Senior Counsel

ameriprise; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

In-office culture

Job summary

Ameriprise Financial Services LLC seeks an experienced licensed attorney to support its Retail Advisory business, including managed accounts, financial planning, investment research, and portfolio management. You will provide practical, risk-based legal counsel to enable growth while ensuring regulatory compliance and governance across advisory programs.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Compliance, Risk, and business partners, with in-office collaboration and a client-centric approach to

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• 5+ years supporting retail advisory in financial services.
• Knowledge of Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and FINRA rules.
• Admitted to practice in Minnesota, North Carolina, or eligible for in-house.
• Strong business acumen and ability to provide practical, risk-based legal advice.
• Excellent communication, relationship-management, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on legal, regulatory and strategic matters for advisory products.
• Partner with Compliance and Risk to promote governance and risk management.
• Support development of advisory disclosures, agreements, and client materials.
• Provide guidance on emerging regulatory developments affecting retail advisory.
• Assist with regulatory examinations and inquiries with regulators.
• Serve as trusted legal partner for managed accounts and portfolio management.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Relationship building

Problem solving

Judgment

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Job description

About Our Company

We're a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses - Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

Ameriprise Financial Services LLC. is offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced licensed attorney to become an integral part of the GCO Advice and Wealth Management Practice Group, supporting the firm's Retail Advisory business, including managed accounts, financial planning, investment research, and portfolio management activities. The role provides practical, risk-based legal counsel that supports business growth, innovation, effective risk management, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted legal partner supporting managed accounts, financial planning, investment research, portfolio management, and related advisory solutions.
• Advise business partners on legal, regulatory, and strategic matters affecting advisory products, services, platforms, client offerings, and business initiatives.
• Support the development, enhancement, and governance of advisory programs, disclosures, agreements, and client-facing materials while helping identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks.
• Partner with Compliance, Risk, and other key stakeholders to promote effective governance, sound risk-management practices, and a culture of compliance.
• Provide guidance regarding emerging legal, regulatory, and industry developments affecting retail advisory businesses, including conducting legal research and benchmarking industry practices.
• Support regulatory examinations, inquiries, and interactions with regulators, outside counsel, and industry organizations, as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Strong expertise in the Investment Adviser's Act of 1940, state securities and investment management statutes and regulations (i.e. Regulation Best Interest and FINRA), and applicable self-regulatory organization rules.
• 5+ years of experience as a practicing attorney supporting retail advice offerings in the financial services industry.
• Ability to influence, gain credibility and develop strong working relationships with business partners and external constituencies.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory and industry trends.
• Strong business acumen and ability to provide practical, risk-based legal advice.
• Excellent communication, relationship-management, and collaboration skills.
• Strong judgment, analytical capabilities, and problem-solving skills.
• Admitted to practice law in Minnesota, North Carolina, or eligible for admission as in-house counsel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ERISA requirements applicable to retail advisory offerings.
• Experience supporting SEC, state, FINRA, or other regulatory examinations, inquiries, or enforcement matters.
• Experience supporting managed account platforms, dual registrant business models, or complex advisory offerings.
• Experience partnering with business partners on strategic initiatives.
• Experience mentoring paralegals or other legal professionals.

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must have a valid work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require visa sponsorship for employment in the United States (e.g., H-1B, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, TN).

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders - clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $150,000 - $225,000/ year. We have a pay-for- performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program th