Assistant General Counsel

Self-Help Credit Union; North Carolina; On-site; USD 98,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Self-Help Credit Union in Durham, NC seeks an Assistant General Counsel to join our Legal Team, with potential senior placement based on experience.

You will handle regulatory compliance matters including Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Bank Secrecy Act, Truth in Lending Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and related laws, and work on labor, contracts, and community development.

The role emphasizes collaboration, clear communication, and a commitment to Self-Help's mission of economic inclusion.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required and Bar admission in the relevant state.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a credit union, bank, or financial regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to analyze complex concepts and craft practical procedures.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Oversee analysis of statutes, rules, regulations, case law and guidance to ensure compliance.
• Conduct legal research and stay up to date on developments in relevant areas.
• Advise and communicate with staff and leadership about opportunities and risks, considering business needs.
• Collaborate with teams to understand objectives and incorporate factors into legal work.
• Draft and negotiate commercial documents (loan agreements, LLC operating agreements, service agreements, leases).
• Become internal subject matter expert on the substantive law areas in your portfolio.
• Provide legal support to other teams as needed.
• Act as a change agent to drive economic inclusion initiatives.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Regulatory analysis

Legal research

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Judgment and decision making

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar Admission

Job description

Who We Are

Self-Help started in 1980 with a focus on economic inequality especially in communities that have faced systemic barriers in building wealth. At the core of what Self-Help does is a drive to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity. In other words, we’re committed to economic justice! Economic Justice means that all communities have the basic infrastructure they need to thrive, from high-quality schools to grocery stores selling fresh food resources that support opportunity at a neighborhood level regardless of demographics, income, or wealth. Since our founding, we’ve constantly sought to find new ways to pursue greater economic justice: from providing fair and affordable loans to working with partners to demand that lawmakers change unjust policies.

Job Description

Self-Help started in 1980 with a focus on economic inequality especially in communities that have faced systemic barriers in building wealth. At the core of what Self-Help does is a drive to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity. In other words, we’re committed to economic justice! Economic Justice means that all communities have the basic infrastructure they need to thrive, from high-quality schools to grocery stores selling fresh food resources that support opportunity at a neighborhood level regardless of demographics, income, or wealth. Since our founding, we’ve constantly sought to find new ways to pursue greater economic justice: from providing fair and affordable loans to working with partners to demand that lawmakers change unjust policies.

We are seeking an Assistant General counsel to join our team in Durham, NC! The successful candidate may be hired into a more senior role based on relevant experience, expertise and demonstrated qualifications.

What You'll Do

The Assistant General Counsel will be a member of Self-Help’s Legal Team with significant responsibility in credit union regulatory compliance, including Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Bank Secrecy Act, Truth in Lending Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and similar laws.

The Assistant General Counsel will also have an opportunity to work on a range of other legal areas depending on experience and interest, including labor and employment, secondary mortgage market transactions, vendor contracts, and other community economic development matters.

• Oversee analysis of statutes, rules, regulations, case law, and other guidance to ensure that Self-Help complies with applicable requirements.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on new issues as they arise, and stay up to date on legal developments within substantive areas.
• Advise and communicate clearly with Self-Help staff and leadership about legal opportunities and risks, with awareness of business and other non-legal considerations.
• Work closely with teams to understand their objectives, goals, and constraints, and incorporate those factors into legal advice and work product.
• Draft and negotiate commercial transaction documents, which may include loan agreements, limited liability company operating agreements, loan purchase and servicing agreements, software and related service agreements, real estate leases, and other financing transaction documents.
• Become internal subject matter expert on the substantive areas of law in your portfolio.
• Provide legal support to other teams within Self-Help as needed, based on the needs of the team and the interest of the successful candidate.
• Act as a change agent to drive Self-Help’s economic inclusion initiatives.
• Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary.

What You'll Need

• Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school and member of the Bar in state where located
• 2 years of experience in credit union, bank, or other financial regulatory environments
• Ability to analyze highly complex concepts and articulate logical, coherent, workable solutions and procedures
• Expert planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Expert analytical and reasoning skills
• Advanced interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Advanced skill in dealing tactfully with all levels of staff and leadership
• Ability to take initiative, apply good judgment, and make sound decisions
• Ability to work in environment that places priority on teamwork and collaboration
• Ability to create strong relationships across multiple types of difference, and to thrive in a diverse and inclusive team environment
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines
• Curiosity, desire to learn, and ability to adapt
• Demonstrated commitment to Self-Help’s mission of ownership and economic opportunity for all
• Ability to demonstrate Self-Help's Core Values:
• Mission Before Self
• Service With Excellence
• Embracing & Promoting Change
• Results Not Credit
• Diversity as Strength
• Financial Sustainability for Mission Impact

Compensation Range

$97,541 - $126,610

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 or more years of experience in a law firm or in-house working on one or more of the substantive areas of law described above
• Working familiarity with credit unions, community economic development activities, finance, or financial institution regulation

Self-Help is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Company Disclaimer

Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.