Associate Attorney

Renovo Financial; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Renovo Financial in Chicago seeks an Associate Attorney to provide legal counsel on mortgage lending, servicing, compliance, and regulatory matters. You will collaborate with multiple departments to advise on risks and ensure adherence to laws and internal policies.

The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and clear communication with diverse stakeholders. Minimum 5+ years in mortgage law and a JD are expected. This is an in-office position in downtown Chicago.

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• 5+ years’ experience practicing law in the mortgage industry or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and organizational skills, especially in managing contracts and compliance documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel and guidance to internal stakeholders on complex mortgage lending, servicing, compliance, and regulatory matters affecting business operations and growth initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis on evolving financial regulations, emerging case law, and regulatory guidance.
• Proactively monitor and interpret industry regulations to ensure alignment with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Take internal ownership for tracking contested foreclosure and other default matters, including borrower bankruptcy, guaranty pursuit, complex title matters, and loss mitigation strategies and documentation, through active review of case files and documentation.
• Lead a structured review of foreclosure and other default resolution processes and timelines across jurisdictions, identifying gaps between projected and actual timelines and assessing the quality and alignment of communications between foreclosure processors and outside counsel.
• Develop and maintain jurisdiction-specific playbooks addressing judicial vs non-judicial proceedings, guarantor recourse strategy, receivership pursuit, borrower bankruptcy strategy, complex title matters, loss mitigation strategies and documentation, and arbitration considerations and monitor ongoing adherence to those playbooks.

Skills

Legal research

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Contract management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

Renovo Financial is a dynamic and fast-growing private lender and mortgage servicer based in Chicago, dedicated to partnering with real estate investors who acquire and renovate single and multi-family residential properties. We take pride in delivering exceptional support to our clients, guiding them seamlessly from loan application to pay off with a commitment to unparalleled service. Our focus on reliability and a “win-win” approach has earned us an industry-leading repeat and referral rate, reflecting the strong relationships we build with our clients.

Position Summary

The Associate Attorney will play a crucial role in providing legal counsel and support to our organization in matters related to mortgage lending, compliance, and regulatory affairs. You will collaborate with various departments to advise the company on legal risks and to ensure adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, an eye for detail, understanding of mortgage industry regulations, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Legal Advisory and Regulatory Compliance

• Provide strategic legal counsel and guidance to internal stakeholders on complex mortgage lending, servicing, compliance, and regulatory matters affecting business operations and growth initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis on evolving financial regulations, emerging case law, and regulatory guidance.
• Proactively monitor and interpret industry regulations, procedures, and controls to ensure alignment with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Take internal ownership for tracking contested foreclosure and other default matters, including borrower bankruptcy, guaranty pursuit, complex title matters, and loss mitigation strategies and documentation, through active review of case files and documentation, with a focus on ensuring adequate reporting infrastructure and elevating these matters within regular default and foreclosure meeting cadences.
• Lead a structured review of foreclosure and other default resolution processes and timelines across jurisdictions, identifying gaps between projected and actual timelines and assessing the quality and alignment of communications between foreclosure processors and outside counsel, including evaluation of whether pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, or other default resolution methods require modification.
• Develop and maintain jurisdiction-specific playbooks addressing judicial versus non-judicial proceedings, guarantor recourse strategy, receivership pursuit, borrower bankruptcy strategy, complex title matters, loss mitigation strategies and documentation, and arbitration considerations and monitor ongoing adherence to those playbooks.

Be the Culture

• Bring Renovo’s values to life through your actions, choices, and commitment to a shared purpose.

What We Look For

• Must be a licensed attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• At least 5+ years’ experience years of experience practicing law in the mortgage industry or related field
• At least 3 days in office in downtown Chicago
• Strong understanding of federal and state mortgage regulations
• Residential or commercial mortgage loan foreclosure and default resolution experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders
• High attention to detail and organizational skills, especially in managing contracts and compliance documentation

At Renovo, we’re building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills because we believe diverse voices make us stronger. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants of all identities and experiences.