Principal Counsel, Regulatory

FINRA; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 131,200 - 238,300; Full time

Job summary

FINRA is seeking Principal Counsel in the Office of General Counsel, Regulatory Policy. This seasoned attorney advises on regulatory initiatives and rule changes across the full life cycle, briefing senior leadership and preparing Board materials.

The role involves drafting rule proposals, coordinating with SEC and REMA, and presenting at public conferences, with a hybrid work environment and opportunities to influence investor protection and market integrity.

Qualifications

• Law degree and licensed to practice law in applicable jurisdictions.
• Minimum 6 years of directly related legal experience.
• Advanced working knowledge of securities laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Board of Governors and FINRA advisory committees on regulatory initiatives and rule changes under consideration.
• Brief and communicate regulatory initiatives to senior FINRA executives under urgent deadlines.
• Serve as a source of legal expertise within FINRA and provide advice on questions in regulatory policy areas.

Education

JD degree

Bar licensed

Job description

The Principal Counsel in Office of General Counsel (OGC), Regulatory Policy renders legal advice and support in connection with the complete life cycle of new regulatory initiatives and serves as subject matter resource in one or more areas of legal expertise. This position is an experienced individual contributor who demonstrates increasing subject matter expertise and independence.

Essential Job Functions

• Assist in providing advice to the Board of Governors and FINRA advisory committees with respect to regulatory initiatives and rule changes under consideration by the Board.
• Assist in briefing and communicating regulatory initiatives to senior executives of FINRA. Must be able to provide such analysis under urgent deadlines.
• Serve as a source of legal expertise within FINRA in subject areas and provide advice on questions in these subject areas.
• Prepare Board materials that contain sophisticated analyses and discussions of competing policy or political considerations necessary for the informed judgment of the issues by the Board.
• Review and draft new rule proposals, with increased independence; gather and incorporate views of industry participants, other regulators, senior staff and other interested parties; and prepare rule filings to the SEC.
• Work with Regulatory Economics and Market Analysis (REMA) in conducting economic impact assessments of rulemakings.
• Participate in meetings with senior staff of SEC, industry groups and other interested parties concerning regulatory initiatives.
• Present at regulatory policy public conferences and meetings of FINRA advisory committees on areas of subject matter expertise, as required.
• Prepare Regulatory Notices, rule guidance and other correspondence with member firms, their outside counsel and other interested parties.
• Conduct legal and other research into matters of regulatory policy as necessary to (1) develop rule proposals and to respond to internal and external comments, and (2) respond to interpretive and exemptive requests.
• Collaborate across OGC to identify and present original, creative, innovative and sophisticated solutions and proposals for changes to existing rules, including the elimination or reduction of unnecessary regulation and the adoption of new rules.
• Keep abreast of and analyze SEC, industry and other self-regulatory organization initiatives, and develop and maintain strong working relationships with SEC staff and other regulators.
• Demonstrate FINRA’s values.
• Collaborate, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA’s mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Education/Experience Requirements

• A law degree and appropriately licensed to practice law in all applicable jurisdictions based on the relevant licensing requirements.
• A minimum of six (6) years of directly related legal experience.
• Advanced working knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing the securities industry.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

Work Conditions

• Hybrid work environment, with defined in-person presence requirements.
• Occasional travel and extended hours may be required.

Salary Range

For work that is performed in CO, FL, TX, IL, PA, MA, MD, VA, Washington, DC, NY and NJ, the salary range for the corresponding location is disclosed below. FINRA complies with all state and local pay transparency laws and regulations requiring disclosure of salary ranges for the position. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.

CO/FL/TX: Minimum Salary $114,200, Maximum Salary $207,200

IL/PA: Minimum Salary $125,900, Maximum Salary $228,000

MA/MD/VA/Washington, DC: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $238,300

NY/NJ: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $248,700

Equal Opportunity Employer

FINRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected category, including race, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex, or any other status or classification protected by state or local law.