Senior Corporate Counsel

Desert Financial Credit Union; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Desert Financial Credit Union is seeking a Senior Corporate Counsel to provide advanced legal support across regulatory, transactional, and operational matters. You will negotiate complex contracts, guide corporate governance, and mentor junior attorneys within the Legal Department.

You will lead litigation efforts, manage outside counsel, and advise on ADA/FMLA, privacy, and compliance issues. A strong background in financial services and banking is preferred.

Qualifications

• JD from ABA-accredited law school required.
• 5+ years as practicing attorney in commercial transactions, litigation, financial institution, banking, or consumer protection law.
• 1+ years of Banking/fintech/financial institution experience preferred.
• 1+ years of Payments, lending, money movement experience preferred.
• Law Firm Experience Preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal, compliance, regulatory, and risk management advice to the credit union and its subsidiaries on operations, contracts, and complex transactions.
• Independently lead litigation and manage outside counsel, directing discovery and case strategy.
• Advise on employee and leave matters in compliance with ADA, FMLA, state and local regulations.
• Mentor and guide junior attorneys and staff on contract negotiation and regulatory issues.
• Develop enterprise-wide legal and compliance policies and procedures; identify risk and improve contracting and procurement processes.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Litigation management

Financial institutions

Policy development

Mentoring

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

The Senior Corporate Counsel reports to the General Counsel and functions under the direction and supervision of more senior attorneys in the Department. Serving as a member of the Legal Department for the credit union and each of its subsidiaries. The Senior Corporate Counsel is responsible for providing advanced legal support across a wide range of operational, transactional, and regulatory matters and represents the company in complex contract negotiations, regulatory exams, and dispute resolution. The Senior Corporate Counsel provides experienced legal advice on a wide range of topics, including regulatory compliance, employment, corporate governance, litigation, and privacy, while contributing to strategic decision-making and mentoring junior counsel.

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, exercising independent legal judgment, including (a) drafting, negotiating, and advising on moderate to high-risk contracts, commercial real estate acquisitions and leases, construction agreements, marketing and sponsorship agreements, software and licensing agreements, and other complex transactions; (b) drafting and revising corporate formation and organization documents; (c) researching and drafting developing and advising on policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and best practices; and (d) advising on legal, risk and compliance issues related to credit union products and operations.
• Independently lead litigation and pre-litigation disputes, including managing outside legal counsel, developing and recommending case strategy, directing discovery, advising business stakeholders, and representing the credit union and its subsidiaries in mediations, arbitrations, and other dispute cannels to resolve matters efficiently.
• Provide legal advice on employee and leave matters in compliance with ADA, FMLA, state and local regulations.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to other attorneys, paralegals, and staff on contract negotiation, legal risk assessment, and regulatory issues, promoting a consistent and efficient approach across the department.
• Collaborate with attorneys to develop, update, and implement enterprise-wide legal and compliance policies and procedures; identify areas of potential improvement and risk mitigation in contracting, procurement, and operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you will need:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school required.
• 5+ years of experience as a practicing attorney with a focus in commercial transactions, litigation, financial institution, banking, or consumer protection law required.
• 1+ years of Banking, fintech, and financial institution experience preferred.
• 1+ years of Payments, lending, money movement experience preferred.
• Law Firm Experience Preferred.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements of credit unions, retail banking, or other financial institutions or fintech companies preferred.
• Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to multitask, focus, and prioritize multiple projects under pressure to meet deadlines required.
• Strong Research, Writing And Negotiation Skills Required.
• Seasoned business acumen with the ability to distill complex legal requirements into actionable advice to further business objectives required.
• Ability to identify, advise on, and mitigate legal an operational risk required.
• Working knowledge of the business requirements and risks associated with marketing, lending, retail banking, commercial banking, consumer banking, information technology, or data privacy preferred.
• Experience managing commercial litigation matters, including case strategy, discovery management, motion practice, and negotiating directly with opposing counsel; sound judgment in evaluating litigation risk and exposure and recommending resolution strategies (settlement, trial, or otherwise) to senior leadership required.
• Licensed in the State of Arizona OR must be eligible to practice in the State of Arizona within 3 months required.
• Member of the Arizona Bar (in good standing) required.
• Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona, and all other Arizona State Courts required.
• Admitted to practice in the District of Arizona required.
• Eligible to be admitted to practice pro hac vice in the federal and state courts of other jurisdictions 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.