developing a network of internal and external contacts.
• Support and lead business development initiatives within the (Re)Insurance sector, contributing to the team’s strategic goals.
• Demonstrate strong technical, commercial, and sector knowledge, with a clear understanding of global re/insurance market dynamics and emerging trends.

Please note: this job profile is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. You may be required to undertake additional tasks or responsibilities as reasonably requested to support the team and wider business.

About you

We do not set upper or lower limits of PQE for any of our vacancies. We have however given an indicative PQE as an approximate guide for applicants. Candidates who have between 1 and 4 years' PQE are likely to have the right level of knowledge and have gained the right level of experience needed to be able to undertake this role. 

Candidates should ideally bring strong experience in insurance and reinsurance coverage and disputes, gained at a leading regional or City firm. Experience advising and representing (re)insurer clients on a range of coverage issues (relative to PQE level) across Warranty & Indemnity and broader Transactional Liability product lines would be highly advantageous; candidates with strong skills and experience of handling claims under eg trade credit, financial lines, directors & officers policies are also likely to have gained highly relevant skillsets. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate:

• A deep understanding of the general insurance technical issues that are key to our clients (such as the duty of fair presentation, the Insurance Act 2015 and subrogation by way of examples), appropriate to their level of PQE.
• Knowledge of the purpose of the Warranty & Indemnity product and its general scope of coverage, appropriate to their level of PQE; general knowledge of the most common types of Warranty & Indemnity claims and the claims experience reported by insurers and brokers in regularly produced publicly available reports.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to staying informed on legal and business developments.
• Strong communication, client relationship, and team collaboration skills.
• The ability to deliver high-quality, timely legal services and respond effectively to client needs.
• A commitment to professional standards and regulatory compliance.
• Experience of leveraging AI and technology to enhance legal services.
• A client-focused mindset and a positive approach to client support.
• A collaborative working style, with a willingness to share knowledge and contribute to team success.
• The ability to identify and act on opportunities for repeat business and client growth.
• A growing network of internal and external contacts, and an interest in developing it further
• Awareness of business development opportunities within the sector, with the ability to contribute to and lead relevant initiatives.

Please note: this job profile is not an exhaustive list of skills and experience that are required for this role.