Associate Operations Counsel (Remote Opportunity)

First American; Illinois; Remote; USD 112,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k

PTO / paid sick leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

First American is seeking an Associate Operations Counsel to provide in-house legal and regulatory guidance on mortgage servicing and document requirements. You will draft and review contracts, policies, and forms while interfacing with regulatory authorities and internal teams.

The role emphasizes research-based interpretation of federal and state mortgage servicing laws, with collaboration across operations, product, technology, and compliance to implement changes.

Qualifications

• Law degree required and licensure to practice law in the US.
• Experience with residential mortgage servicing regulations, compliance, and documentation.
• Familiarity with RESPA, TILA, and related federal/state requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and guidance focused on mortgage servicing documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Research and interpret federal and state mortgage servicing laws and investor requirements to ensure documents remain compliant.
• Review, develop, and maintain mortgage servicing documents and forms for regulatory and investor requirements.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess impact on documents and processes.
• Collaborate with internal teams to address servicing documentation questions and implement regulatory changes.
• Engage with clients' legal and compliance contacts to resolve questions and concerns.

Skills

Regulation X (RESPA) knowledge

Regulation Z (TILA) knowledge

Document review

Legal research

Communication skills

MS Office proficiency

Education

Law degree

Admitted to practice law in the US

Licensed to practice law in good standing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for eleven consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We Do

Associate Operations Counsel provides in-house legal and regulatory advice relative to topics affecting the mortgage servicing and origination industry, particularly around mortgage servicing document requirements; provides legal counsel to operational teams; drafts contracts, policies and product forms; occasionally interfaces with regulatory authorities and reports to management on changes in applicable law and regulatory trends in the industry.

What You’ll Do

• Facilitate the business objectives of the Division(s) supported and Company by providing timely and effective legal support while minimizing potential legal exposure and risk.
• Provide practical, timely, and high-quality legal counsel and guidance to the Company divisions and departments supported, with a primary focus on mortgage servicing documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Research and interpret federal and state mortgage servicing laws, regulations, and investor requirements to ensure servicing documents, forms, and related processes remain compliant.
• Review, develop, and maintain mortgage servicing documents and forms, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable regulatory and investor requirements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and evaluate their potential impact on mortgage servicing documents, systems, and business processes.
• Partner with internal operations, product, technology, and compliance teams to address servicing documentation questions, support product enhancements, and implement regulatory changes.
• Work with clients' legal and compliance contacts to research and resolve mortgage servicing-related questions and concerns.

What You’ll Bring

• Law Degree required.
• Admitted to practice law in the US.
• Typically has 1-3 years of professional experience in area of specialization.
• Licensed to practice law, in good standing.
• Direct experience with residential mortgage servicing regulations, compliance, and documentation.
• Working knowledge of Regulation X (RESPA), Regulation Z (TILA), and applicable federal and state mortgage servicing requirements.
• Experience researching, reviewing, or developing mortgage servicing documents, forms, and borrower communications.
• Familiarity with government agency and investor requirements affecting mortgage servicing.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into practical documentation, system, or operational solutions.
• Comfortable performing detailed, hands-on legal research and documentation review while working independently and collaboratively with business teams.
• Developed legal research, written and verbal communication skills.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and work under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload and balance competing priorities.
• Ability to build and maintain rapport with superiors, peers, subordinates, and external company contacts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.

Pay Range: $112,400.00 - $149,800.00 AnnuallyThis hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

** Note that the following statements only apply to candidates who will be working from an unincorporated area within Los Angeles County. **

First American will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws (e.g., the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act).

First American intends to conduct a review of an applicant's criminal history in connection with a conditional offer. First American reasonably believes that a criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following material job duties for this position potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: handling of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to First American or its customers, administrating or facilitating financial transactions, and the ability to meet customer-imposed criminal history requirements.

What We Offer

By choice, we don't simply accept individuality - we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First culture is inclusive for all employees - not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.