In-House Counsel Jobs

Summary

The Attorney practices broadly in the areas of bankruptcy, lending, collections, repossession/foreclosures, and real estate law. The Attorney prepares legal documents and advises on compliance and other legal issues related to the financial institution.

Essential Functions

• Represent the credit union’s legal efforts to external auditors, examiners, and others as necessary. Interfaces on legal matters with attorneys, vendors, trade associations, law enforcement, volunteers and other institutions.
• Represents the credit union in legal proceedings. Follows established legal practices and courtroom rules.
• Assumes responsibility for performing investigations and preparing and presenting legal cases.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality of all credit union matters.
• Examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuit; Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents; Confer with outside attorney(s) with specialties in appropriate areas of legal issue to establish and verify bases of legal proceedings; Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
• Perform legal risk assessments reporting on strategic opportunities and risk resulting from changes in the regulatory and legal environment and credit union products, services, and operations.
• Support the organization with timely, accurate, and thorough legal research, analysis, and recommendations. Ensure management and staff are informed and equipped to carry out their responsibilities.
• Ensures ethical operations and practices.
• Maintain good public relations with members, court officials, law enforcement, and other legal professionals.
• Responsible for writing and finalizing legal documents such as lending, collections, repossessions/foreclosure, real estate, garnishment and judgments, pleadings, subpoenas, affidavits, statements, complaints, petitions, motions, agreements, and basic legal correspondence.
• Ensure the legal functions are aligned with organizational and departmental goals, values, and culture. Make appropriate decisions and recommendations regarding the credit union’s policies and procedures.
• Work with members and members’ counsel to resolve account transaction issues.
• Prepare and prosecute legal and bankruptcy cases on behalf of the credit union.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective communication and coordination with credit union personnel and management.
• Interact with attorneys and the courts on subpoenas and other legal services received by the credit union.
• Review and negotiate contracts.
• Advise in legal areas concerning lending, collections, repossession/foreclosure, real estate or legal rights and obligations.

Non-Essential Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Expectations

• Exhibits and displays are professional and maintained according to established procedures. Evidence is handled appropriately.
• Legal documents are prepared appropriately and in a timely manner. Effective document controls are established and upheld. Materials are accessible and organized.
• To maintain a working knowledge of banking laws and regulations.
• Legal research is accurate, complete, organized, and legally performed. Interviews are conducted appropriately; Findings are presented in an organized and thorough manner.
• Court procedures and protocols are followed, behavior is appropriate, and the credit union’s professional image is upheld. Agreements are well thought out and effectively presented. Possess considerable knowledge of pleading techniques and court practice, and skill in the presentation of cases in court.
• Possess considerable knowledge of judicial procedure and rules of evidence.

Qualifications

Education: A Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school with NM license in good standing or ability to get licensure within six months.

Experience: Eight to ten years similar or related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: The ability to motivate or influence others is a material part of the job, requiring a significant level of diplomacy and trust. Obtaining cooperation (internally and/or externally) is an important part of the job and a high level of interpersonal skills are critical to the success of this position. Work frequently involves contacts requiring considerable discussion of problems, material presentations, and resolving issues impacting departments or divisions. Thorough knowledge of legal terminology and procedures. Excellent knowledge of laws in particular field of specialty financial institutions. Knowledge of legal documents and their proper format. Thorough knowledge of research sources, methods, and techniques. Thorough knowledge of court procedures. Knowledge of credit union policies and procedures. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to operate related equipment, software applications, and PC equipment.