January 21, 2008
Shop Talk: Christopher Collins
A Legal Perspective At Unum
J. Christopher Collins loves his job at the life and disability insurer Unum and loves the city of Worcester, where he's worked for the past 24 years. Up until recently, he was senior vice president at Unum, heading the insurer's office in Worcester. But he's added a new title - general counsel for all of Unum's U.S. businesses. Here he discusses his passion for his work and for Worcester, as well as whether the city is big enough for both him and his brother Michael Collins, the interim chancellor at UMass Medical School.
Yes. It's a much broader management responsibility of the legal department. Our Unun U.S. legal operations have about 200 people in it, including 56 lawyers, a group of compliance professionals, paralegals and administrative staff. I grew up as a litigator in the company and was responsible for litigation, but now my responsibilities are broader for all of the legal services that we provide to our U.S. operations.
We're the largest provider of group and individual income protection insurance in the U.S. But we also have life insurance offerings, critical illness and what we call voluntary workplace benefits.
The competitive landscape has changed quite a bit. And I think probably the biggest issue going on in insurance is the cost of health care. That has kind of an indirect effect on our business because a lot of our business is sold at the workplace and many times is supported by employers paying a portion of the premium. There's only so many premium dollars to go around, so that has some impact on our business.
It was kind of a natural progression for me. There're a lot of notions of history in law so it really peeked my interest.
I feel so lucky that I've been able to progress in my career but stay here. Some of it is just how things worked out through these different mergers and acquisitions that we've been through. I did have a specialty in litigation, which allowed me to stay in Worcester but manage people that work at other sites. I also like to think some of it is just plain hard work that has allowed me to continue to progress in my career. I've also played a role as senior executive for the company here in Worcester and have been allowed to do a lot of community activities. I really love that part of my job.
I'm an eternal optimist about Worcester and it's mostly because I really understand some of the great strengths that are here. And it does start with the people and it starts with a tremendously educated workforce. There's a lot of really great aspects of the quality of life here in Worcester - everything from the colleges that we have here to the places like the art museum to the opportunities that you have to really get involved in a city of this size.
It's plenty big enough. It's great. I really admire Michael. He's a very impressive person.
You know, I've always loved this business. From the outside it looks rather staid, but it's dynamic. It has so many publics that it's serving. Working for a public company in 2008 is a real challenge. You've got stockholders, policy holders and customers. You've also got all these various government regulatory bodies, rating agencies, analysts, employees. The list goes on with all the different intersections that are happening day to day. It's really dynamic and exciting.
J. Christopher Collins loves his job at the life and disability insurer Unum and loves the city of Worcester, where he's worked for the past 24 years. Up until recently, he was senior vice president at Unum, heading the insurer's office in Worcester. But he's added a new title - general counsel for all of Unum's U.S. businesses. Here he discusses his passion for his work and for Worcester, as well as whether the city is big enough for both him and his brother Michael Collins, the interim chancellor at UMass Medical School.
J. Christopher Collins, Senior VP and General Counsel, Unum U.S.Do you have any new responsibilities that come along with your new title?
J. Christopher Collins, Senior VP and General Counsel, Unum U.S.
Yes. It's a much broader management responsibility of the legal department. Our Unun U.S. legal operations have about 200 people in it, including 56 lawyers, a group of compliance professionals, paralegals and administrative staff. I grew up as a litigator in the company and was responsible for litigation, but now my responsibilities are broader for all of the legal services that we provide to our U.S. operations.
What type of insurance does Unum sell?
We're the largest provider of group and individual income protection insurance in the U.S. But we also have life insurance offerings, critical illness and what we call voluntary workplace benefits.
What changes have you seen in how the insurance business operates?
The competitive landscape has changed quite a bit. And I think probably the biggest issue going on in insurance is the cost of health care. That has kind of an indirect effect on our business because a lot of our business is sold at the workplace and many times is supported by employers paying a portion of the premium. There's only so many premium dollars to go around, so that has some impact on our business.
What made you decide to go to law school?
It was kind of a natural progression for me. There're a lot of notions of history in law so it really peeked my interest.
What's kept you here working in Worcester?
I feel so lucky that I've been able to progress in my career but stay here. Some of it is just how things worked out through these different mergers and acquisitions that we've been through. I did have a specialty in litigation, which allowed me to stay in Worcester but manage people that work at other sites. I also like to think some of it is just plain hard work that has allowed me to continue to progress in my career. I've also played a role as senior executive for the company here in Worcester and have been allowed to do a lot of community activities. I really love that part of my job.
What are your hopes for Worcester?
I'm an eternal optimist about Worcester and it's mostly because I really understand some of the great strengths that are here. And it does start with the people and it starts with a tremendously educated workforce. There's a lot of really great aspects of the quality of life here in Worcester - everything from the colleges that we have here to the places like the art museum to the opportunities that you have to really get involved in a city of this size.
Your older brother Michael Collins is interim chancellor at UMass Medical School after serving as chancellor of UMass Boston. How is it having your brother working down the street? Is the city big enough for the two of you?
It's plenty big enough. It's great. I really admire Michael. He's a very impressive person.
What gets you out of bed every morning?
You know, I've always loved this business. From the outside it looks rather staid, but it's dynamic. It has so many publics that it's serving. Working for a public company in 2008 is a real challenge. You've got stockholders, policy holders and customers. You've also got all these various government regulatory bodies, rating agencies, analysts, employees. The list goes on with all the different intersections that are happening day to day. It's really dynamic and exciting.
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