Corporate Counsel

Desert Financial Credit Union; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Desert Financial Credit Union in Phoenix, AZ seeks a Corporate Counsel to join its Legal Department, reporting to the General Counsel. The role provides strategic legal guidance across the business, including contract negotiations, compliance, governance, privacy, and disputes, serving the credit union and its subsidiaries.

The successful candidate will lead legal research and drafting, support risk and regulatory matters, review vendor agreements and real estate contracts, and advise on

Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school is required.
• 2+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney is required.
• 2+ years of client service/support experience is required.
• Experience in corporate/financial services/regulatory or in-house practice with contract review is preferred.
• Working knowledge of regulatory environments in financial institutions is preferred.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, assessing, and negotiating contracts is preferred.
• Excellent organizational and logic skills are required.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines under pressure is required.
• Strong legal research, analysis, writing, and communication skills are required.
• Ability to translate research into business solutions and provide risk management advice is required.
• Working knowledge of banking, privacy, governance, vendor management, and related ops functions is required.
• Arizona Bar membership in good standing is required.

Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, and advise on vendor contracts, real estate, construction, sponsorship, software, licensing, and other transactions.
• Revise corporate formation and organizing documents.
• Research and draft policies to ensure compliance and best practices; support risk and compliance questions.
• Research and develop banking-related legal guidance across the enterprise.
• Support contested matters, including discovery, filings, and liaison with outside counsel.
• Support day-to-day employment and leave matters (ADA, FMLA, local leave).
• Oversee member complaint response and regulatory agency communications.

Skills

Legal research

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Job description

The Corporate Counsel reports to the General Counsel and functions under the direction and supervision of senior attorneys in the Legal Department. Serving as a member of the Legal Department for the Credit Union and each of its subsidiaries, Corporate Counsel is responsible for representing the company and providing legal counsel and strategic guidance in contract negotiations, internal risk analysis reviews, and response to dispute matters and member complaints. Corporate Counsel provides legal advice in support of all areas of the business, including but not limited to, legal compliance, employment issues, disputes, contracts, privacy, corporate governance, and other related topics.

What you will do here:

Provide legal, compliance, regulatory, and risk management advice and recommendations to the credit union and its subsidiaries on all areas of operations, including but not limited to:

• Reviewing, negotiating, and advising on low and moderate risk vendor contracts, commercial real estate acquisitions and leases, construction agreements, sponsorship agreements, software and licensing agreements, and other transactions;
• Revising corporate formation and organization documents;
• Researching and drafting applicable policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and best practices;Supporting risk and compliance on questions of law and legal interpretation; and
• Researching and developing advice on banking‑related legal issues across the enterprise.

• Support the credit union and its subsidiaries in contested matters, including assessing claims and defenses, preparing discovery requests and responses, researching and drafting relevant documents and filings, liaising with outside counsel and business stakeholders, and working with opposing counsel to resolve matters.
• Support day to day employee and leave matters, including providing research and guidance on ADA, FMLA, and state and local leave administration compliance.
• Oversee member complaint response and reporting, including working with business stakeholders to investigate complaints and drafting and reviewing responses to regulatory agencies in response to member complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you will need:

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an ABA accredited law school required.
• +2 years of legal experience as a practicing attorney required.
• 2+ years of Client Service/Support experience required.
• Experience in corporate, commercial, financial services, regulatory, or in‑house legal practice with experience in contract review and analysis preferred.
• Working knowledge of regulatory environments such as credit unions, banking, or other financial institutions preferred.
• Experience In Drafting, Reviewing, Assessing And Negotiating Contracts preferred.
• Excellent organizational and logic skills required.
• Ability to multitask, focus, and prioritize multiple projects under pressure to meet deadlines required.
• Strong Legal Research, Analysis, Writing, And Communicating Skills Required required.
• Ability to translate research into business solutions required.
• Ability to provide advice on risk management and mitigation required.
• Working knowledge of legal and regulatory issues affecting financial institutions, including lending, deposits, privacy, contracts, corporate governance, vendor management, and related operational functions required.
• Member of the Arizona Bar (in good standing) required.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.

For additional information about our organization, careers, and benefits visit: http://www.desertfinancial.com/careers.