Overview
The Compliance Counsel provides practical legal and regulatory guidance across the organization, with primary responsibility for mortgage lending and servicing and insurance operations. This role researches and interprets applicable requirements, advises business partners, manages assigned matters, and supports the organization’s compliance framework.
This position blends hands-on compliance responsibility with the legal judgment of a licensed attorney. Matters within the role’s scope are handled independently, with significant issues escalated appropriately. The role partners with business stakeholders to identify and mitigate regulatory risk.
Responsibilities
- Advise business partners on federal and state mortgage, consumer financial protection, and insurance laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, policies, procedures, products, and business practices—balancing legal and regulatory requirements, risk management objectives, and business goals.
- Research, analyze, and interpret federal and state legal and regulatory requirements applicable to mortgage lending, servicing, and insurance activities, including consumer protection, privacy, advertising, and related compliance requirements.
- Advise on insurance licensing requirements for individuals and entities, as applicable.
- Advise on insurance sales, marketing, solicitation, disclosure, and customer communication requirements.
- Review business practices, processes, products, documentation, agreements, marketing materials, and proposed initiatives to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks.
- Independently manage assigned legal and compliance matters from intake through resolution, including corrective action planning.
- Draft, review, and negotiate legal, regulatory, compliance, and business documents within the scope of the position’s responsibilities.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments and assess their impact on company policies, procedures, controls, products, operations, and business practices.
- Support regulatory change management, including impact assessments, implementation planning, stakeholder coordination, and ongoing monitoring of regulatory obligations.
- Develop, implement, maintain, and enhance compliance programs, policies, procedures, controls, and monitoring activities.
- Coordinate with outside counsel on assigned matters; communicate business objectives; evaluate legal advice and work product; and facilitate timely resolution.
- Prepare materials for and participate in compliance, risk, and governance committees, providing clear, practical, and business-oriented legal and compliance advice to management.
- Present well-reasoned conclusions, risk assessments, and practical recommendations to Legal leadership and business stakeholders.
- Comply with all company policies and procedures.
- Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Individual contributor with no direct reports; may provide guidance, leadership, or training to others.
Qualifications
- Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
- Practical, solutions-oriented judgment and the ability to communicate complex requirements clearly.
- Ability to manage multiple matters independently, prioritize effectively, and escalate issues appropriately.
- Collaborative approach and ability to build effective relationships with Legal, Compliance, operations, and business teams.
Education and Experience
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; continued good standing is required throughout employment.
- 5+ years of relevant legal, regulatory compliance, financial services, or related experience preferred. Relevant law firm, in-house, government, clerkship, or other directly applicable experience may be considered.
- Experience with mortgage lending or servicing, insurance, consumer finance, financial services, or another highly regulated industry preferred. Experience with mortgage and insurance regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to research and interpret federal and state laws and regulations, analyze complex issues, exercise sound judgment, and provide concise, business-oriented advice.
- Experience drafting and reviewing legal, regulatory, compliance, or business documents and managing matters across multiple stakeholders.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Active license to practice law and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; continued good standing is required throughout employment.
Work Complexity
- Problems and issues are difficult and complex and may require understanding of a broader set of issues.
- Problems typically involve consideration of multiple issues and understanding of the financial/mortgage industry.
- Solutions are typically achieved through drawing from prior experience and analysis of issues.
Work Environment
- Typical interior office work environment with moderate noise levels; not subject to hazardous or unpleasant elements.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Physical Demands
- Frequently required to sit and talk or hear.
- Occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
- May occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
- Commitment to equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
ADA Statement
- Applicants and employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Applicants and employees are encouraged to meet with Human Resources; reasonable accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
Additional Information
- Duties and responsibilities reflect the general duties and responsibilities necessary to perform essential functions and are not all-inclusive.
- Specific job duties may be changed with or without prior notice based on the organization’s needs.