Associate General Counsel III

Edward Jones; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and prescription drug

401k retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick time

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Edward Jones in Tempe, AZ seeks an attorney with deep experience in complex litigation and trial practice. The role involves leading litigation strategy, managing outside counsel, and advising business partners on regulatory matters within the financial services industry.

The ideal candidate will have first or second chair trial experience, strong judgment and communication skills, and a proven ability to balance litigation demands with business priorities while upholding the highest ethical

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of complex litigation and trial practice.
• First or second chair trial experience preferred.
• Ability to partner with business stakeholders on regulatory initiatives.
• Experience with arbitration and financial services matters.
• Strong judgment, initiative, and ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage litigation portfolio in court and arbitration forums.
• Develop and implement litigation strategy for complex matters.
• Oversee outside counsel and coordinate with business partners.
• Improve internal litigation processes and risk assessment.
• Educate stakeholders on pending matters and regulatory changes.

Skills

Complex litigation

Trial experience

Regulatory matters

Securities law

Arbitration experience

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

This job posting is anticipated to remain open for 30 days, from 03-Sep-2026. The posting may close early due to the volume of applicants.

Join a financial services firm where your contributions are valued. Edward Jones is a Fortune 500¹ company where people come first. With over 9 million clients and 20,000 financial advisors across the U.S. and Canada, we’re proud to be privately-owned, placing the focus on our clients rather than shareholder returns.

Behind everything we do is our purpose: We partner for positive impact to improve the lives of our clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. We are an innovative, flexible, and inclusive organization that attracts, develops, and inspires performance excellence and a sense of belonging.

People are at the center of our partnership. Edward Jones associates are seen, heard, respected, and supported. This is what we believe makes us the best place to start or build your career.

View our Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report.

¹Fortune 500, published June 2024, data as of December 2023. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating.

The individual selected for this role will enjoy the benefit of working for a well-established 100-year old Fortune 500 firm; but will be at the forefront of enterprise-level changes and have the opportunity to be a key source of influence within the Firm. Qualified individuals shall come prepared to leverage prior civil litigation skills and complex case experience to defend the Firm's interests and advise the Firm's key business stakeholders.

The role will allow the successful candidate to be a thought leader within the Firm, and will afford the opportunity to work on a diverse set of legal issues across a spectrum of complex matters, including lawsuits and arbitrations of consumer and competitive industry matters. The role involves in-depth partnership with division and business leaders, a proactive and innovative approach, and risk‑assessment acumen.

The individual selected will be responsible for demonstrating strong initiative with measured results in the following areas:

• Manage litigation pending in court and before industry arbitration panels.
• Conduct merits hearings/trials in industry arbitration.
• Develop and implement strategy around and manage complex civil litigation.
• Manage outside counsel in driving litigation strategy.
• Create and/or improve existing internal litigation processes.
• Formulate and execute effective strategies to identify and assess risk throughout the Firm, and educate business partners about pending litigation matters and processes.
• Engage associates and leaders throughout the Firm to leverage their subject matter expertise in rendering advice and directing litigation.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.

The ideal candidate is a self‑starting individual responsible for managing pending and ongoing litigation; developing and implementing litigation strategy across a variety of matters; and partnering with leaders within the Firm to provide advice around emerging and ongoing initiatives, and in response to a frequently‑changing regulatory environment. Success in this role requires more than exceptional legal ability. The successful candidate will be a trusted partner who demonstrates impeccable judgment, strong emotional intelligence, and the ability to build credibility and productive relationships throughout the Firm.

• The role requires an attorney with deep knowledge and experience with complex litigation and trial practice, with first or second chair trial experience preferred.
• It is crucial that the successful candidate is able to successfully partner with business stakeholders within the Firm to provide advice and build understanding around emerging and ongoing initiatives and in response to changing regulatory environments.
• The successful candidate must demonstrate initiative and have the ability to innovate and add value in a dynamic litigation and regulatory environment while balancing competing time demands from managing a broad litigation portfolio.
• Experience managing portfolios of litigation.
• Experience representing financial industry clients in arbitration is preferred.
• Experience within the financial services industry, and knowledge of securities law, litigation, and FINRA arbitrations is preferred, but not required depending upon other relevant complex litigation accomplishments.
• Familiarity with regulatory issues in the securities industry, including ones involving the SEC, FINRA, and state securities regulators will be particularly beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze and resolve complex matters is required.
• The ability to lead, delegate, and mentor with a desire to work well with others to achieve common goals is required.
• The successful candidate must be highly organized, detail‑oriented, resourceful, and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Sound judgment, decision making, and conflict resolution skills are required.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to develop productive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, business partners, outside counsel, opposing counsel, and colleagues.
• The successful candidate must have the ability to be proactive and drive matters to conclusion.
• The successful candidate must have the ability to think independently and strategically; and to execute tactically.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing team culture.
• Exceptional judgment and ability to evaluate legal, business, reputational, and operational risks in complex and unchartered situations.
• Excellent communication skills and decision‑making ability are required.
• Proven ability to influence outcomes through collaboration, credibility, and effective communication rather than positional authority.
• Strong cross‑function collaboration skills and ability to build legal understanding with business partners in order to achieve workable solutions is required.
• Commitment to a high level of ethics, professionalism, and confidentiality is required.
• Ability to balance vigorous advocacy with practical problem‑solving and business partnership.

At Edward Jones, we are building a place where everyone feels like they belong. We're proud of our associates' contributions to the firm and the recognitions we have received.

Check out our U.S. awards and accolades: Insights & Information Blog Postings about Edward Jones

Check out our Canadian awards and accolades: Insights & Information Blog Postings about Edward Jones

Edward Jones does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Edward Jones' compensation and benefits package includes:

• medical and prescription drug, dental, vision, voluntary benefits (such as accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness), short- and long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage.
• Short- and long-term disability, basic life, and basic AD&D coverage are provided at no cost to associates.
• Edward Jones offers a 401k retirement plan, and tax‑advantaged accounts: health savings account, and flexible spending account.
• Edward Jones observes ten paid holidays.
• Edward Jones provides 15 days of vacation for new associates beginning on January 1 of each year, as well as sick time, personal days, and a paid day for volunteerism.
• Associates may be eligible for bonuses and profit sharing.
• All associates are eligible for the firm's Employee Assistance Program.