Lead Counsel, Wealth Management & Advisor Growth

Equitable; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 274,000; Full time

Job summary

Equitable is seeking a highly skilled Counsel for Wealth Management & Advisor Growth. You will serve as the primary legal partner supporting recruitment, onboarding, and acquisitions of books of business for our wealth management platform.

This role requires deep experience with sophisticated transactions and strong collaboration with senior leaders. The position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule with 2–3 days on-site and opportunities to influence strategic initiatives across the wealth

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing.
• 5+ years of legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house environment, with significant wealth management/broker-dealer/RIA experience.
• Demonstrated success advising business leaders on complex transactional, commercial, and strategic matters.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and deal-structuring expertise with high-value transactions.
• Experience advising on restrictive covenant matters including non-solicitation and non-compete.
• Strong business judgment balancing legal risk with business objectives.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and transactions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong executive presence and communication across legal, compliance and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead legal advisor to Equitable's Wealth Management business on strategic growth initiatives and advisor recruitment transactions.
• Structure, draft, and negotiate complex agreements (Asset Purchase, Asset Retention, Loan, Promissory Notes, Recruiting and transition agreements).
• Provide guidance on recruitment/onboarding of experienced financial professionals and advisor groups; advise on acquisitions of books of business.
• Advise on restrictive covenants and transition-related provisions; review candidate applications and onboarding documentation.
• Lead engagements with outside counsel and manage complex matters including debt recovery.
• Partner with Compliance, Litigation, Risk and business leaders on regulatory considerations.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks and deliver practical, business-focused solutions.
• Help develop scalable legal processes to support growth in Wealth Management.

Skills

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active bar membership

5+ years legal experience

Wealth management experience

Experience with broker-dealers/RIA

Drafting and negotiation

Deal structuring

Regulatory/compliance knowledge

Executive presence & communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Equitable is seeking a highly skilled Counsel for Wealth Management & Advisor Growth. You will serve as the primary legal partner supporting recruitment, onboarding, and acquisitions of books of business for our wealth management platform.

This role requires deep experience with sophisticated transactions and strong collaboration with senior leaders. The position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule with 2–3 days on-site and opportunities to influence strategic initiatives across the wealth